The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 2203
1838. MS-64.
The first year of issue of the new Seated design, this one shows a good
strike on the devices, but we note the rim is irregular beyond the dentils, and
this is probably as made. Irregular gold toning on the obverse, more white on
the reverse than toned. A few minor hairlines account for the grade, but strong
luster and well preserved. An important coin for the specialist.
Estimated
Value $4,000-6,000.
Lot 2204
1843. NGC graded
MS-64. A really pretty toned coin that has elements of royal blue near the
devices with steel gray elsewhere over luster. Boldly struck throughout and
certainly more eye appealing than most of these early dates we see.
Estimated Value $900-1,100.
Lot 2205
1846. NGC graded
Proof 65. This is part of an 1846 proof set which is being offered by
individual pieces, and elsewhere in this catalog you will find the 1846 half
dime and the 1846 dime in Proof as well as this rare proof quarter. PCGS
estimates that only a dozen were struck of this denomination back in 1846 in
Proof. Toned with lilac gray and gold on both sides, the mirror fields remain
in excellent shape, and the devices are frosted. The proof characteristics
noted in the Breen Encyclopedia are present, and of course, the strike is
exceptionally bold. As nice as this date is found, NGC has graded 4 this high,
with none higher, and PCGS has graded 7 as PR-64, but none higher. All early
proof coinage (prior to 1858) is rare, enough so that precious little research
has been done as so few coins are available for study. This particular coin is
identifiable by a small tick in the field right of the date below Liberty's
heel, and resides in NGC holder #916541-002.
Estimated Value $12,500-UP.
Lot 2206
1849. PCGS graded
MS-64. One of the finest known of this date, this particular one boasts
mottled green, blue and gold toning on the obverse, while the reverse remains
satiny and white. Boldly struck by the dies, and very well preserved. The
reverse shows the diagnostic compass point on the first shield stripe. PCGS has
graded only 3 this high, and importantly, none are graded higher by that
service.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Michael Riordan
collection.
Lot 2207
1853. 3 over 4. Arrows and
rays, FS-003. NGC graded MS-61. What a strange concoction! Here's a
backwards "overdate", or perhaps we should call this a "predate" as the primary
date 1853 obviously comes before 1854, which is the underdate. As noted in
Breen's Encyclopedia, this variety is very rare, and also he notes
"prohibitively rare in mint state". This is borne out in the NGC Population
Report which notes only 5 coins graded in Mint State, all between MS-61 and 63.
This particular one has satiny gray surfaces with intact luster in the fields.
Fully struck from an early die state, with the characteristic repunching on the
853 present, and the recut arrow shaft very plain above the right arrow shaft.
The undertype 4 is primarily visible within the upper loop of the 3, with the
peak just over the top of that digit as well. There is a light die crack
connecting the outer points of stars ten and eleven down towards star twelve at
the rim. Minor handling marks peppered over the surfaces. A rare and seldom
offered coin. In NGC holder #919851-002.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 2208
1854. Arrows. NGC
graded MS-64. Steel gray in color with hints of yellow gold in the fields.
Sharply struck from clashed and cracked dies, as are most of this issue.
Apparently, the arrows caused the dies to crack more rapidly, and most
specimens show a variety of cracks. An important one year type coin, and worth
a good bid as this one is nearly a gem.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,700.
Lot 2209
1855. PCGS graded
Proof 63. A rare proof issue with an estimated number coined of just 20
pieces. Of these, several were lost, and few have been found today residing in
collections., unlike the more common dates after 1859 where several hundred or
even a thousand or more were coined for collectors. Further, this is the with
arrows variety, which for a specialist forming a proof type collection, is
certainly a rare coin to find in Proof grades. The color is a deep steel gray
tone, with areas of blue and rose gold toning intermixed. We note faint
planchet roller lines running in a vertical direction on both sides, and these
were part of the planchet preparation process. Sharp on all the central
devices, with clearly reflective fields around, but we note minor weakness on
the peripheral stars and dentils of both sides. PCGS in their years of grading
note in the Population Report that 4 have been graded this high, with 1 in
PR-64 above and 2 at the top as PR-65 of the 8 total that service has graded.
While we don't know of any pedigree, it should be easy to trace as there is a
small planchet flaw in the field extending to the left out of the right wing of
the eagle. Worthy of the finest collection and seldom offered in proof.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.
Lot 2210
1856-O. PCGS graded
MS-64. A gorgeous example of this sought-after date, this one boasts the
lovely gold, blue and green toning on both sides referred to in the Larry
Briggs reference on the series. Further, note that the strike is exceptional,
all but a couple of the top stars on the obverse are full and complete, and
Liberty and the eagle show no signs of weakness. While this is not the
Eliasberg coin, it is certainly one of the very finest known of the date, PCGS
has graded just 3 this high, with none graded higher! A simply lovely coin that
will be the centerpiece of an advanced date and mint collection.
Estimated
Value $2,500-3,500.
From the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 2211
1858. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Premium Quality. One of perhaps 100 struck of this date in Proof,
and certainly one of the best to survive. The obverse is toned a rich gold
color, with reddish hues in the right obverse field, while the reverse is toned
a dark blue color. As to the surfaces, they are very clean and show no problems
whatsoever. We do note several minor lint marks, including one that connects
the last two stars, and Breen notes this is typical of the date on these
proofs. PCGS has graded just 8 this high, with 3 coins graded higher, all
PR-65. An impressive example for the specialist.
Estimated Value
$2,000-2,500.
From the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 2212
1861-S. VG-8.
Steel gray in color, but we note a minor edge nick on the upper reverse.
Estimated Value $50-60.
Lot 2213
1863. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Rich gold toning with a few flecks of blue on the upper obverse
and well frosted on the devices. The reverse is also gold in color. An
impressive example of this mid Civil War date. In an old green insert PCGS
holder. Desirable in every way.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
From
the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 2214
1864. NGC graded
MS-67. Blazing white in color with a light trace of gold on the reverse
rim. Gorgeous luster and spin on this one when examined under a light. Fully
struck by the dies, and we note faint die cracks around the peripheral devices
and lightly clashed dies on the reverse. Only 93,600 were struck for
circulation and business strike coins are rare in high grades. NGC has graded
only 2 this high, and PCGS one coin as MS-67 and one as MS-68 at the top of the
date. Certainly one of the very finest known of the date, and worthy of the
finest collection. In NGC holder #369801-003.
Estimated Value $9,000-UP.
Lot 2215
1871. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Deep Cameo. This is the only Deep Cameo of the date graded by
PCGS, and was likely one of the very first (if not the first) coin struck by
the proof dies. With each successive strike, more of the frosty cameo finish
wears off the dies from when they are first prepared, and the contrast is
reduced coin by coin. The true Deep Cameo proofs are very rare, on some dates
they are unknown, or perhaps with just a single coin seen. The premiums for
these remain low, but their potential is very great as more and more collectors
desire to own one of these spectacular early proof strikes. Clean surfaces and
with just a hint of gold toning, and mile deep frost on the devices.
Estimated Value $600-800.
Lot 2216
1873. Arrows. NGC
graded Proof 66. Here is a rare coin for the type collector, the with
arrows obverse was used only for part of 1873 and 1874, and very limited
numbers of coins were produced. The surfaces are very clean as expected for the
grade, and further, this one is toned with stunning blues and golds on both
sides. Well mirrored on the fields, and reflective even with the toning. NGC
has graded 9 this high, with just 3 graded higher in proof. Collectors of toned
coins would be hard pressed to ever part with the beauty.
Estimated Value
$7,500-UP.
Lot 2217
1877-S over horizontal S,
The Finest Graded. PCGS graded MS-66. Yes folks, this is the finest
graded by both PCGS and NGC of this important Red Book variety. Both PCGS and
NGC have only graded 1 coin as MS-65, making this MS-66 a standout for the date
and variety. The surfaces are toned with dark gold flecks around the periphery
and the devices are especially frosty. Blazing luster in the fields, and this
would be an amazing coin if it were a common date, but when one considers that
this is the S over horizontal S variety, and that it is the finest graded by
either service, then the gravity of this offering begins to be realized. The
curious mintmark blunder was apparently the result of a die engraver not paying
attention, and tapping the mintmark punch in sideways, then realized the error
and then punched in the mintmark correctly. The tail of the sideways S is very
evident left of the regular mintmark. Identifiable by a tiny tick nestled in
between the eagle's neck and the left wing of the eagle, and in PCGS holder
#4975117.
Estimated Value $6,500-UP.
Lot 2218
1878. Proof 63.
Light gold, blue and russet toning on this piece, with a bold strike
expected for a proof issue. Handling marks and hairlines are at a minimum.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 2219
1881. PCGS graded
Proof 66. Gorgeous deep blue and green at the rims, with rose hues to the
centers on both the obverse and reverse. A rare coin in this grade, PCGS has
seen 20 this high, with just 8 graded higher, all PR-67.
Estimated Value
$2,000-2,500.
Lot 2220
1882. PCGS graded
Proof 65. Magnificent toning on both sides, with deep peripheral blues and
reddish gold towards the centers. Boldly struck and well preserved, and without
any significant flaws keeping this one solidly in the gem class.
Estimated
Value $1,200-1,500.
Lot 2221
1886. NGC graded
Proof 66. A toning delight, with deep blue at the obverse rim and dark gold
in the fields, while Liberty remains bright and well frosted, the reverse with
a more even layer of reddish gold colors and some blue at the lower rim. Superb
surfaces and highly appealing.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 2222
1886. PCGS graded
Proof 64. This one has exceptional eye appeal for the grade. Note the rich
burgandy red and gold toning, with some blue at the rims, and this continues
over both sides. Further, the devices are well frosted. Fully struck and one
you won't ever want to part with, regardless of the grade.
Estimated Value
$600-700.
From the Michael Riordan collection.