The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 2090
1863. PCGS graded
Proof 65 Premium Quality. Mintage fell to 460 for the year as the Civil War
dragged on into 1863. This particular gem boasts light gold and blue toning
over gray surfaces, and the devices are extremely well frosted. As always, the
18 of the date are recut low. PCGS has graded 30 as such, with 9 graded higher.
A rare opportunity to snag a tough date in gem proof condition.
Estimated
Value $1,000-1,250.
From the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 2091
1864-S. PCGS graded
MS-62. Satiny luster in the fields, and toned with a medium gold color on
both sides. Well struck by the dies, with sharp curls on Liberty and all the
minute details present on the reverse wreath. The mintage for 1864-S came in at
90,000 reflecting the generally weak economy during the Civil War. Identifiable
by a faint scratch from the top of Liberty's shoulder to the base of the second
T in STATES.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 2092
1865. PCGS graded
Proof 66 Premium Quality. Satiny gray on the obverse, with colored hues
around the periphery of the obverse, more toning on the reverse, with flecks of
gold and brilliant blues at the top. PCGS has only graded 10 this high, with
none graded higher, making this one of the finest known of the date. If you
love satiny and frosted devices, with a bit of colorful toning, then this is
one to obtain.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Michael
Riordan collection.
Lot 2093
1865. PCGS graded
MS-66. A rare and desirable coin in any condition, and here is one of the
very finest known of the date. First off, the Philadelphia Mint coined 13,000
for the entire year, plus an additional 500 proofs. This particular coin shows
the obverse diagnostics of the proofs, with a recut base on the 1 in the date,
and a die scratch from the first T in STATES to the rim, but later the Al
Blythe half dime book notes that this die was also used on business strikes as
well. We note that the obverse of this coin is especially frosty on the
devices, and enhanced by delicate gold peripheral toning, and the reverse is
well matched in color and surface quality. While the fields show some
reflectivity and mirror surface, the coin doesn't have the strike expected for
a proof, notably on the upper reverse wreath, which is characteristically weak
at the area opposite the obverse shield. PCGS has graded only 5 this high, with
a single coin graded higher, which keeps this one high in the condition census
for the date.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Lot 2094
1865-S. PCGS graded
MS-63. A rare date in any grade, especially so in mint state. This
particular coin has satiny gray luster on both sides and shows only a touch of
sunset gold toning. Repunched on the date, with all the digits showing traces
of doubling. We do note that both dies show multiple clash marks, and the
obverse die has a thin curved die line which extends from the shield nearly to
Liberty's knee. The reverse has a bisecting die crack from about 10:30 o'clock
to 4 o'clock. Despite the clashing and crack, the coin is fairly sharp,
especially so on Liberty. It appears that the periphery of the obverse was
lapped, as the letters are thin as well as the dentils. PCGS has graded 5 this
high, and importantly, just a single coin higher as MS-64.
Estimated Value
$1,250-1,500.
Lot 2095
1866. NGC graded
MS-66 Andre Dawson. An extremely rare coin in high grades, with a meager
mintage of 10,000 pieces in all, few of which survived in high grades. In
particular, we note this coin has deep gold and blue toning in the fields over
mint fresh luster. Close examination confirms that the strike is very bold,
with no signs of the usual weakness on Liberty or even on the upper wreath,
which is seldom sharp. There is a trace of a fingerprint which has toned over
the decades, located at the top of the wreath to the rim. As to rarity, NGC has
graded 11 this high, with none graded higher. High in the condition census for
the date, and currently in NGC holder #208114-014.
Estimated Value
$2,500-UP.
From Heritage's Andre Dawson Collection sale, lot 5847.
Lot 2096
1866-S. NGC graded
MS-66. A high grade example of the blundered date variety, as are all
reported of this date (Valentine-1). The blunder is the repunched date (parts
of the 18) being visible to the left of the skirt pendant and right of the
shield. This particular date shows a mintage of 120,000 pieces, but don't
expect to find one easily, most were either melted or lost, with few seen in
any grades, especially in mint state. We note the surfaces are satiny and
white, with no signs of toning on the coin. The strike is very sharp on the
devices, and we note light clash marks in the obverse fields, but heavy clash
marks on the reverse on the right side. Virtually perfect surfaces which show
no signs of contact with other coins. In terms of rarity and condition, this
one is very high, we note NGC has graded 7 this high with just a single coin
graded higher, while PCGS has graded only 2 as high as MS-66. Hence, this is
apparently one of the finest known of the date, and once examined this will
quickly be confirmed by any competent numismatist. Residing in NGC holder
#580639-001.
Estimated Value $4,500-UP.
Lot 2097
1868. PCGS graded
Proof 66 Premium Quality. Tied for the very finest graded by PCGS, this
spectacular coin will almost take your breath away with its stunning toning.
The obverse is encircled with midnight blue with the center completely toned
with a reddish gold color. On the reverse the toning is lighter, with gold
around the periphery and hints of blue at the edges fading to brighter white at
the center. As expected, the surfaces are nearly perfect, and the strike is
sharp save for a small area on the upper left wreath. As a Proof-66, this coin
is quite rare, PCGS has graded 3 this high, with none graded higher!
After years and years of coins bringing only moderate premiums for eye appeal
and lovely toning, at last the market is starting to pay larger premiums for
coins like this. As we often tell customers, if you love a coin at first
glance, you probably won't grow tired of it down the road, if you have to talk
yourself into buying it, then you should pass. This tiny half dime will
certainly make someone very happy.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
From
the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 2098
1869-S. PCGS graded
MS-64. A scarce date in high grades, we note this one is frosty and white,
with strong luster in the fields and no signs of toning. Fully struck by dies,
with crisp details on the wreath and on Liberty's head. On the obverse, we note
the small die chip in the drapery folds above the pendant as described in Al
Blythe's Liberty Seated Half Dimes book. PCGS has graded only 5 this high, with
a single coin graded higher, which gives you some idea of how rare this date is
in high grades.
Estimated Value $700-900.
Lot 2099
1870. NGC graded
MS-66. Gorgeous deep blue toning in the fields, with ankle deep frost on
the devices. The colorful toning continues on both sides, and resides primarily
around the rims. Sharp on the obverse, the reverse does have a trace of
weakness at the upper left of the wreath. Scrutiny will find just a couple of
tiny ticks from handling and scuffs in the right obverse field. Highly eye
appealing for the toning. NGC has graded 8 this high with just 5 graded higher.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 2100
1871. NGC graded
MS-65. Bright white and lustrous, with no signs of toning on this one. This
one has a typical strike, with some peripheral weakness on both sides in the
usual areas.
Estimated Value $700-900.
Lot 2101
1871-S. PCGS graded
MS-64. Hazy gold toning over dancing luster in the fields. Sharp, with no
weak areas noted on the devices.
Estimated Value $400-600.
Lot 2102
1872. PCGS graded
Proof 65. A gorgeous toned example that exudes long storage in National
Pages or something similar as the periphery is toned a brilliant blue, with
reddish gold for the balance, all over frosted devices and well mirrored
fields. There is a small planchet flake in the right obverse field between
Liberty's knee and the R of AMERICA, and this will help identify this coin.
PCGS has graded 19 this high, with 5 higher.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
From the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 2103
1872. PCGS graded
MS-64. Deep green and blue toning around the periphery, and bold. We note a
few faint handling ticks in the fields, which keep this from the gem class, but
it has all the eye appeal and more expected.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 2104
1872-S. Mintmark above
bow. PCGS graded MS-66 Eliasberg. A glowing, lustrous gem that
remains one of the very finest of this date. Toned with a touch of gold in the
lettering, the reverse with speckled toning over luster. Sharply struck
throughout, and just about as nice as the day it was coined. PCGS has graded 7
this high, with just 2 higher. A spectacular gem example of this date.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
From Bowers and Merena's Louis
Eliasberg Sale, May 1996, lot 1033; earlier from W. F. Greany, February 1905 to
the J.M. Clapp collection until 1942, then to the Eliasberg collection.
Lot 2105
1872-S. Mintmark above
bow. PCGS graded MS-66. Satiny and bright, with light golden toning
on both sides, and ample luster in the fields. One of the finest graded of this
variety by PCGS, with 7 seen by that service in MS-66, and only 2 graded
higher. Well struck and likely from a small hoard that was dispersed decades
ago. A perfect type coin.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
Lot 2106
1872-S. Mintmark above
bow. PCGS graded MS-65. Fresh white luster in the fields and sharp.
This one has just a hint of gold toning starting to form, and we note a very
minor spot strategically located at her right armpit. Likely from a small hoard
that came out many years ago. In an old green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated
Value $700-900.
Lot 2107
1873-S. ICG graded
MS-65. Blazing luster and completely white in color. Sharply struck by the
dies, with no signs of weakness anywhere. A few whispy hairlines, but they are
not distracting and can scarcely be seen with a 10X glass.
Estimated Value
$500-600.