The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 3464
1854. Type 2. PCGS
graded MS-63. The all important Type II Indian design. Rarely is this type
found in mint state grades, especially difficult to locate in choice condition!
In particular, the luster is strong in the fields, and the devices are well
struck, including the date, which shows minimal weakness. Frequently the dates
on these tiny coins are very weakly struck. The surfaces show minimal handling
marks or hairlines, and Liberty's face remains particularly fresh and
undiminished. PCGS has graded 173 this high with 218 higher.
Estimated
Value $7,500-UP.
Lot 3465
1854. Type 2.
EF-45. Minor scrapes and handling marks from circulation, but still with
traces of luster. The Type 2 Indian design is much scarcer than the other
types, and always in demand.
Estimated Value $300-350.
Lot 3466
1854. Type 2.
Sharpness of Fine-12 but worn as jewelry. Heavily marked from years of
being worn as jewelry.
Estimated Value $100-125.
Lot 3467
1855. Type 2. NGC
graded MS-66. This one has just a touch of haze over the brilliant luster,
which is the only signs of age. Pristine fields and surfaces that show only the
faintest signs of handling. Sharply struck throughout, with no signs of
weakness even on the highest devices on the curls, or wreath. Lightly clashed
dies, with Liberty's head outlined on the reverse, the only weakness this
caused was at the top of the 8 in the date. NGC has graded only 3 this high,
with 3 graded higher, all MS-67 above, similar at PCGS where they have graded
10 as MS-66, and a scant 3 graded higher, also all MS-67. It is reasonable that
this is one of the very finest graded by either major service, and long known
as one of the most difficult type coins to locate in gem grades. For the
investor or type collector who must have a high end gem, then place a strong
bid on this coin as they are seldom found or offered this nice.
Estimated
Value $40,000-UP.
Lot 3468
1855. Type 2. PCGS
graded MS-64. Here is a near gem example of this truly scarce type coin.
Well struck by lightly clashed dies, as nearly always seen, with a trace of
haze. The 8 in the date is slightly weak, otherwise the devices are clear and
sharp. PCGS has graded 144 of these as MS-64, and we note 40 are graded higher.
An important type coin that is very difficult to locate in top grades, and this
is worthy of a gem collection.
Estimated Value $12,500-15,000.
Lot 3469
1855. Type 2. PCGS
graded AU-58. Rich coppery gold in color, with a few scattered hairlines
from brief circulation. Struck from clashed dies, as usually seen.
Estimated Value $475-525.
Lot 3470
1855. Type 2. NGC
graded AU-55. This one retains about 10 percent luster and nice, even wear
on the high points. Always in demand for the scarce Type II design.
Estimated Value $450-550.
Lot 3471
1855-O. Type 2. NGC
graded AU-50. Some luster in the fields, and we note minor circulation and
handling marks. Scarce as a date, and hard to find any better.
Estimated
Value $800-900.
Lot 3472
1855-O. Type 2. NGC
graded EF-45. One of the scarce early dates that has a mintage of 55,000
pieces, most of which are long gone. This one has some wear, but most of the
design elements are sharp.
Estimated Value $400-450.
Lot 3473
1857-C. NGC graded
AU-58. Struck from clashed dies with minor evidence on the upper obverse
from the wreath. Clean surfaces which show minor handling marks from brief
circulation. About as nice as this date is found, NGC has graded 19 as such,
with 8 graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,300.
Lot 3474
1860. NGC graded
MS-64. Slightly prooflike in the fields and clean surfaces are noted
throughout. There are some planchet marks at IC of AMERICA and these are mint
caused. Scarce this fine.
Estimated Value $750-850.
Lot 3475
1860. PCGS graded
MS-61 Pittman. Hazy gold toning over luster, and minor hairlines.
Estimated Value $180-200.
From David Akers sale of the John J.
Pittman collection.
Lot 3476
1861. NGC graded
MS-63. Satiny luster and only moderate hairlines.
Estimated Value
$575-650.
Lot 3477
1862. NGC graded
MS-64. Satiny luster on both sides and well struck for the early Civil War
date. The dies do not appear to be clashed, which is unusual for these tiny
coins, and hence the devices are bold and the fields undiminished.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 3478
1862. NGC graded
MS-63. Choice color and surfaces for the date collector.
Estimated
Value $575-650.
Lot 3479
1862. NGC graded
MS-63. Bright and lustrous, with a sharp strike from clashed dies and
minimal hairlines.
Estimated Value $575-650.
Lot 3480
1862. PCGS graded
MS-63. Coppery gold toning on both sides and lustrous in the fields.
Estimated Value $575-650.
Lot 3481
1870-S. PCGS graded
MS-64. One of the many rarities from the One dollar gold series, this is
the final mintmarked issue by any of the branch mints. Demand for the tiny gold
dollars was never that high, and only 3,000 were coined for circulation. This
particular example boasts gleaming luster and is fully struck. Both sides
display a touch of orange gold toning, most prominent at the edge. Identifiable
by a trivial hairline scratch from Liberty's lowest curl down towards the right
foot of the last A in AMERICA, and a tiny speck left of the middle post of the
D in DOLLAR on the reverse. PCGS has graded 7 this high, with just 3 graded
higher, making this likely one of the top dozen known of the date. A delightful
coin that will entice the specialist.
Estimated Value $6,000-8,000.
From the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 3482
1870-S. NGC graded
AU-58. Light coppery gold in color, with minimal hairlines and handling
marks from very brief circulation. San Francisco knocked out only 3000 copies
of this, and it has always been a popular mintmarked date with collectors. We
note one thin hairline in the lower right obverse field which will help
identify this one.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,500.
Lot 3483
1871. PCI graded
MS-62 Prooflike. We note some minor hairlines on the delicate reflective
fields. Sharply struck on the devices, with ample frost on Liberty. One of the
many scarce dates in the One Dollar gold series.
Estimated Value $700-900.
Lot 3484
1874. NGC graded
MS-64. Light hazy gold luster and sharp, with minimal handling ticks. One
of the few common dates in this series.
Estimated Value $750-800.
Lot 3485
1874. NGC graded
MS-64. Light hazy gold luster and sharp, with clean surfaces and fields
even for this grade. Better than average.
Estimated Value $750-800.
Lot 3486
1882. PCGS graded
Proof 64. A rare proof issue, only 76 were struck in 1882, and most
suffered through cleanings or other abuse. This near gem boasts rich orange
gold color with a trace of haze around Liberty. Her face and cheek remain
untouched, and we see no contact of any significance there or in the
surrounding fields. On the reverse we see a very faint hairline which bisects
the coin, but this can only be seen at certain angles, giving an indication of
how faint it is. PCGS has graded 13 this high, with 4 graded higher.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
Lot 3487
1887. PCGS graded
MS-63 Premium Quality. Hazy luster and choice, and this one is in the old
small style PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 3488
1889. NGC graded
MS-63. Yellow gold luster with a few minor hairlines accounting for the
grade. Struck by lightly clashed dies.
Estimated Value $525-575.