Lot 3594
1854. PCGS graded
MS-64. An excellent example of this first year of issue. The fields boast
rich golden luster and a bit of haze. Well struck by the dies and well
preserved, with faint hairlines and just a few scattered ticks keeping this
from the gem class. PCGS has graded only 65 this high, with 17 graded higher.
In an old green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $4,500-5,000.
Lot 3595
1857-S. NGC graded
AU-55. San Francisco pounded out 14,000 of these during 1857, most of which
circulated into lower grades. This particular one has a few minor hairlines but
retains substantial luster. Bold on the devices, especially the wreath and
Mintmark, with the date somewhat shallow in the die, as made. NGC has graded 5
this high, with 8 as AU-58, and then the population trails off, where they have
seen 1 in each grade MS-60, 61 and 62, with none graded higher. Apparently not
many (any?) were found on the S.S. Central America, given that the population
reports don't reflect any significant increase over the last several years.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
Lot 3596
1859. NGC graded
AU-55. Some luster in the fields, and moderate handling marks. A scarce
date.
Estimated Value $750-850.
Lot 3597
1867. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Premium Quality. Nearly a gem, this rare proof coin boasts a
creamy rich halo of gold between the devices and fields and excellent contrast.
Identifiable by a tiny planchet flake just below the post of the D in UNITED in
the field. Superbly made and preserved, early proof gold is so rare and so
seldom found in near gem condition, especially with abundant eye appeal. Only
50 were coined in Proof, of these PCGS has graded 10, 2 of which are impaired.
Remarkably, 6 are graded as PR-64, with a single coin graded above as PR-65 by
that service. Few offerings the past decade, and we suspect this one will
realize a very strong price when it crosses the block.
Estimated Value
$9,000-UP.
Ex: Superior Stamp & Coin Co. Inc.'s Wyatt Sale, October
1985, lot 2709; later in their Blevin's sale, June 1988, lot 6713, and later in
their Michael Keston Sale, January 30, 1996, lot 53 and from the Michael
Riordan collection.
Lot 3598
1868. NGC graded
MS-60. Some stacking marks on the high points. A scarce date, and most of
the luster is present.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,200.
Lot 3599
1870. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Deep Cameo. This is the only 1870 Three dollar gold coin graded
Deep Cameo by PCGS! Check out the contrast between the devices and fields.
Ankle deep frost on Liberty with the mirrored fields showing the familiar deep
orange peel texture. Obviously, this coin was one of the first of 35 struck, as
the deep cameo frost only lasts for the first couple struck by the dies.
Identifiable by a tiny lint mark below the bust near the rim, and another below
the first T of STATES, and on the reverse by a tiny planchet flake below the
ribbon, which lead us to believe with reasonable certainty that this is the
coin we sold in our Brady Bloch Sale in September 1999. Currently in PCGS
holder #50003486. An epic coin worthy of the finest collection in the land. In
the last decade, we were only able to trace two offerings of this date, one in
the Trompeter Sale of 1992, the same coin reappeared in the Michael Keston
Sale, both by Superior, and the Brady Bloch coin.
Estimated Value
$18,000-22,000.
From our Brady Bloch Collection sale, September 1999,
lot 1721.
Lot 3600
1871. PCGS graded
MS-62. With a mintage of only 1,300 pieces, one can assume that not many
are around. On this we note that PCGS in their Population Report note only 12
this high, with 15 pieces graded at various levels above. The surfaces show
minor hairlines and handling, and the coin is fairly well struck, with minor
weakness on the high points. In an old green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated
Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 3601
1874. PCGS graded
MS-63. Greenish gold luster and bright, with fewer than average marks.
Estimated Value $2,900-3,200.
Lot 3602
1874. NGC graded
MS-61. Bright luster and somewhat weak on the high points. Light haze
mostly on the reverse.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,400.
Lot 3603
1877. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Premium Quality. Magnificent orange gold color with well frosted
devices and deep mirror fields. The Philadelphia Mint coined only 20 in proof,
as demand stayed low for these at the time of issue. Perfectly struck by the
dies, with crisp details on Liberty's hair and on the tiny elements of the
reverse wreath too. Examination will locate only the faintest signs of
handling, and these apparently kept this from a higher grade. PCGS has graded
just 2 as PR-64, with 3 graded higher, all PR-65. If you want a highly
appealing example for an advanced collection, then take a look at this jewel.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
From the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 3604
1882. NGC graded
MS-62. This is a nice example of the 2 over 2 recut date. It is important
to carefully examine other examples of this date as there are known
counterfeits of this variety by the "Omega" maker, who signed his counterfeits
with a tiny omega within the loop of the R in LIBERTY. This is an original
coin, of course, and we note good luster and moderate handling marks expected
for the grade. The strike is sharp, and the devices frosty.
Estimated Value
$2,800-3,200.
Lot 3605
1888. MS-65.
Glowing mint luster and sharply impressed throughout. The devices are
enhanced by a delicate gold tone and the surfaces are pristine throughout. As
this denomination faded away, only 5,000 were struck in 1888, most of which
were saved, but very few are as nice as this one.
Estimated Value
$6,500-UP.
Lot 3606
1888. PCGS graded
MS-63. Flashy luster and free of toning or haze. This one has a decent
strike, and minor contact marks expected for the grade. In an old green insert
PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $2,750-3,250.
Lot 3607
1889. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Glowing orange gold in color with well frosted devices and
superbly made mirror fields. The curious orange-peel mirror fields can be seen
with a glass, and these proof gold coins are amongst the most beautiful coins
produced at the Mint. 1889 is the final year of issue of the $3 gold coin, only
129 were struck in Proof, and this one is in the top half of the survivors. We
see light hairlines in the fields, and a minor speck below the wreath on the
reverse. PCGS has graded 45 this high, with a scant 10 higher.
Estimated
Value $8,000-9,000.