January 25-28, 2004, The Pre-Long Beach Coin & Currency Auction
Sale 23

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Eagles

$5 Capped Bust/Large Eagle

Choice Uncirculated 1803/2 Half Eagle

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3227    1803, 3 over 2. PCGS graded MS-63. One of just 27 so graded by PCGS, with only 24 finer, thus making this a scarce coin in any Mint State grade. Well struck with lots of semi-reflective surfaces still remaining. Choice, green-gold surfaces and great eye appeal. A thoroughly satisfying piece that will appeal to type and variety collectors alike. Color photo.
Estimated Value $11,000-13,000.
 

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3228    1803, 3 over 2. Miller-56, Breen-1-C, Rarity-4. NGC graded AU-58. A classic American gold coin, here in a nice, affordable circulated grade. No adjustment marks or noticeable post-striking defects; just plain, honest wear. The reverse has a neat die cud over the UN of UNITED that is unlisted in Miller and later than any of the Breen-1C's in Bass II.
Estimated Value $5,400-5,700.
 

1806 Pointed 6 $5 Gold

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3229    1806. Pointed 6, 8 x 5 Stars. Miller 75, R.6. PCGS graded MS-63. PQ. Gorgeous, frosty yellow surfaces. Softly struck on some of the very highest points, but with no visible wear or color breaks on any of the surfaces. Struck from an early, near-perfect state of the dies, with no die break by the final S in STATES and with hardly any clashmarks on the reverse. The first two stars are jammed tightly together -- apparently, the engraver gave himself lots of room when placing the stars on the left side of the obverse. After adding the five stars on the right side, he suddenly realized that the total was only twelve, not the required thirteen. The thirteenth star was punched by the lowest hair curl, thus correcting the number but destroying an otherwise perfect symmetry. This rare variety was unlisted in Breen's monograph. PCGS reports 17 examples (of the 8 x 5 Stars sub-type, not the variety), with only four finer (all in MS-64). Color photo.
Estimated Value $18,000-22,000.
 

$5 Capped Head

Lovely Mint State 1823 Half Eagle

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3230    1823. Miller-146, Breen-6481, R.5. PCGS graded MS-63 PQ. A glittering golden example of a type and a date that is very rare in Mint State. Boldly struck, with full definition on the hair and feathers. With an initial mintage of only 14,485 coins, plus subsequent meltings, the chances off finding this date in any grade are very low. The spate of recent offerings in recent years are not an indication that this coin is anywhere near common -- most of the appearances are of the same coin (this one). This example is from the Rogers collection (plated on the website at www.CoinFacts.com), thence to the Superior Galleries "Pre-Long Beach Sale", May 2001, Lot 4044, to our consignor, and now to us. Two other examples that have appeared on the market are the Harry W. Bass, Jr. collection coin and the Carter coin from Heritage's 1998 FUN sale. To our knowledge the latter two examples are in strong hands, so once this coin is sold it may not reappear for many years to come. What once seemed "common" will reveal its true rarity.
This was the only die variety for the year. Color photo.
Estimated Value $30,000-50,000.
 

$5 Liberty/No Motto

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3231    1840-C. NGC graded VF-35. A well-worn example of this tough, low-mintage date. Dull, greenish-gold in color, with coppery toning in the protected areas.
Estimated Value $800-850.
 

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3232    1844-O. AU-53. Well struck with some bag marks on the obverse.
Estimated Value $500-600.
 

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3233    1846. Large date. PCGS graded MS-62. Well struck and lustrious. Pop 4 with 1 higher in MS-63.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
 
3234    1873 Closed 3 and 1873 Open 3. EF-45. A nice two piece lot. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $240-260.
From the Benson Collection.
 

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3235    1880. NGC graded MS-65. A frosty pale golden gem example. Population of 15 with only 1 higher by a point. A delightful little treasure.
Estimated Value $4,500-5,000.
 

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3236    1880. AU-55.
Estimated Value $130-140.
From the Miguel Munoz Collection, June, 1979, lot 864.
 
3237    1880, 1881, 1883 and 1895. EF-45. Each is a pleasing example for the grade. Lot of 4 coins.
Estimated Value $400-440.
From the Benson Collection.
 

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3238    1881. ANACS graded Proof 63 Cameo. Mostly brilliant, with delightful orange-peel surfaces and a nice, light cameo on the high points. A couple of light marks appear on both sides, but the overall appearance is much nicer than one might expect on a 63. Nowadays, most 63's are hairlined or otherwise impaired. Happily, this piece is not.
One of only 42 Proof Half Eagles struck in 1881. Color photo.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.
 

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3239    1881. NGC graded MS-63. Abounds with frosty mint luster and lovely original orange toning.
Estimated Value $450-500.
 

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3240    1881. NGC graded MS-61.
Estimated Value $190-210.
 

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3241    1882. PCGS graded MS-63. A very choice satiny mint example in a 1st generation PCGS holder. We note a tiny coppery tone spot on the first star.
Estimated Value $550-650.
 

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3242    1882-S. NGC graded MS-62. Attractively toned.
Estimated Value $200-235.
 

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3243    1882-S, 1883 and 1900. EF-45. A nice trio of Liberty Half Eagles. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $325-350.
 

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3244    1885-S. NGC graded MS-62. A lustrous and delicately toned example.
Estimated Value $200-235.
 

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3245    1885-S. AU-53. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $240-250.
 
3246    1886. EF-45. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-220.
From the Benson Collection.
 

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3247    1886-S. PCGS graded MS-63. Nice and frosty with original toning intact.
Estimated Value $400-450.
Benson Collection.
 

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3248    1886-S. NGC graded MS-63. Quite lustrous and evenly toned.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 

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3249    1889. NGC graded MS-63. Strong cartwheel luster and bright, semi-reflective surfaces. This is a surprisingly rare date, with a mintage of only 7,520 pieces. In high grades, this date becomes a true condition-rarity, as well. In MS-63, NGC reports only 7 examples. Finer, they report only 1, a single MS-64. Considering that common MS-63 Liberty Head Half Eagles were worth upwards of $3,000 back in 1989, this coin seems a steal in today's market!
Estimated Value $2,500-2,800.
 

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3250    1892. NGC graded MS-64. Natural light reddish toning. Pop of 54 with 5 in MS-65, 3 in MS-66 and 3 in MS-67.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,300.
 

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3251    1892 and 1898. EF-45. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $220-230.
 

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3252    1892-CC. VF-30. Natural toning deepening in the protected areas.
Estimated Value $220-240.
 

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3253    1893. PCGS graded MS-63. An attractive frosty mint example with light golden-orange color. In an old green holder.
Estimated Value $700-750.
 

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3254    1895. NGC graded MS-65. A golden gem with delicate orange overtones. Pop of 30 with 4 in MS-66 and 2 in MS-67. This one is a beauty. Color photo.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
 
3255    1897. EF-40.
Estimated Value $110-120.
 

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3256    1899. NGC graded MS-66. Well struck and sparkling with undisturbed satiny mint luster. A superb example for a gem type or date set. Pop of 34 with only 3 higher by a point.
Estimated Value $3,500-3,800.
 

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3257    1899. PCGS graded MS-62.
Estimated Value $210-230.
Benson Collection.
 
3258    1899. MS-60. Together with: 1987 $5.00 Unc. Constitution in the box of issue. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $230-250.
 

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3259    1901-S. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. A nice bold strike and loaded with satiny mint luster. Very choice for the grade thus our Premium Quality designation.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,100.
 

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3260    1902-S. PCGS graded MS-66. An outstanding well struck gem with light golden toning. This lovely Liberty Half Eagle has tremendous "eye appeal". Pop of 15 with only 4 better.
Estimated Value $3,800-4,200.
 
3261    1903 and 1904. EF-45. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-220.
From the Benson Collection.
 

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3262    1904. AU-50. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $240-250.
 

Cameo Proof 1906 $5 Liberty

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3263    1906. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. Brilliant, sunny-yellow surfaces, with light frosting on the raised devices. These are usually found brilliant, so a Cameo Proof is a delightful exception. Of the 85 Proofs originally struck, this is one of the finest survivors. NGC reports 2 in this grade, with only 2 finer (both PR-67 Cameos). For comparison purposes, PCGS reports only 5 PR-66 examples (none of which are Cameos). In fact, the finest Cameos reported by PCGS are only 2 PR-65 Cameos.

For years, Proof Gold coins were presented in a monolithic fashion -- a Proof was a Proof was a Proof. Today, however, we know that not all years are the same. The overall quality can differ from year to year, some dates are usually found brilliant, some are usually found frosted, colors can change, etc. Besides being extremely valuable, Proof gold coins present an interesting diversion for the well-heeled collector. Color photo.
Estimated Value $25,000-30,000.
 

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3264    1907-D. NGC graded MS-62. Boldly struck.
Estimated Value $220-250.
 

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3265    1908. PCGS graded MS-62.
Estimated Value $220-240.
 

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3266    1908. MS-60. Lustrous and lightly toned.
Estimated Value $150-170.
 
3267    1882, 1899, 1903-S and 1905-S. Very Good to Fine. All have been cleaned. Lot of 4 coins.
Estimated Value $375-400.
 
3268    1882-S, 1885-S and 1899-S. EF-45. A trio of decent looking Half Eagles. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $300-330.
From the Benson Collection.
 
3269    1903 and 1906-D. AU-50. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $220-240.
From the Benson Collection.