The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 3761
1842. Large date.
NGC graded EF-45. A scarce early no motto eagle, the surfaces show
average handling marks and traces of luster. Sharply struck by the dies and we
note a long die crack from the left wing to rim, down through the eagle and out
the rim through the E of TEN, another branching crack is seen in the left wing,
through the shield and into the right wing. Despite these cracks, the coin is
sharp.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 3762
1844-O. NGC graded
AU-55. As nice as this date is usually found, few are known in mint state
grades, and locating a decent AU example is certainly enough of a challenge.
This particular example is a classic bright yellow gold in color, with some
luster in the fields and average ticks from circulation. We also note some
minor rim nicks. Likely well within the top 100 of the date, and tied with most
of those.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 3763
1846. NGC graded
AU-55. A low mintage date (20,095) that just didn't seem to get noticed
until years of population report data was examined. This one is very rare in
high grades, in fact, this coin is one of the very highest technical grades! We
note the surfaces show rather extensive handling marks which are magnified by
the prooflike fields. The marks are small in nature, and evenly distributed on
both sides. Sharply struck, with wear only on the high points of the design
elements. NGC has graded 3 as AU-55, 2 as AU-58 above, and one as MS-60 at the
top, PCGS has graded 2 as AU-55 and none above. Hence, this is one of the
finest graded, almost certainly in the top ten known! A rare opportunity for
the date specialist.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,500.
Lot 3764
1847-O. NGC graded
AU-53. This is Breen #6881 with the double 18 in the date, called "very
rare" in his Encyclopedia. Nice surfaces and yellow gold in color, with some
luster near the devices. Well struck, despite both dies showing numerous
peripheral die cracks. Scarce in AU grades, and downright rare any better.
Estimated Value $400-600.
Lot 3765
1848. PCGS graded
MS-64. A stunning, original coin that boasts resplendent mint luster and a
sharp strike. This is certainly one of the finest known of the date, and it is
currently the finest graded by PCGS as the only MS-64 seen by that service. NGC
has also graded one as MS-64, and another as MS-65, to give the buyer an
indication of how rare this date is above choice grades. The surfaces are
remarkably clean for a gold coin of this period, and this piece has obviously
seen careful handling since the time it was struck. If you are a date
specialist, or someone looking for a spectacular example for your type
collection, then here is a worthy coin to acquire. Faint wispy hairlines can be
seen with a glass, but they are not detracting. Identifiable by a tiny vertical
mark on the cheek about half way between the ear and base of Liberty's nose,
and a small tick on the lower right loop of the first 8, and on the reverse by
a couple of small copper toned areas between AM of AMERICA and UN of UNITED. In
PCGS holder #6566216.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
Lot 3766
1849-O. NGC graded
AU-55. While the mintage of this date came in at 23,900, it doesn't account
for the rarity in high grades. Only a handful are known in grades of AU or
higher, and just 3 coins have been graded as Mint State by the combined forces
of NGC and PCGS. In particular, this coin shows brilliant yellow gold with
luster in the fields, and we note average or fewer marks from handling and
circulation. Sharply struck at the centers, but the stars and reverse lettering
show minor weakness around the periphery. NGC has graded 8 this high, with only
2 above as AU-58 and the two best they've seen at MS-60.
Estimated Value
$4,000-UP.
Lot 3767
1852. NGC graded
MS-61. A delightful coin for the grade, toned with a rose hue over the
strong luster, and the surfaces are very clean for the grade. We see a few
minor handling marks and lines, but they are not distracting. The strike is
somewhat average, with about half the stars showing their centers, otherwise
the devices are sharp. More appealing than the grade would imply, and worth a
good bid. NGC has graded 10 this high, with 6 graded higher, all MS-62.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 3768
1855. MS-60. A
better than average struck example with fully defined hair detail. The surfaces
are shimmering with frosty mint luster and are free from noteworthy marks. An
ideal example of the no motto type that is seldom seen nicer.
Estimated
Value $2,000-UP.
Lot 3769
1855-S. PCGS graded
EF-40. The new San Francisco Mint was totally focusing on double eagles
during 1855, gold was simply pouring into the Mint, and they could scarcely
coin it fast enough. It was as easy to coin a double eagle as an eagle or
quarter eagle, and double eagles were easier to ship too, which is why the
mintage on the 1855-S eagle fell to just 9,000 pieces. Few remain today, and
this date is particularly rare in grades above Very Fine, and none have been
certified above AU-55 by either NGC or PCGS. This particular specimen has nice
surfaces for the grade, and dark orange gold color. It is fairly sharp for the
date. PCGS has graded 10 as XF-40, 10 as XF-45, 5 as AU-50, 5 as AU-53 and the
best they've seen is a single coin as AU-55. A whole lot of numbers, but they
add up to a condition rarity that is seldom found this nice.
Estimated
Value $1,400-1,600.
Lot 3770
1857, Breen #6925, So
called overdate. PCGS graded EF-45. Mounted in a PCGS Prestige
holder with the Breen notation on the insert, we note that the surfaces are
typical for the grade, with broken luster in the fields and moderate handling
marks on both sides. The all important "overdate" feature is plain with a
glass, and a minute ridge can be seen connecting the upper loop of the 5 to the
lower serif of the 7, which hopefully will show up in our micro enlargement.
Noted to be "Extremely Rare" in Breen, and certainly the first we've seen.
First reported in Lester Merkin's 3/69 sale, lot 432 although it was not noted
as an overdate. Breen apparently examined the coin prior to the sale and
apparently did not catalog it. Quite possibly the same coin, as this is a
scarce date in EF grades, and this overdate is certainly rare when compared
with a generic 1857 eagle. There is also die lines dangling down from the upper
crossbar of the 7 in the date, and while we're not certain that this is an
overdate, it certainly has the same diagnostics of the variety mentioned by
Breen in his Encyclopedia. Worth some research.
Estimated Value $750-UP.
Lot 3771
1857-O. NGC graded
AU-53. 5,500 minted for the entire year, hardly enough to fill a good sized
bucket. Of course, most of those were spilled into circulation long ago, and
very few were saved in high grades. This one on offer did survive, with most of
the luster intact and with decent surfaces. The strike is sharp too, with most
of the stars showing full radial lines. The combined NGC and PCGS Population
Reports show 10 graded as AU-53, 13 as AU-55, 10 as AU-58 and importantly, none
have been graded in any grade of mint state by either service! There simply
aren't a lot to go around with a mintage of 5,500.
Estimated Value
$2,000-2,500.
Lot 3772
1858. NGC graded
EF-45. One of the classic rarities of the Eagle series, the mintage plunged
to 2,521 as the American economy spiraled downward following the shipwreck of
the S.S. Central America in September of 1857. Many insurance companies became
insolvent, with banks and all of the east thrown into a money panic. Hence, few
1858 eagles were coined, and very few were saved. Breen tossed out a guess that
perhaps 12-15 survive when he wrote is epic Encyclopedia in 1988, this appears
a bit low as the combined NGC and PCGS Population Reports show about 60 have
been graded, and even with some duplication, there are certainly 50 out there.
This is one of the better examples, the surfaces are satiny and we note luster
remains in the protected areas. The surfaces show average handling marks, with
none of the usual deep or annoying ones that often mar these early eagles. An
affordable example of this classic rarity. The combined NGC and PCGS Population
Reports show 23 graded as XF-45, 8 as AU-50, 4 as AU-53, 3 as AU-55, 1 as
AU-58, 1 as MS-61 and 1 coin as MS-64 (see our last sale addendum, lot 3339).
Estimated Value $5,000-7,500.
Lot 3773
1858-O. NGC graded
AU-55. An early strike as the fields are prooflike near the devices,
otherwise the limited circulation broke up the reflective feature in the open
field areas. Boldly struck and a rich yellow gold color. Although 20,000 were
struck, this date is nearly impossible to find in full mint state grades.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 3774
1858-S. NGC graded
AU-58. This date is apparently unknown in mint state grades, as none have
yet been certified by either NGC or PCGS. Here is one of the finest of the
scant 11,800 struck to come down to us. The devices are sharp, with no signs of
weakness even on the eagle's knobby claws. A fair amount of luster remains in
the fields, and we see minor staining around the date and on scattered areas of
the reverse as well. Both sides show moderate handling marks, with a faint
scratch in the field behind Liberty's head down towards the twelfth star and
some nicks on her chin and below in the field, as expected for the period and
Mint. For die notes, we see long die lines through the right wing of the eagle,
and a minor die crack up through the right side of N of TEN. PCGS has graded
one of this date as high as AU-55, while NGC has graded 4 as AU-55 and another
4 as AU-58, and again, neither service has graded any in mint state. An
important and rare coin. In NGC holder #623264-002.
Estimated Value
$10,000-UP.
Lot 3775
1858-S. NGC graded
AU-55. One of the finest graded of this date, forget the mintage of 11,800,
few are found in top grades. This particular coin is a beauty, boasting fully
struck devices and stars, even the eagle's knobby claws are sharp on the
reverse. Struck with the usual reverse die with a minor crack from the rim up
through the right side of the N in TEN and die lines through the right wing of
the eagle. NGC has graded 4 this high, with just 4 higher, all AU-58. PCGS has
only graded one coin as high as AU-55, with none higher! Hence, this is likely
in the top dozen of those known for the date, with apparently none in mint
state. A foremost coin worthy of a strong bid from a date collector.
Estimated Value $5,000-UP.
Lot 3776
1859. PCGS graded
AU-55. This rare date has some haze on the surfaces, and is well struck.
Traces of luster in the protected areas, and the surfaces show fewer than
average handling marks. In particular, we note a bagmark on the inside near the
point of the first star, and this will serve to identify. PCGS has graded only
6 this high with 7 higher in AU-58, and a single coin in mint state as MS-62 at
the top. A rare coin in this grade.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 3777
1860-S. SEGS graded
AU-55. Neither NGC or PCGS has graded any of this date in Mint State, so
this is an important coin in this AU-55 grade. We note substantial luster
remains in the fields, and the coin was very sharply struck by the dies. Light
haze on the surfaces. A few ticks on Liberty's face don't detract, and are
expected on a coin even in this grade. One of the many condition rarities in
this sale, and worth a healthy bid from a date collector.
Estimated Value
$9,000-UP.
Lot 3778
1865-S. NGC graded
EF-45. A rare and desirable date in high grades, this one boasts hazy
golden luster and a decent strike. We see the outline of Liberty's hair through
the mintmark and around the lower reverse devices from die clashing. These
early no motto eagles in high grades are exceptionally difficult to locate, and
despite reported mintages, most were melted or lost. Locating mint state coins
of many of these early dates is impossible, and even high grade circulated
examples receive well deserved attention whenever they appear at auction.
Estimated Value $6,500-7,500.