The June 4, 2000, Dr. Jon Kardatzke Collection Parts II & III, Sale 5
Lot 589 
1797. 10 stars left, 6 right, Bolender-3. EF-40. Either retoned artificially or else this laid in a cedar chest for ages. The color is dark, almost black, with greenish tinges. Even if the color was induced to cover up some surface problems, we cannot see those problems now, and in fact the immediate impression is of a coin that's quite desirable. The rims are faultless. The surfaces, both sides, are without major blemishes. The strike is sharp and the centering is excellent. In all, a balanced look in a coin that's a classic type among early American issues. Check it out and bid according to how much it appeals to you personally.
Lot 590
1799. Normal date. Bolender-10, rarity-2. Sharpness of Fine. A lot of light scratches, especially on the reverse. Two-tone gray color. Nice rims.
Lot 591
1799. Normal date. Bolender-7, rarity-4. G-5. There are some rather sharp rim marks, one by the seventh star on the obverse, and a couple of others on the reverse. This one is well circulated and appears to have been cleaned years ago, but is naturally retoned now.
Lot 592
1799. Normal date. Bolender-9. Sharpness of G-5 but holed. With a nice, neat little hole at the top of the obverse. Dark silver in the fields, lighter on the devices. The top of the eagle's head and star field above has worn smooth, and the are moderate circulation marks. This piece was probably suspended on a necklace for years, as the edges are worn.
Lot 593 
1840. PCGS graded MS-64. A famous specimen, the finest known, having reflective, semi-prooflike surfaces and a sparkling magenta-gray iridescent toning which cascades evenly over the surfaces. Half the stars are fully detailed, as are most of the design details on Miss Liberty--her toes and fingers, the clasp on her gown, her face and flowing locks, and the eagle's claws, face and most of its feathers (top left wing a touch soft). Additionally, the denticles are mostly well detailed, just a few by the date and on the opposing side at the same spot being mushy. The surfaces are marvelous free from blemishes--especially the fields, so open to abuse. The faults? Faint hairlining beneath the color, a little scuffing on Liberty's knee and foremost thigh, and just scattered ticks on each side. It's just a delightful coin, really--clearly the finest known of the first date in this elusive series.
Housed in PCGS slab #7852011 and previously the sole NGC-graded MS-64. It has just crossed over. No others graded MS-64, and obviously none better. Additionally, only 10 pieces in all graded MS-60 or better by NGC, and at PCGS only 18 Uncs other than this one. Some of those are doubtless re-tries, as this has always been a rarity in Mint State.
Lot 594
1870. Sharpness of EF-40 but harshly cleaned. A nice coin before someone attempted to improve it by harshly cleaning the surfaces and filing a few rim marks off the upper left obverse rim. Inspection mandatory.
Lot 595 
1875. Proof 63. Brilliant sun-gold obverse having a halo of iridescent blue, while the reverse is toned to an even and comely lavender. Some faint lines beneath this lovely toning show on the obverse but do not detract very much. There seems to be a minting flaw in the banner over Liberty's head. In all, a very pleasing and lovely example of this Proof date, of which just 700 were coined 125 years ago.
Lot 596
1876-S. Sharpness of About Uncirculated. Light gray surfaces show signs of an old cleaning (hairlines), but the strike is sharp and the coin has a minimum of other marks. Pleasing for what it is.
Lot 597
1877-S. ANACS graded AU-58. A really nice collector's coin, hard to find with so few marks and having as much luster as shown on this piece. It also has some gold toning which only makes it look better.
Lot 598
1877-S. ANACS graded AU-53. Somewhat lustrous but lightly cleaned. Still, nicer than loads of these, which got knocked around the Orient for commercial trade.
Lot 599
1877-S and 1878-S. Both are Good and both were cleaned. These obviously circulated well during their day. Lot of 2 coins.
Lot 600
1878-S. VF-35. Cleaned years ago and now completely retoned to a natural silvery-gray color. One minor scrape near Liberty's knee in the field. Perfect for the type collector.
Lot 601
1878. 8 tail feathers. MS-64. Bright white obverse with a beautifully toned, iridescent reverse--blue and magenta.
Lot 602
1878. 8 tail feathers. MS-63. Brilliant and frosted, a Choice old-time piece with a hint of toning on the edge.
Lot 603
1878. 7 tail feathers, third reverse. MS-63. Choice BU, frosty and lovely. Another handsome old-time collection coin with a hint of bluish toning on the edge. Many of these are from the same source, so check them out and submit bids appropriate to winning these nicer than usual Morgans.
Lot 604
1878. 7 tail feathers, third reverse. MS-62. Frosty white and lovely except for a very long, though faint, scuff before Liberty's face.
Lot 605
1878. 7/8 tail feathers, strong. MS-62. Frosty brilliance, nearly choice. Bold strike.
Lot 606
1878-CC. MS-62. A brilliant example, white and frosty.
Lot 607
1878-CC. MS-60. A touch dull but still having lots of frost; no major marks.
Lot 608
1878-CC. MS-60. A frosty, bright coin that is well struck and has few bagmarks for the grade.
Lot 609
1878-CC. A group of three. A mix of grades, one EF-40 with a rim scratch, one EF-45 and another MS-60. Lot of 3 coins.
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