Highlights of the Sale |
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| Lot 747 |
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Ecuador. 8 Escudos, 1845-Quito MV. Fr-6; KM-30. Republic. Flag-draped national arms with 8 - E at left and right. Reverse: Bare bust of Simon Bolivar to left with BOLIVAR on truncation of neck. Variety with the four flag poles extended below the arms. The type itself is very rare and seldom seen. Misdescribed in the Eliasberg sale as Fr-7 (the following type), an inferior example, lot 1733, in that sale realized $74,750. this type was not in the Hammel collection. Well struck and in high grade! Extremely Rare. NGC graded AU-50.
Estimated Value $50,000 - 60,000.
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Realized $42,500 |
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| Lot 803 |
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Great Britain. 'Fine Work' 5 Guineas, 1701. S.3456; Fr-310. William III. Exceptionally sharp in strike with fine hair detail not seen in other high-grade example. William III ruled alone after the death of his wife (Mary II) until his own demise on 8th March 1702 following a serious fall from a horse. The 'Fine Work' gold coins of William III are among the most spectacular of the period. Seldom attributed to any particular purpose, but probably the work of John Croker, who seems to have been responsible for the experimental portraits all done within a few years of this, probably including those used on the piedfort Proof halfcrowns, the "flaming hair" shillings (S.3515), and the gold pieces of 1701 featuring the king adorned in what must be a fancy periwig hairpiece. The 5 Guinea coin, of course, shows this wonderfully detailed, deeply cut engraving off to best advantage. Seems better than the numerical grade given as the surfaces are glassy or prooflike and gleaming with luster, and it is exceptionally well struck even for this style. The king's locks are engraved as a chisel might cut into the finest marble, of exceptional fineness, and the reverse design is equally bold. The gold itself is lovely, without flaws of any real note. tied with the best of these, as several exist in Mint State. One of the most beautiful coins in any collection. NGC graded MS-63.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Hesselgesser Collection.
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Realized $31,000 |
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| Lot 2737 |
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1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-61. O-101. Well struck with nice even toning on both sides. Among the finest known. A great coin. PCGS # 07998124. A highly desirable specimen of America's first half dollar issue, which is only stating the obvious, since this is indeed one of the very finest known of the variety or, for that matter, the date. Lovely dove-gray antique silver surfaces yield effortlessly to subtle olive accents over the generous cartwheel luster. The eye appeal is magnificent, "boasting an incredibly original appearance" as the 2004 Stack's catalogue put it. The strike is outstanding on both sides, a chief consideration for this often haphazardly hand-struck issue. A coin with exemplary detail that is seen in Liberty's hair, the eagle's head and wings, and the peripheries. "Some natural adjustment marks are seen on the obverse," explains the ANR cataloger of this coin in 2006, "but only under scrutiny, as the force of the strike mostly obliterated them; the diagonal vestiges are most notable in the high point of Liberty's hair at precise central obverse, with lesser lines seen on the cheek and in the field in front of Liberty's chin. A few shorter adjustment marks are seen outside the stars on the right side of the obverse. A thin curved scratch runs from in front of Liberty's nose to inside star 13, some minor scattered contact points, nothing serious. The overall quality is impressive, and the aesthetic appeal is grand. Some people refer to a specimen like this as "wholesome," though we prefer the rare-book term 'unsophisticated,' used to describe a book that has never been rebound, fixed, or otherwise tampered with."
A rarity in all grades, Mint State 1794 half dollars are a special. They are a highly desirable breed. A handful of top grade pieces exist from this Overton-101 die pair, including the lovely Eliasberg coin, the high-grade Reed Hawn-Queller specimen, the Jimmy Hayes coin that last sold in 1985, and the magnificent F.C.C. Boyd-Noblet coin (PCGS MS-63) that was sold in 1999 for $288,500. "With only these few to satisfy all the connoisseurs of this popular denomination," says the ANR sales piece, "the opportunity to purchase one is not to be taken lightly. Many great collections of half dollars have contained only circulated specimens of this date; even Pryor had only a VF from this die marriage. Ownership of any 1794 half dollar is a point of pride, but successfully purchasing a specimen like this could really define a world-class cabinet of the denomination." Pop 1; 1 in 64 (PCGS # 6051).
Estimated Value $350,000 - 375,000.
Provenance: From Stack's sale of the Empire (Cass) Collection, November 1957, Lot 1264; Stack's Americana Sale, January 2004, Lot 3303;.
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Realized $340,000 |
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| Lot 3404 |
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1933 $10 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. PCGS #05956684. A key date for this series. Quite a coin! Well struck with nice original toning. A few obverse marks on this Premium Quality coin. A legendary rarity that boasts amazing eye appeal. The 1933 Indian $10 is available to only a select group of individuals. Rarely do these get offered for sale. The small group of specialists who track down 20th century gold will recognize this coin's importance. The few known eagles that were struck this year were released before April 1933, when Franklin D. Roosevelt nationalized the citizen's gold. It is for this reason that the 1933 is the rarest issue in the series, rarest in all grades (almost all are Mint condition or just a shade away). Some may argue that it is third rarest in Mint State, trailing the 1913-S and 1911-D. Unlike most of the pieces known, this lovely MS64 is lightly abraded with no more abrasions than, say, a similarly graded 1932. Reddish-rose gold in color, the surfaces are satiny throughout and exhibit eye-opening striking definition. If a point has to be enforced, it is in the area of striking depth, for this coin is struck with mathematical precision by the dies. A coin boasting the maximum in eye appeal. Something for the connoisseur (Using reference photographs online, we have traced this handsome piece to a January 1999 offering by Heritage Auction Galleries.) Pop 14; 7 finer in 65 (PCGS # 8885).
Estimated Value $380,000 - 400,000.
Provenance: Ex Heritage 1/99:8411.
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Realized $380,000 |
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| Lot 3524 |
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1921 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. PCGS #11617047. Nice light even golden toning on both sides. Near perfect fields. A beautiful well struck coin. And a key date for this series, lest it be forgotten. Among the finest known 1921 Saint-Gaudens $20 gold pieces. Similar examples have sold for one million dollars. Gorgeous Brilliant Uncirculated and solidly, like the Hope Diamond, in the Gem category is this magnificent specimen. The gleaming fresh yellow-gold luster astounds one and all with its wisp of enchanting pale orange hues, the coin blossoming with vigorous cartwheel spin. Put a strong magnifying glass to the coin and you just might find a few scattered marks, but they are so tiny and obscure as to be lost in the wonderfully rich golden glow. An incredibly rare year from a rather low mintage of only 528,500 pieces made in the depth of a typical but fortunately short business depression following the War boom of 1914-18. It is common to find many other dates in the series, particularly those struck in the 1920s and 1930s, were stored in U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Bank vaults as backing for the currency and demand and savings accounts. Many now doubt were melted in the mid-1930s, with few reaching general circulation at the time of issue. Fewer still were preserved in Mint State, let alone Gem Mint State.
A good place to begin the learning curve is to obtain a copy of Q. David Bowers' recent publication, A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins. Under the heading for the 1921 coinage, we learn that "While some have sneaked into the market in recent years, and offerings of the past decade are more numerous than in earlier times, no quantities of hundreds or more Mint State pieces have turned up, unlike the case for certain former rarities later in the decade. For the well-moneyed specialist the 1921 is one of the supreme challenges of this decade." Bowers goes on to suggest that perhaps as few as 40 to 60 examples exist in Mint condition, listing but a single MS65 and one MS66 in his table of "field population" and "certified population" statistics.
This specimen, far superior to the usual weakly struck 1921, possesses needle-sharp obverse details. There is a full nose and complete toes on Liberty, outstanding too, the drapery folds and torch and branch. Needle-sharpness carries over to the reverse side of the coin as well, where such a majestic eagle soars across the field as to cause one to hold one's breath in amazement. What's more, this specimen has none of the usual "brushed" appearance of lesser quality pieces; the fields and devices are rich and frosty. At the 2007 ANA Convention this coin was on display at our table, David Akers, Double Eagle expert, viewed the coin and deemed it the 3rd Finest Known. He also said the coin should have been graded Mint State 66. Pop 3; 1 finer in 66 (PCGS # 9172).
Estimated Value $750,000 - 850,000.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Hesselgesser Collection.
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Realized $880,000 |
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| Lot 3545 |
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1930-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. PCGS #11617033. Nice natural golden toning on both sides of this premium quality example. A very rare late date Saint Gaudens double eagle. The production run was a mere 74,000 pieces, helping to explain the low supply of coins available for collectors to obtain. There do not appear to be many abrasions that would bar this frosty double eagle from its lock-solid MS64 designation by the grading service. Since it is a near-Gem we encourage one and all to formulate a strict market price. There were be no slipping through the cracks when it comes time for bidding. Besides the coin's smooth features, both sides show a precision strike that conforms well with what we know about other 1930-S $20 gold pieces, that this date was more carefully produced than other S-mint twenties in the Saint-Gaudens series. Identical to other issues in the late 1920s and early 1930s, this was a heavily melted year. Like the 1929, 1931, 1931-D, and 1932 from the standpoint of total number of coins known, the amount saved was drastically reduced after the great gold seizure by the Federal government in 1933 (approximately $2.8 billion in gold valued at the then $20.67 per ounce fixed price). Pop 18; 7 in 65, 5 in 66 (PCGS # 9191).
Estimated Value $130,000 - 140,000.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Hesselgesser Collection.
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Realized $132,500 |
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| Lot 3824 |
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Gem Uncirculated Set of Educationals. Fr-269. Each note is PMG graded Gem Uncirculated 66 Exceptional Paper Quality. Consists of Fr. 224 $1.00 1896 Silver Certificate; Fr. 248 $2.00 1896 Silver Certificate; Fr. 269,$5.00 1896 Silver Certificate. A perfectly matched set that is sure to draw considerable excitement.
Here is a magnificent matched set of Educationals that our consignor spent years hunting down. Each is an eye popping gem and is a Premium Quality example. This 1896 series is considered by numismatists to be the pinnacle of allegorical design and are perhaps the most sought after of all currency types. Here is your chance to own a set of trophy notes. Lot of 3 notes.
Estimated Value $40,000 - 60,000.
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Realized $39,000 |
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| Lot 4029 |
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1928, $1000 Gold Certificate. CGA Choice Uncirculated 64. Fr-2408. One of the most popular of all small size design types, the $1,000 Gold Certificate is very seldom seen in high grades. This one possesses good colors and bright paper, although little embossing is evident through the holder. The lower right corner is slightly rounded, although this affects the eye appeal very little. It is overall a very desirable example, with good margins and fully the appearance that one would expect from the assign grade.
Estimated Value $50,000 - 60,000.
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Realized $34,000 |
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| Lot 3276 |
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1795 $5 Capped Bust. Small eagle. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. BD-3. PCGS #50189862. Well struck and a hint of light toning. Very choice Premium Quality example for the grade. One of the finest known and Condition Census. Resplendent surfaces that are thoroughly frosted with keen-edged, greenish gold to yellow-gold luster strengthening outward from the centers. Taking stock of another key aspect of the grade, this piece has knife-edged devices throughout, including centers, rather than a soft, mushy strike as most often seen. This gives the coin an appreciable advantage over others in its class.
Though a number of Mint State survivors of the 1795 half eagle issue survive, most are among the lower positions of the Mint State grading scale. The 1795 half eagles were the very first gold coins issued by the U.S. Mint, with the first delivery of struck pieces occurring at the end of July, 1795. According to the Bass-Dannreuther guide "There is no doubt that there are fewer than 1,000 Small Eagle 1795 half eagles still available to today's collectors -- combining all the 12 varieties! The high estimates of the known survivors of the 12 Small Eagle varieties added together are only slightly more than 600 specimens. Even if the estimates are off by twenty percent, only 750 or so of these spectacular early American coins are known." Pop 6; 2 finer in 65 (PCGS # 8066) .
On this die variety, the date is wide and star 11 joins Y of LIBERTY. The wreath has 4 berries, and the upper leaf in the palm branch ends at the foot of I in United. This is one of the more often seen 1795 varieties with possibly 200 examples extant. The previous use of this obverse was on BD-2..
Estimated Value $270,000 - 290,000.
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Realized $280,000 |
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| Lot 3352 |
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1795 $10 Capped Bust. 13 leaves. NGC graded MS-64. T-1. NGC #1776966-022. Very boldly struck and intensely lustrous. A stunning untoned example with great eye appeal and semi reflective surfaces throughout. This remarkable (and remarkably beautiful) early eagle traces to the Freedom Collection sold by the firm of Heritage Auction Galleries. In that earlier sale, a foundation was laid for the coin's heritage by this detailed chronology (from which we quote): "The ten dollar gold pieces, given the name 'eagle,' were the largest gold coins produced by the first U.S. Mint from 1795 through 1804. Like all early gold coins, these pieces did not carry an actual denomination as part of the design. John Dannreuther explains: 'The eagle was the second gold denomination struck by the United States Mint. Calling it a denomination is actually a misnomer. Even though a gold eagle was denominated as a ten-dollar coin, our forefathers traded gold by the tale. [Tale, in this instance, means count or tally, a number of things taken together (i.e., the weight and purity of an individual coin).] The weight and purity were the only things important to merchants and individuals -- money was gold, and gold was money. In most cases, transactions of even a nominal sum had to be settled in gold, especially whenever governments were involved. There really was no need at first for a stated denomination on either gold or silver coins, because it was known that our coins would be under extreme scrutiny and would likely be assayed by foreign mints and others as to their weight and purity.'
"In his new reference, Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, Dannreuther provides estimated mintages for every variety, as well as estimates of the number of survivors for each variety. The only thing we know for sure is the number of die marriages known from 1795 through 1804 (32) and the total mintage for that period (132,714 coins including 122 pieces reserved for assay). By using the midpoint of Dannreuther's survival estimates, we can also establish an approximate survival rate for the series of 2.5%."
Such a low survival ratio! Is it any wonder coins like these are the crème de la crème of numismatics in 21st Century America?
1795 BD-1 is believed to be the first variety struck that year. "Quite a few examples survive in Mint State grades," explains the Freedom Collection description, "giving collectors a reasonable chance of obtaining a high-quality example of the Small Eagle reverse design. Many of the Mint State pieces have Prooflike fields, much like this coin does. Although the fields are not deeply mirrored, they are clearly reflective. The surfaces are exceptional and almost totally mark-free with only a few scattered abrasions. Faint adjustment marks are evident at the center of the obverse, and also on some of the obverse dentils. All of the design elements on both sides are sharply struck, suggesting to some the possibility that this may have been some type of presentation piece. This example is a relatively early die state of the variety, with faint obverse die cracks but no evidence of any reverse cracks. Despite the existence of several Mint State pieces, this example is one of the best…" and indeed it is, an incredible coin, and a first-class opportunity for the earnest buyer of rare United States gold coinage! Pop 1; 2 finer in 65 (PCGS # 8551).
Estimated Value $400,000 - 500,000.
Provenance: Ex Freedom Collection.
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Realized $390,000 |
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| Lot 2582 |
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1822 Capped Bust Dime. NGC graded MS-66. NGC #1705249-002. Nicely toned with blue and gold colors. Hard to believe such a thing as a Mint State bust dime dated 1822 exists, yet even more astounding is this coin's spectacular Mint State 66 assignment by NGC, something dreams are made of! If a significantly finer example of this prized rarity in the Capped Bust series could exist, we have never heard of it. Questions about the 100,000 pieces supposedly struck in 1822 point to the possibility that some (or many) of the coins were actually dated 1821, as suggested by Breen and others; possibly only a few hundred 1822 bust dimes survive in all grades. This makes the 1822 dime a key date in this most challenging series and ranks it high in the entire run of U.S. dimes, 1796 to the present.
Shimmering golden-violet to turquoise iridescence is seen sporadically across the surface, leaving other areas brilliant on the left hand sides of the obverse and reverse. Easily the most visually arresting feature of this coin is its satiny frosted mint luster. Full swirling luster on both sides, in fact. Close inspection turns up a few hair-thin blemishes in the fields. An stand-out offering for the collector of bust dimes or, for that matter, considering this coin's value in the marketplace, for the rarities connoisseur to feast upon! Pop 1; none finer @ NGC. JR-1 (PCGS # 4497).
Estimated Value $110,000 - 120,000.
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Realized $95,000 |
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| Lot 3657 |
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1860 Clark, Gruber & Co (Denver, Colorado) $10 Gold. PCGS graded AU-58 PQ. Lovely golden toning on this Premium Quality coin. Two minor planchet flakes near the top of K and G on the obverse. A glistening example with a luxurious display of original luster remaining around and within the devices, and agreeable color on both sides. Wonderfully socked by the dies, as well, indeed fully so at the fanciful "peak" first recorded by Zebulon Pike on his journey of discovery in 1806. Clark, Gruber and Company is the most famous Colorado private gold minter.
The Pike's Peak gold rush began in 1859 but word of the discovery begand to spread East, West, South and North in the Fall of 1858. To further spark the public's interest, unbelievable fabrications began to appear in print, as though the mere reporting would establish the facts. On 18 September, 1858, the Wyandotte Gazette published a "reliable" account concerning $10,000 in gold dust which had come in from Pike's Peak: "One man brought in $600.00 as the result of a few weeks work. A small boy had $1,000,which he says 'he dug down and found,' and the little fellow says 'he can get all he wants.'" This undocumented account was reprinted in the Missouri Democrat on 24 September, and followed the next day by the report of a merchant from St. Joseph, who had come to St. Louis to buy a supply of bacon for the Pike's Peak trade. This and thousands of other newspaper accounts acted like a magnet to draw hopeful gold seekers to the region from which this $10 gold coin is an all-too-solid reminder of those half-forgotten days. Pop 6; 14 finer, 1 in 60, 4 in 61, 7 in 62, 2 in 63 (PCGS # 10137).
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
Provenance: Ex: Bowers and Ruddy The Garrett Collection Part I Nov. 1979 Lot 536. Ex: Aulick Collection Ex: The Brentwood Park Estate.
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Realized $31,000 |
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