Sept. 23-24, 2002, The Pre-Long Beach Auction

Sept. 23-24, 2002, The Pre-Long Beach Auction, Sale 16
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$20 Gold

$20 Liberty/No Motto

Lot 1050
1852-O. PCGS graded AU-53. A scarce date in high grades, this one is boldly struck and well preserved. The surfaces show minor lines from circulation, and the coin has great eye appeal. An impressive example for the date collector.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,200.

Lot 1051
1853-O. NGC graded EF-45. Nice surfaces for the grade, with moderate circulation lines, and traces of luster. Sharp throughout, and a popular early New Orleans Mint Twenty.
Estimated Value $700-900.

Near Gem 1856-S Type I Double Eagle

Lot 1052
1856-S. PCGS graded MS-64 HW Bass, Jr. Coll. A rare coin in this grade, the color and surfaces are a delight to behold, and the strike is sharp as well. This is not from the the S.S. Central America shipwreck, as this coin comes from the Harry Bass, Jr. collection which was formed prior to the release of the coins from that famous wreck. PCGS has graded 38 as such, with just 5 in the grade higher, and 2 more at the top as MS-66. An important opportunity for the numismatist to purchase a desirable part of our numismatic heritage.
Estimated Value $9,000-10,000.
From Bowers and Merena's sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr., Collection, 11/2000.

Lot 1053
1857-S. MS-60 or better. Bright and fresh, with plenty of mint luster in the fields. Minor handling marks expected and this one was likely not on the S.S. Central America, as those are normally found in higher grades. Well struck and still scarce.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,250.

Lot 1054
1857-S. PCGS graded AU-55. Well struck and preserved, with a few scattered handling ticks on both sides. Frosty and lustrous, with plenty of eye appeal. Light reddish toning on the reverse periphery.
Estimated Value $700-800.

Lot 1055
1857-S. PCGS graded AU-53. Liberty's cheek is clean for the grade, and we note luster in the fields. A couple of handling marks on the reverse.
Estimated Value $650-750.

One of the Finest Graded 1860-O Double Eagles

Lot 1056
1860-O, One of the Finest Known! PCGS graded AU-58. Neither PCGS or NGC has graded a coin of this date in Mint State, and this is about as close to that grade as you can get. One of the finer points of this coin is that the fields are prooflike, so it was likely an early strike off the dies. The devices are all very sharp as well, with no signs of weakness even on the upper curls of Liberty. Only 6,600 were struck, and doubtless very few were saved. As the Civil War exploded into the forefront of the news, many were likely melted to pay for needed munitions and other war materials in the cash poor South. Somehow, this coin survived at the top of the heap, with just a trace of wear and a light scattering of ticks from handling. Liberty's cheek is clean, and there are no disturbing digs or problems signs of contact, also unusual for this large, New Orleans Mint issue. PCGS has graded only 4 this high, and NGC has graded 12 as such, and again, neither service has graded any higher. In PCGS holder #50021137.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.

Lot 1057
1861. PCGS graded AU-53. Good luster and minimal handling marks on this common Type 1 Twenty.
Estimated Value $650-750.

Lot 1058
1861. PCGS graded AU-53. Pleasing surfaces throughout and a coin that appears as if it was put away and forgotten 140 years ago.
Estimated Value $650-700.

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