The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 3612
1839. NGC graded
MS-64. Here is one of the very finest known of this date! The surfaces are
satiny and smooth, and show few signs of handling. Light hairlines can be seen
with a glass, but they are faint and not too distracting. Excellent luster and
well struck by the dies, keeping this coin high in the very choice category. A
condition rarity that is tied for the finest graded by NGC and PCGS, with both
combined services grading just 7 this high, and of course, none are graded
higher! An important first year of issue of the new Gobrecht Coronet head,
which replaced the Reich-Kneass Classic heads of the prior years. Perhaps saved
as the first of its kind, and nearly a gem. We note the diagnostic rust pits on
Liberty's neck, which are seen on all examples of this date, and this one is
identifiable by a short mark in the field just above the last star.
Estimated Value $25,000-30,000.
Lot 3613
1841. NGC graded
MS-64. A monumental example of this date, nearly in gem condition! The
surfaces are simply alive with glowing luster, and the coin is probably as
bright as the day it was struck. This is likely from a tiny hoard of mint state
pieces that turned up in 1953. Fully struck by the dies, without the usual
weakness seen on so many other dates of this period, the feathers and claws are
all sharp on the eagle, as are the tiny curls on Liberty's head. We note that
Liberty has a slightly open mouth, and this is from die polishing. Liberty's
face is very clean, and we note only faint hairlines and a couple of scattered
field ticks to note the passage of time. NGC has graded 10 this high, with a
single coin graded higher as MS-65, similar at PCGS where they report only 6
graded as high as MS-64, and none higher. If you demand one of the very best
around, then here is a connoisseurs jewel for your collection. In NGC holder
#1291889-002.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex: Superior Stamp & Coin
Company's Sale, May 1995, Lot 3624 and from the Michael Riordan collection.
Lot 3614
1842-C. Large date.
NGC graded MS-62. An extremely rare date in mint state, this
particular coin boasts well struck devices, including the stars and small curls
on Liberty's head as well as the minor feathers on the eagle, right down to his
knobby claws. A few ticks from handling, including a minor nick on Liberty's
chin will help to identify this one. NGC has graded only 1 in this grade, and
one in each grade above through MS-65. Certainly in the top half dozen known
for the date, and of immense collector and historic value.
Estimated Value
$15,000-UP.
Lot 3615
1844. NGC graded
AU-53. Orange gold toning with some luster in the protected areas. Well
struck and scarce this nice, and downright rare any better.
Estimated Value
$250-300.
Lot 3616
1844-O. NGC graded
AU-58. Hazy luster in the fields, and clean surfaces for the period. Each
star is crisp and bold, and Liberty's curls are also fully defined by the dies.
About as nice as this date comes, with the few mint state coins bringing a much
higher price, when they are found at all.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 3617
1847-C. NGC graded
MS-60. A boldly struck and well preserved coin for this moderate grade.
This one has mirror like fields from the original dies, and shows minor signs
of contact and hairlines. Scarce and in demand, as this early branch mint
always produced coins in very limited numbers and all are very rare in mint
state grades. NGC has graded 4 as MS-60, and we note 7 higher, with the best
seen MS-63 by that service. Truly a nice coin for the grade.
Estimated
Value $7,000-9,000.
Lot 3618
1849-C. PCGS graded
MS-60. A rare coin in mint state, even in this moderate lower end of the
spectrum grade. We note the fields are prooflike and the reflective surface
remains in the protected areas of the fields (near the devices). In the open
fields and on the devices, we see moderate handling marks as expected for the
grade, but enough original mint surface remains to keep this one uncirculated.
As to the strike, we note some weakness at the centers, in particular on the
hair around the ear, and on the eagle's thigh. The PCGS Population Report shows
only 2 graded as MS-60, with 7 graded higher in various grades. On the reverse
we note a die crack from the rim through the upper left serif of the U of
UNITED to the olive leaves above.
Estimated Value $9,000-10,000.
Lot 3619
1851. NGC graded
AU-58. Hazy luster in the fields, and well struck overall. Scarce this
nice.
Estimated Value $400-425.
Lot 3620
1855-C. NGC graded
MS-60. A rare coin in mint state, the original mintage of 39,788 entered
circulation and stayed there for the most part, and this date is very difficult
to find in mint state. A few "sea water" coins were discovered in a Confederate
transport shipwreck some years ago, but this coin does not have the matte
surfaces encountered on the shipwreck coins. A fair amount of luster in the
fields disturbed by the expected handling ticks from transport and bag
inventories. As to the strike, it is sharp for the mint and period, with just a
trace of weakness on the eagle's thigh. As to the die state, this one is most
fascinating, there is a huge reverse die cud where a piece of the die has
completely broken away above AMER, touching the tops of ME, and the obverse
shows some weakness in the area opposite. We note another example of this date
state was offered in the massive Harry Bass holdings in the second session of
that sale by Bowers and Merena, but that coin graded EF. Here is a mint state
example, and no doubt extremely rare with this reverse cud. As we know, all
mints were very careful about replacing gold dies when they became damaged or
broken, and few coins are seen with full cuds after about 1810. One for the
specialist! NGC has graded 3 as MS-60, and 7 above, while PCGS has graded 1 as
MS-60 and 3 above.
Estimated Value $9,000-UP.
Lot 3621
1856-C. NGC graded
MS-60. About as nice as this date is ever found, we note a rather full and
complete strike as compared with the usual uneven and weak strike which is
normal for this date and mint. The surfaces show scattered ticks from handling,
but enough mint surface remains near the devices to show how nice this coin is.
Rich orange gold in color, with sharp stars and even the claws on the eagle.
NGC has graded 3 this high, with just 5 higher, all MS-61 above, and none above
that. A condition rarity and worth a strong bid from a Charlotte Mint or date
specialist.
Estimated Value $12,500-UP.
Lot 3622
1856-D. Sharpness
of MS-62 but a sea salvage coin. This is sea salvage coin that came from a
shipwreck or similar source. Bright and lustrous, with a strong strike. The
surfaces show the familiar slightly matte surface, but no problems otherwise.
Estimated Value $3,500-UP.
Lot 3623
1856-S. NGC graded
AU-50. Scarce in high grades, this particular one shows moderate handling
marks from circulation.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Lot 3624
1857-S. NGC graded
AU-58. Sharp on the devices and barely circulated. A few minor handling
ticks from new, and worth a good bid.
Estimated Value $950-1,050.
Lot 3625
1859-S. PCGS graded
AU-53. A rare date in high grades, particularly in grades of EF or higher.
This exceptional coin boasts traces of luster in the protected areas and the
devices are well defined by the sharpness of the strike. Further, and
importantly, the fields and surfaces show fewer than average bagmarks,
maintaining the eye appeal a collector wants. As to rarity, PCGS has graded 5
this high, with 4 in AU-55 above, 3 as AU-58 and at the very top 2 as MS-62.
Orange gold in color.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 3626
1860-S. PCGS graded
AU-55. A scarce date in high grades, and this is certainly one of the very
finest known of the date to survive! Light yellow gold in color, with moderate
handling marks from brief circulation. We note one minor scrape on Liberty's
face, extending from her nose to her ear, but this is shallow and not that
distracting. PCGS has graded a single coin as such of this date, with 2 graded
higher, both AU-58 above. Importantly, they haven't graded any in mint state
grades yet. A condition rarity for the specialist.
Estimated Value
$3,500-4,000.
Lot 3627
1861. EF-40.
Typical circulation marks.
Estimated Value $150-175.
Lot 3628
1869-S. PCGS graded
AU-53. Pretty gold luster and well struck by the dies. We note the usual
scattering of ticks from bouncing about as a wheel of commerce, but none are
deep or distracting. PCGS has only graded 6 this high, with 5 higher, and none
as high as Mint State, making this about as nice as can be secured.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Lot 3629
1871-S. NGC graded
AU-53. Sharply struck for this date, with full curls on Liberty and well
rounded devices. Rare this nice, with most seen in grades below EF or so. This
pleasing AU boasts some mint luster in the protected areas and minimal handling
marks. NGC has graded 7 this high, with 7 a notch above as AU-55, 9 as AU-58,
then just 2 above, both as MS-61 at the top. A rare coin that is seldom offered
in high grades.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,200.
Lot 3630
1873. Open 3. PCGS
graded MS-60. Scattered bagmarks and a few nicks on either side, but with
most of the luster intact. Scarce this nice as a date.
Estimated Value
$400-500.
Lot 3631
1880 (2 pieces) and
1880-S. These grade from VF-20 to VF-30. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $300-325.
Lot 3632
1880-S. PCGS graded
MS-63. This one is lustrous and well preserved, but we note a nose nick on
Liberty.
Estimated Value $375-425.
Lot 3633
1880-S and 1882.
Both grade AU-50. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $250-275.
Lot 3634
1881. NGC graded
MS-63. Decent color and luster, with a good strike on the high points too.
Estimated Value $350-400.
Lot 3635
1881. NGC graded
MS-63. Decent luster and a few ticks from a higher grade.
Estimated
Value $350-400.
Lot 3636
1881. NGC graded
MS-63. Typical luster and surfaces for a choice grade.
Estimated Value
$350-400.
Lot 3637
1881. NGC graded
MS-63. Light haze over luster and a sharp strike by the dies.
Estimated
Value $350-400.