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Auction 420 | Lot 2229 » Half Eagles » Liberty Half Eagles

1874 $5 MS63 PCGS. In its Bass auction appearance, the cataloger noted, "On the accompanying ticket for this particular coin, Harry Bass wrote, FINEST KNOWN, then emphatically underlined the words. Nearly three decades after his purchase of this specimen, FINEST KNOWN probably still seems to be as accurate as ever." Time continues to pass, and it has been seven years since the Bass II auction. Yet the present piece remains the single finest certified 1874 half eagle, unequalled in business strike format at either PCGS or NGC. Only 3,488 business strikes and 20 proofs were struck. This smooth and prooflike piece has radiant honey-gold fields. This is an example of Breen-6688, with strike doubling on UNITED STATES, that Breen misinterpreted as a doubled die. If it were an Indian half eagle with the distinction of finest certified, it would realize over a hundred thousand dollars. As a Liberty half eagle without a C, D, or CC mintmark, it will sell for less than it should now, but perhaps not so in the future.
Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II (Bowers and Merena, 10/1999), lot 1194, which realized $20,125; purchased from N.K.S., 9/27/1971. (PCGS# 8333)

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Grade MS63

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $20,700.00

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$33,000 or more

Auction 420 | Lot 2304 » Half Eagles » Indian Half Eagles

1909 $5 MS66 NGC. An exceptional coin for this date. The Indian half eagle series has several elusive dates, and even dates with generous mintages can be quite rare in Gem grades. A case in point would be this 1909 half eagle. Despite the plentiful mintage of 627,060 struck, only a handful qualify as Gems today, and in this next grading tier, a total of seven coins have been awarded the MS66 grade from both NGC and PCGS. No examples of this date have been graded finer than the present coin. Although 1909 cents of all mintmark varieties and types were hoarded, the gold coins of this date were ignored. Even the dramatic 1909/8 overdate did not appear in Wayte Raymond's Standard Catalogue of United States Coins until 1944.

On the present coin, we note a thin, almost invisible scratch from star 3 to the Indian's mouth. On the reverse there are a couple of minor luster grazes in the field behind the eagle's head, which will serve to identify this pristine coin. The strike is exquisite, with full definition throughout the headdress feathers, and intricate detail on the eagle's plumage, even on the sometimes indistinct uppermost portion of the front wing. Olive-green tints emerge from the subtle apricot toning, and this arrangement of colors is associated with original 20th century gold coins. The satin luster is comprehensive, and the eye appeal is undeniable. The dies are moderately rotated counterclockwise. An opportunity to put away a classic example of a condition rarity worthy of the finest collection. Census: 4 in 66, 0 finer (10/06). (PCGS# 8513)

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Grade MS66

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $26,450.00

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$39,675 or more

Auction 420 | Lot 2788 » Double Eagles » Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles

1910 $20 MS65 PCGS. This is a beautiful Gem example of the Saint-Gaudens type. Well struck and highly lustrous with matte-like surface textures and a few tiny nicks on each side that are too small to affect the splendid eye appeal of the piece. In lower grades, the 1910 is the most common P-mint Motto double eagle produced from 1908 through 1915, but true Gems such as the present specimen are of the utmost rarity and desirability. Population: 92 in 65, 3 finer (10/06). (PCGS# 9154)

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Grade MS65

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $7,475.00

Auction 420 | Lot 2854 » Double Eagles » Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles

1923-D $20 MS64 PCGS. A solidly struck wheat-gold piece with areas of orange on the eagle's wings. Highly appealing with great luster and few marks for the grade. (PCGS# 9176)

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Grade MS64

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $1,380.00

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$2,070 or more

Auction 420 | Lot 1841 » Patterns and Prototypes

1866 5C Shield Five Cents, Judd-489, Pollock-577, Low R.6--Corroded, Cleaned--ANACS. PR60 Details. The obverse has a shield design similar to that adopted for the regular issue Shield nickel, except that the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is expressed in smaller letters and the date is divided by a ball at the base of the shield. On the reverse, the numeral 5 is surrounded by a laurel wreath, with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the rim. Struck in nickel with a plain edge. Well struck and blemish-free with pleasing olive coloration that is somewhat modified by faint reddish-salmon iridescence on the reverse. Light corrosion is noted near 8 o'clock on the obverse, but there is little obvious evidence of the improper cleaning mentioned by ANACS. (PCGS# 60685)

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Grade PR60

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $1,265.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1844 » Patterns and Prototypes

1870 3C Three Cent Silver, Judd-797, Pollock-884, Low R.7, PR67 NGC. William Barber's Liberty Seated design graces the obverse, combined with the standard reverse for the three cent silver. The obverse die was likely made specifically for half dime pattern production. The half dime and three cent silver diameters differ by about 1.4 millimeters, which forces the reverse to have an usually wide border. Struck in silver with a reeded edge. A sharply struck, brilliant, and flashy Superb Gem with undisturbed fields. (PCGS# 61040)

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Grade PR67

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $8,337.50

Auction 420 | Lot 1850 » Patterns and Prototypes

1882 5C Shield Five Cents, Judd-1693, Pollock-1895, Low R.7, PR63 Cameo PCGS. Similar to a regular issue proof Shield nickel, but no ball is present on the base of the shield. Struck in nickel with a plain edge. Sharply struck and beautifully preserved with light tan-gray toning. The fields have occasional minor retained laminations, as made. Population: 1 in 63, 5 finer (10/06). (PCGS# 62098)

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Grade PR63

Auction Ended

Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $3,881.25

Auction 420 | Lot 1852 » Gold Dollars

1849 G$1 No L MS62 NGC. Nicely struck with pretty luster. The yellow-gold surfaces have no trace of wear, though modest abrasions appear on each side. One of just 1,000 Open Wreath, No L pieces struck. (PCGS# 7501)

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Grade MS62

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $862.50

Auction 420 | Lot 1853 » Gold Dollars

1849 G$1 No L MS63 PCGS. Solidly struck with attractive, partly reflective luster on each side. The honey-gold surfaces have only light marks that are appropriate for the grade. (PCGS# 7501)

Bid Source: Podium

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Grade MS63

Auction Ended

Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $1,495.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1855 » Gold Dollars

1849 G$1 Closed Wreath MS65 PCGS. Large Head, With L. Satiny and sharply struck in all areas save for the denomination and date, design elements that are often mushy on Closed Wreath gold dollars of this date. Rich lime and peach-gold coloration adorns both sides. A wonderfully preserved Gem example of this first-year issue. Population: 10 in 65, 4 finer (10/06). (PCGS# 7503)

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Grade MS65

Auction Ended

Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $5,175.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1856 » Gold Dollars

1849-O G$1 MS63 NGC. The 1849-O is the sole New Orleans issue of the Open Wreath subtype. The ME in AMERICA is repunched, as is the R in DOLLAR. Mint luster is impressive, and the central strike is unimprovable. A few trivial field grazes are unimportant for the grade. Census: 42 in 63, 27 finer (10/06). (PCGS# 7508)

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Grade MS63

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $3,450.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1857 » Gold Dollars

1850-D G$1 --Damaged--ANACS. XF40 Details. Variety 2-C. The yellow-gold surfaces of this rare issue have traces of original luster and the usual flat strike on the obverse. Several heavy abrasions on each side account for the "damaged" designation. (PCGS# 7511)

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Grade XF40

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $977.50

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$1,530 or more

Auction 420 | Lot 1858 » Gold Dollars

1851 G$1 MS63 NGC. Select and frosty, this well struck coin has butter-yellow fields. The obverse is essentially distraction-free, though long, light abrasions affect the reverse. (PCGS# 7513)

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Grade MS63

Auction Ended

Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $805.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1860 » Gold Dollars

1851-C G$1 --Mount Removed--NCS. XF Details. Variety 5-E. The field inside the wreath is sunken and discolored where the piece was once affixed to jewelry. Subdued from a cleaning, and both sides exhibit numerous wispy pinscratches. An affordable example of this popular Charlotte issue. (PCGS# 7514)

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Grade XF40

Auction Ended

Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $488.75

Auction 420 | Lot 1861 » Gold Dollars

1851-C G$1 --Rims Damaged--ANACS. AU55 Details. Variety 5-E. A still-lustrous yellow-gold example with a touch of wear on the devices. The rim damage is difficult to detect in the holder, though a heavy abrasion is noted to the right of the 1 in the denomination. (PCGS# 7514)

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Service ANACS

Grade AU55

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $747.50

Auction 420 | Lot 1862 » Gold Dollars

1851-C G$1 --Damaged--ANACS. AU55 Details. Variety 4-D. Close to Mint State in terms of sharpness. Bright and hairlined from a cleaning, and a few wispy field marks are present, but the ANACS designation of "Damaged" appears overly severe. (PCGS# 7514)

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Grade AU55

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $632.50

Auction 420 | Lot 1863 » Gold Dollars

1851-D G$1 AU53 ANACS. Variety 3-D. Typical for the issue, this piece is a bit softly defined on the highpoints, but shows excellent luster characteristics and pleasing coloration. Light highpoint wear on the obverse and a shallow diagonal pinscratch in the left reverse field area above DOL are grade-influencing factors. A heavy die crack extends from the reverse rim near the I in AMERICA to the upper right side of the 5 in the date. Die clashing on the reverse includes the impression of two obverse stars to the left of the mintmark. A pleasing AU example of this date. (PCGS# 7515)

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Grade AU53

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $2,530.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1864 » Gold Dollars

1851-O G$1 MS62 PCGS. Though this issue, along with the 1853-O, is one of the most available New Orleans gold dollars, Mint State examples are still elusive. This lustrous piece has deep honey-orange surfaces that display only a few light abrasions. Nicely struck and appealing. (PCGS# 7516)

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Grade MS62

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $1,035.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1866 » Gold Dollars

1852 G$1 MS66 PCGS. This is an amazing Premium Gem with fully detailed obverse and reverse designs in addition to frosty light yellow luster and full brilliance. A high-quality example with just a handful of finer pieces certified. Population: 11 in 66, 5 finer (10/06). (PCGS# 7517)

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Grade MS66

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $6,900.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1867 » Gold Dollars

1852-O G$1 MS62 NGC. Variety One. A radiant straw-gold example that has soft, pleasing luster. Well struck and appealing despite light marks. Census: 39 in 62, 29 finer (10/06).
From The Park Cities Collection. (PCGS# 7520)

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Grade MS62

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $1,725.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1870 » Gold Dollars

1853-C G$1 MS64 NGC. Variety 8-I. This sun-gold near-Gem is well struck on the wreath and borders. The date is also evenly impressed, and only the hair near the ear has blended detail. The surfaces are free from post-mint contact, save for brief marks near star 3 and above the 1 in the date. A dash of gray toning is noted at 6:30 on the reverse, and a small mint-made strike-through resides behind the hair bun. The fields are gently reflective, while the borders display bright cartwheel sheen. The final Charlotte Mint Type One gold dollar, which has a mintage of just 11,515 pieces. Census: 3 in 64, 1 finer (10/06). (PCGS# 7522)

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Grade MS64

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $16,675.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1871 » Gold Dollars

1854 G$1 Type One MS64 NGC. Boldly struck with no mentionable weakness on the obverse stars, bright luster, pleasing yellow-gold color, and a couple of wispy marks near the reverse center that seemingly prevent the Gem grade designation. A pleasant near-Gem example. (PCGS# 7525)

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Grade MS64

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $1,495.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1872 » Gold Dollars

1854 G$1 Type One MS64 PCGS. A lovely example of the final Type One gold dollar issue that has peach and orange accents on a yellow-gold base. Nicely struck with only a few small marks on each side. (PCGS# 7525)

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Grade MS64

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Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $1,725.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1873 » Gold Dollars

1854 G$1 Type Two AU55 NGC. A pleasing example of the larger-diameter Type Two design that has minor highpoint wear. Well struck with a trace of luster and evidence of possible die buckling on the obverse. (PCGS# 7531)

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Grade AU55

Auction Ended

Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $598.00

Auction 420 | Lot 1875 » Gold Dollars

1854 G$1 Type Two MS62 NGC. Breen-6037, "Extremely Rare." The beads in Liberty's coronet are strongly die doubled. A pale pink-gold representative with ample shimmering luster and no substantial abrasions. Struck from noticeably clashed dies, as is commonplace for this scarce gold type. An unusual offering for the gold specialist. (PCGS# 7531)

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Grade MS62

Auction Ended

Nov 30, 2006

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Sold For: $3,162.50