September 15, 2003, Pre-Long Beach Sale - Coins, Sale 21

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Dimes (Bust and Liberty Seated)
 
Lot 241        1796 Draped Bust Dime. PCGS graded MS-66. A remarkable example of the date and certainly one of the finest known of the variety. Glittering Prooflike surfaces, with a reverse that would have been called Proof under the relaxed standards of years ago. Strong, even strike, nearly complete in every detail. Identical quality to the NGC MS-66 we sold in our Fairchild Family Trust collection (Lot 488) in May 2001. As a die variety, this is more desirable than the usually seen JR-1 or JR-6 coins, as far fewer are found of this die pairing. Special care was taken in 1796 to produce really exceptional coins, as this was the first year of issue of this denomination. The design was supposedly inspired by the famed portraitist Gilbert Stuart, who employed an uncredited model (past references to Ann Willing, said at the time to be the most beautiful women in Philadelphia, have been discredited). On the reverse, the rendition of the "small eagle" design was also well received, with the proud outstretched wings and delicate wreath surrounding. A superb example of an important type coin. The recent PCGS Population Report shows 5 graded this high, with just 1 graded higher.

In June 2003, Michael S. Fey reported the discovery of examples of 1796 JR-3 and JR-4 with widely repunched 6's in the date. Because of it's high grade, this example shows this feature clearly. Actually, the entire date was repunched (as were most of the stars on the left), but the 6 was punched into the die three times: first, too low, then higher, then again slightly to the left! (Photo).
Estimate $45,000-55,000.
 
Lot 242        1805 Draped Bust Dime. 4 berries. Sharpness of About Uncirculated. A bold strike with excellent detail present. The surfaces are reflective from a cleaning long ago. Light violet highlights adds to its appeal (Photo).
Estimate $1,500-2,000.
 
Lot 243        1807 Draped Bust Dime. MS-60 +. A full strike example with normal crumbling at the outer denticles on the reverse. Probably cleaned a long time ago and now lightly toned (Photo).
Estimate $4,000-4,700.
 
Lot 244        1814 Capped Bust Dime. Small date. NGC graded MS-65. A better than average struck example, bold on the facing stars, a trifle weak on the others. The surfaces are absolutely problem-free with faint clash marks as made. Gorgeous blue, gold and lilac toning further adds to its appeal. In an old NGC holder. Pop 8 with 5 better, all MS-66 (Photo).
Estimate $10,000-11,000.
 
Lot 245        1831 Capped Bust Dime. Proof 60. Well struck, particularly so on the obverse as all the stars show their center points. The surfaces are prooflike and under magnification, small imperfections can be seen in the fields. Very few proofs were minted of which Breen lists but 7. In a custom plastic holder and marked "Ex Goldberg". We urge careful inspection prior to bidding (Photo).
Estimate $2,500-3,000.
 
Lot 246        1832 Capped Bust Dime. PCGS graded MS-65. A nice crisp strike with well defined detail throughout, frosty and lightly toned. The perfect type coin. Pop 14 with 3 higher, all MS-66 (Photo).
Estimate $4,000-4,500.
 
Lot 247        1834 Capped Bust Dime. Small 4. NGC graded MS-63. Wonderful lilac-blue toning. In an old NGC holder. Very nice for the grade. NGC has graded only 2 examples of this variety, although we suspect others are lumped in with the generic, unattributed 1834 Dimes they've graded (this being a perfect example). This, then, would be the second finest example graded by NGC, exceeded only by a single MS-64 (Photo).
Estimate $1,200-1,400.
 
Lot 248        1848 Liberty Seated Dime. NTC graded Proof 63. Well struck with nice wide borders and stars that show their center points. The fields are fully mirrored giving decent contrast to the raised devices. No serious hairlines or other defects and quite attractive with pleasing light gold toning on both sides. Rare date in proof as less than a dozen exist, many of which were badly cleaned (Photo)

Ex: Ex James Stack.
Estimate $3,000-3,500.
 
Lot 249        1850 Liberty Seated Dime. ANACS graded MS-61. Beautiful, speckled russet and blue toning, surprisingly nice for the grade (Photo).
Estimate $275-325.
 
Lot 250        1856 Liberty Seated Dime. Small date. NGC graded MS-61. Well struck and lightly toned (Photo).
Estimate $180-200.
 
Lot 251        1857-O Liberty Seated Dime. NGC graded MS-67. A superb gem specimen exhibiting a needle sharp strike. The surfaces are pristine and overlaid with vivid blue and gold toning. Pop 4 with 1 higher in MS-68 (Photo).
Estimate $4,500-5,000.
 
Lot 252        1864 Liberty Seated Dime. Proof 60. Scarce as either a circulation strike (11,000 struck) or a Proof (470 minted). Barely toned in subtle shades of lilac over lightly hairlined surfaces (Photo).
Estimate $350-400.
 
Lot 253        1865 Liberty Seated Dime. NGC graded Proof 63. Mottled blue and lilac toning. Choice for the grade, well-preserved, and flashy. In an old NGC holder (Photo).
Estimate $600-700.
 
Lot 254        1866 Liberty Seated Dime. NGC graded Proof 64. Nice, green and blue toning in a bright, cameo configuration (time for a resubmission). One of only 725 Proofs minted, and a choice one, at that. In an old NGC holder (Photo).
Estimate $500-600.
 
Lot 255        1870-S Liberty Seated Dime. PCGS graded MS-66. Well struck and frosty. A gem specimen exhibiting lovely original light grayish-violet toning. Pop 2, none higher. Very rare in this lofty grade (Photo).
Estimate $9,000-10,000.
 
Lot 256        1874 Liberty Seated Dime. Arrows. PCGS graded Proof 66. Nice even lilac and golden iridescent toning. Popular Arrows proof type coin of which only 700 were made. Pop 8 with 1 higher in PR-67 (Photo).
Estimate $7,000-8,000.
 
Lot 257        1880 Liberty Seated Dime. PCGS graded MS-62. Mostly white example of this low mintage date. Only 36,000 struck for circulation (Photo).
Estimate $325-375.
 
Lot 258        1882 Liberty Seated Dime. NGC graded MS-66. A well struck totally white example (Photo).
Estimate $800-900.
 
Lot 259        1883 Liberty Seated Dime. PCGS graded MS-66. A white frosty gem (Photo).
Estimate $800-900.
 
Lot 260        1890 Liberty Seated Dime. PCGS graded MS-66. In old green holder. Beautiful deep green, gold, and blue toning. Pop 25 with 3 higher in MS-67 (Photo).
Estimate $850-950.
 
Lot 261        1891 Liberty Seated Dime. PCGS graded MS-65. The head is a trifle flat but the surfaces are nice and frosty. White with a touch of light tone starting to form at the borders (Photo).
Estimate $400-430.
 
Lot 262        1891-O Liberty Seated Dime. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck for the date. The surfaces are mark-free, satiny and basically untoned. Pop 26 with 8 finer, best being MS-67 (Photo).
Estimate $700-800.