Check out These Amazing Coins In The Michigan State Stacks Bowers Auction - closing Sunday!!
wondercoin
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Here are just some highlights of about $1,000,000.00 in wonderful coins I have consigned with SB. All of these coins listed below, I have consigned to Stacks Bowers Michigan State auction on behalf of myself, board members or customers. Send me a PM if you have any questions about any of the coins on this list:
1. Lot 21388: 1909(svdb) Lincoln Cent (PCGS-MS66+RD) - Amazing quality in my opinion and a great (unmentioned) pedigree. If you are interested in the coin, send me a PM for more information. Next step up for the extra 1/2 point is about $75,000 extra dollars!!
2. Lot 21398: 1922 NO D Strong Reverse Lincoln Cent (PCGS-MS63BN) - I tried to upgrade the coin for its owner a few times. Great example for a 63BN!
3. Lot 21436: 1856 Three Cent Silver (PCGS-PR66) - When its sold, see how long you will need to wait to see another PR66 come to market! Mintage of about 75 coins!
4. Lots 21438 and 21439: Not one but TWO lots of 1857 Three Cent Silvers grading PCGS-PR66! Est. mintage of 75-100 coins.
5. Lot 21442: 1860 Three Cent Silver (PCGS-PR67+)(CAC) - What can I say!!
6. Lot 21451: 1867 Three Cent Silver (PCGS-MS66) - Excessively rare coin!
7. Lot 21454: 1873 Three Cent Silver (PCGS-PR67 CAM) - Last year of its type and a true prize!
8. Lot 21466: 1866 Shield Nickel Rays (PCGS-PR66DCAM) - I sold the only higher grade coin of this date/style (the PR67DCAM and check out what that coin sold for at auction this time last year!! A fraction of the price for this great coin!!
9. Lot 21469: 1867 Shield Nickel No Rays Pattern Reverse (PCGS-PR66CAM) - "Only a handful of these are known currently, and doubtless not many more will be discovered as the reverse is easy to identify. On this particular coin, the stars point between the letters EN and TS of CENTS while on the regular issue No Rays Proofs the stars point down the upright posts of E and T of that word. It is the location of the reverse stars that confirms this die's prior use to strike some of the pattern issues of the Shield nickel series. Apparently the Proof die was in good condition after making the rare pattern coins, and the coiner determined that is was suitable to make additional Proof coins, these of the regular issue coins to be sold to collectors. No one noticed these rare mulings of a regular Proof die with a pattern reverse die until recently, and research through prior offerings found very few of these exist. As this important die variety becomes more publicized the demand will certainly exceed the meager supply. Here is what is likely the finest example of this issue known, and one that would mean a major step forward to even the most advanced specialist in the series."
10. Lot 21485: 1874 Shield Nickel (PCGS-PR66DCAM) - Wow!
11. Lot 21488: 1876 Shield Nickel (PCGS-PR67DCAM) - Try to find one nicer!!
12. Lot 21490 and 21491: Not one but TWO 1877 Shield Nickels grading PCGS-PR67 CAMEO!!
13. Lot 21496: 1882 Shield Nickel (PCGS-PR67+DCAM)(CAC) - So what we have here is the pinnacle quality of a Type Shield Nickel with DCAM surfaces and CAC approved (the ultimate Shield Nickel Type coin!) and the opening bid under $20,000? I saw that a 1989 NGC graded $50 Gold Eagle sold at auction recently for nearly $30,000! I love modern coins, but what am I missing?
14. Lot 21510: 1886 Liberty Nickel (PCGS-MS66): Way tougher than even the 1885 key date to locate in the top grade of MS66 for the 1886 date!!
15. Lot 21586: 1822 Capped Bust Dime (PCGS-MS66): "One of the rarest dime issues of the design type probably represented by a population no greater than 200 survivors in all grades combined (borderline R-3 to R-4) in our opinion, mostly in the range from Poor to Fine. The 1822 is very rare above the VF grade level, and exceedingly rare at the MS-64 level as offered here. The presently offered coin ranks as the third finest example of the date certified by PCGS. The mintage for 1822 dimes is said to be 100,000 pieces; if all the dimes coined during the year were from this solitary die pair, the survival rate would be a dismal 0.2%, or expressed another way a single coin per 500 minted. It seems much more likely that dated dime dies from earlier years continued to be used until they were worn out -- this despite rules to the contrary, and by inference the actual mintage for 1822-dated dimes is probably much smaller than 100,000 pieces."
16. Lot 21634: 1942/1 Mercury Dime (PCGS-MS66FB): "A glorious lilac patina blankets the angelic surfaces of this stunning Full Bands overdate. The luster enthusiastically dances with a subtle tilt, exposing the truly untouched nature of this Top Pop example. The 1942/1 obverse die was created as a consequence of two different obverse hubs having been used. It's thought that the issue was coined in late 1941 at which time both 1941- and 1942-dated obverse dies were being produced. Evidently a die was removed from a hubbing press after having received an impression from an obverse hub and then was placed in an annealing furnace to toughen the die steel. After cooling, it was reinstalled in the hubbing press to receive a second impression, but with a hub of the wrong date, and hence the final digit was visually expressed as 2/1. This occurred during World War II, at a time when the Mint's workforce was expected to maintain higher-than-normal quotas, consequently quality-control measures were sidestepped and mistakes were made. Only a few thousand impressions from this obverse die have survived to the present time, mostly in the VF to EF grade range. Mint state examples are rare, perhaps amounting to 200 or 300 piece all told. PCGS has awarded a grade of MS-66 to just 11 examples of the variety, with none finer; six of these are designated as FB examples."
17. Lot 21660: 1876 Twenty Cent (PCGS-PR66)
18. Lot 21669: 1843-O Liberty Seated Quarter (PCGS-MS64)
19. Lot 21671: 1850-O Liberty Seated Quarter (NGC-MS66). Pittman coin and considered nicest 1850-O quarter known.
20. Lot 21676: 1870 Liberty Seated Quarter (PCGS-MS66)
21. Lot 21677: 1875 Liberty Seated Quarter (PCGS-MS67+) (CAC). As good as it gets!!
22. Lot 21715: 1936 Washington Quarter (NGC-PR67)
23. Lot 21728: 1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar (NGC-MS65)
24. Lot 21861: 1870 Liberty Sealed Dollar (PCGS-PR66): "Vivid crimson-orange undertones backlight bolder patination of olive-copper, sandy-tan and lilac-silver. This is a beautiful Gem -- fully struck, vibrant in finish, and uncommonly well preserved for a Proof Liberty Seated dollar of any date. Although Mint records indicate that 1,000 Proof dollars were coined during the year, the two major certification services -- considered together -- have graded scarcely more than half that number. This suggests to us that many Proofs remained unissued only to be eventually reclaimed into bullion or paid out into circulation. The median grade for the issue is in the Proof-63 to 64 range, and Gem-quality examples are rare. PCGS has certified just nine examples that grade Proof-66 or finer, amounting to barely more than 3% of the total certified population."
25. Lot 22241: 1972 Ike Dollar TY 2 (PCGS-MS66) (CAC): Satiny golden-gray surfaces boasts superior technical quality and eye appeal in a circulation strike modern dollar of this increasingly popular design type. Three Philadelphia Mint 1972 varieties are recognized by collectors, but only the Type II, as offered here, is rare in high grades. The three varieties can most easily be distinguished from one another by differences in the appearance of the globe above the eagle's right wing (viewer's left). Descriptions of the three varieties in popular collector guides are rather terse and unhelpful (and Breen's Complete Encyclopedia has an incorrect photo), but NGC has an illustrated article on the topic which enables immediate identification, see: http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?NewsletterNewsArticleID=93. The reverse die(s) of the 1972 Type II Eisenhower dollar was/were from the same hub that was used previously for the production of some of the 1971-S Proof dollar dies. To our knowledge, the Type II reverse hub was retired in 1972, and no Type II dies are known for Eisenhower dollars dated 1973 or later. PCGS has certified just seven Type II 1972 dollars as MS-66 or finer, just a tiny fraction of 1% of the total certified population (edited to report exact number of coins graded at PCGS).
26. Lot 22402: 1954-S Washington Carver (PCGS-MS67): This was the original pop 1/0 coin and amazing quality for the grade!
27. Lot 22415: 1892 Columbian Exposition (PCGS-MS67): "This is a truly exceptional coin that demands a home in an exceptional collection. The surfaces are simply breathtaking as they are so close to perfection. Furthermore the luster is a feast for the eyes, and the entire appearance is outstanding. A condition rarity at this monumental grade level, and clearly one of the very finest of this popular issue."
28. Lot 22540: 1925 Norse Gold Medal (PCGS-PR65): "A wonderful gem example with handsome honey-gold patination is indoctrinated with faint teal suggestions in some areas, nicely echoing the nautical notions of this Matte Proof. Fully struck, and with uninterrupted luster, the present offering is surely among the most beautiful examples of this low mintage issue.
One of 100 struck in gold, 53 of which were melted as unsold, leaving a net mintage of only 47. After 90 years, the larger part of this surviving mintage has been lost or destroyed, leaving a mere handful of gold Norse pieces in existence for today's collectors. The present example with its delightfully high grade is a significant rarity, of the greatest interest to collectors of U.S. commemorative coins as well as to the rapidly increasing body of medal enthusiasts. All Norse pieces were struck on octagonal planchets, and the thick and thin silver strikes were almost the same overall diameter as U.S. commemorative half dollars. Coin collectors were made aware of the Norse-American medals when the great publishing tycoon Wayte Raymond included spaces for them in his trail-blazing National Albums of American commemorative coins. The gold specimens were unknown to most collectors, and one who recalled them was the late Max Braile of Jackson, Michigan, who long remembered acquiring one for $20 in the year of issue.
The guiding spirit behind the Norse-American commemorative issue was Representative Ole Juulson Kvale (1869-1929) of the Seventh Congressional District of Minnesota, which included Minneapolis. A Lutheran pastor, Kvale officiated at the second wedding of a brash, reform-minded fellow Congressman from New York City, Fiorello H. LaGuardia. Kvale wanted a commemorative half dollar, but since six issues were already authorized for 1925 he had to be content with a medal struck by the Philadelphia Mint with an eight-sided format assuring against confusion with coins. The bold use of Viking imagery has led many collectors to believe that the pieces hailed the voyage of Leif Erikson in 1000 AD. However, the event actually honored took place 800 years later, the arrival of the first organized immigration of Norwegians to the United States. This band of immigrants arrived on the sloop Restaurationen in 1825, settling in Orleans County, New York. This sloop appeared on a two-cent stamp hailing the same anniversary, paired with a five-cent stamp with the dragon ship. Individual Norwegians had arrived during the Colonial era, and more significant numbers came in the 19th century, settling in Minnesota and the upper Northwest. The 1825 event was chosen because of the organized character of the immigration. Commemorative maven Anthony Swiatek researched the Norse-American in his article "A Proud Heritage, the Story of the 1925 Norse Commemorative" in the June 1982 issue of The Numismatist, noting among other things that the artist's signature OPUS FRASER led one dealer to assert, "that must be the brother of James Earle Fraser," when in fact it is Latin for "the work of Fraser."
A great rarity, not often available for commemorative or medal specialists to bid on. As more information about such rarities is brought to light, and now with inclusion in the set registries, these previously esoteric and exotic items that were "add ons" are now often front row center in important collections."
29. Lot 22554: 1875 Pattern Shield Nickel (JUDD 1387) (Rarity 7+)(struck in Copper) (PCGS-PR65RD)!! "Struck from regular issue dies of the 1875 Shield nickel. Beautiful reddish-orange surfaces are semi reflective in the fields with satiny, razor sharp devices. A highly prized rarity among pattern specialists, this variety is seldom offered for public sale. The uspatterns.com website notes: "Although called regular dies trial pieces, these were more likely deliberately struck for sale to collectors as part of complete off-metal sets." The presently offered example of this rarity is the finest certified by PCGS within any color designation, something worth considering when planning your bidding activity." WHY IS THIS COIN WORTH LESS THAN 1/3 OF A PERFECT 1989 MS70 GOLD EAGLE - PLEASE TELL ME!!
30. Lot 22557: Undated (1857) Pattern Liberty Quarter Eagle. Uniface Obverse Die Trial. Judd-A1857-3. "White Metal Splasher. R-8!!! (PCGS-MS65): "A bust of Liberty faces left with 13 stars arranged around the border. Liberty is wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, and the design is virtually identical to that which the Mint used to strike regular issue nickel three-cent pieces. Uniform silver gray surfaces with a little bit of paper adhering to the central reverse, as made. This rarity from Judd's Appendix A listings is a classic example of Mint technology and the use of lead "splashers" for new designs -- they are known in many denominations and dates, especially from the mid-to-late 1800s. The present Gem example was obviously treated with the proverbial kid gloves as soon as it was received at the Mint, and then handled likewise down through the ages to collectors today. It is the only example of the issue certified by PCGS within any designation or grade; it is also the plate coin for the 10th Edition of the Judd reference. Have at it, specialists, and may the most sincere bidder win." OK ... AT LEAST THIS COIN IS WORTH HALF AS MUCH AS A PERFECT 1989 $50 GOLD EAGLE!!!!!
31. Lot 22558: Undated (1863) Pattern Two-Cent Piece. Uniface Obverse Die Trial. Judd-A1863-1, Pollock-3257. Unique (?). White Metal Splasher. MS-64 (PCGS)!! "Undated (1863) Pattern Two-Cent Piece. Uniface Obverse Die Trial. Judd-A1863-1, Pollock-3257. Unique (?). White Metal Splasher. MS-64 (PCGS)." Want to own something very rare!!
32. Lot 22632: 1918-S Five Centavos. Allen-4.08b. Muled with Small Date Reverse of 20 Centavos. MS-60 (NGC). Rare Muling of the 1918-S Philippines Five Centavos Obverse and 20 Centavos Reverse. "A classic rarity among the issues of the Philippines under United States administration. The issue is extremely rare in Mint State, as evidenced by the NGC Census data. Mules are the result of a mispairing of dies for different denominations that happen to be of the same diameter. In the present case, the five centavos obverse die was paired with a reverse intended for the 20 centavos issue; interestingly, the designs of the two reverses are extremely similar and could easily be mistaken. However, the proper reverse for the 5 centavos would have had a much narrower shield than seen here, which is the easiest identifier. Because the designs are so close, this error went undetected for several years before some sharp eyed numismatists noticed the difference. By this point, most had gone into circulation, and when these appear at auction, they generally appear in the Very Fine to Extremely Fine range. Usually a Mint State example only appears when a major collection of U.S. Administration Philippines coins is offered. This is an extremely important opportunity for the specialist."
33. Lot 22634: 1920 Manila Mint Opening, or Wilson Dollar. Gold. 38 mm. HK-1031, Shafer SC-A, Basso A128, Allen M-3. Rarity-9. Net MS-60 (ANACS). Unc Details--Cleaned. OH. Extremely Rare 1920 Wilson Dollar in Gold. Only Five Issued!! "An attractive piece that shows both sides aglow with a bright, satiny, medium gold luster despite the notation from ANACS. The strike is full, the surfaces are free of significant contact marks, and the cleaning is hardly noticeable apart from a touch of glossiness to the texture and a few extremely faint hairlines. This important rarity has significant "crossover appeal" among collectors of U.S. Philippines coins, as well as collectors of the extensive so-called dollar series. The design was crafted by Clifford Hewitt and the dies were engraved by George T. Morgan. Both obverse and reverse designs were inspired by Morgan's Assay Commission medals of 1882-1885 and 1919-1920.
The Philippine Islands were under U.S. sovereignty from December 1898 to July 4, 1946. The first U.S.-Philippine coins were struck at Philadelphia and San Francisco, but a new mint in Manila was begun during 1919 and opened during 1920. Engineer Clifford Hewitt was sent to Manila to supervise the construction and arranged for the striking of 2,200 silver and 3,700 bronze Wilson dollars to celebrate the new mint. Products of the only overseas United States mint, both silver and bronze examples are scarce and highly collectible in their own right. Vastly rarer are the five struck in gold. Neil Shafer (1961) stated that the president and secretary of war received gold examples while three remained in the islands, where they were presumed lost in battle in Manila or in the general devastation of World War II. Shafer and So-Called Dollars authors Hibler and Kappen reported that two gold pieces were then (1963) in private collections in California and Iowa. It seems as though the mintage number can be verified by the number certified: exactly 3 are currently certified by NGC and 1 by PCGS, add to those the example offered here, whether the other 4 represent different examples, or there is duplication from regrading and cross-overs. Regardless of the exact number known, this piece is extremely rare, and is extremely important as a type coin, essentially the only gold issue in the Philippines under U.S. Administration. The opportunity presented here should not be missed by the specialist collector."
And, see pics below for some cool error coins as well!! Stay tuned!
Wondercoin
1. Lot 21388: 1909(svdb) Lincoln Cent (PCGS-MS66+RD) - Amazing quality in my opinion and a great (unmentioned) pedigree. If you are interested in the coin, send me a PM for more information. Next step up for the extra 1/2 point is about $75,000 extra dollars!!
2. Lot 21398: 1922 NO D Strong Reverse Lincoln Cent (PCGS-MS63BN) - I tried to upgrade the coin for its owner a few times. Great example for a 63BN!
3. Lot 21436: 1856 Three Cent Silver (PCGS-PR66) - When its sold, see how long you will need to wait to see another PR66 come to market! Mintage of about 75 coins!
4. Lots 21438 and 21439: Not one but TWO lots of 1857 Three Cent Silvers grading PCGS-PR66! Est. mintage of 75-100 coins.
5. Lot 21442: 1860 Three Cent Silver (PCGS-PR67+)(CAC) - What can I say!!
6. Lot 21451: 1867 Three Cent Silver (PCGS-MS66) - Excessively rare coin!
7. Lot 21454: 1873 Three Cent Silver (PCGS-PR67 CAM) - Last year of its type and a true prize!
8. Lot 21466: 1866 Shield Nickel Rays (PCGS-PR66DCAM) - I sold the only higher grade coin of this date/style (the PR67DCAM and check out what that coin sold for at auction this time last year!! A fraction of the price for this great coin!!
9. Lot 21469: 1867 Shield Nickel No Rays Pattern Reverse (PCGS-PR66CAM) - "Only a handful of these are known currently, and doubtless not many more will be discovered as the reverse is easy to identify. On this particular coin, the stars point between the letters EN and TS of CENTS while on the regular issue No Rays Proofs the stars point down the upright posts of E and T of that word. It is the location of the reverse stars that confirms this die's prior use to strike some of the pattern issues of the Shield nickel series. Apparently the Proof die was in good condition after making the rare pattern coins, and the coiner determined that is was suitable to make additional Proof coins, these of the regular issue coins to be sold to collectors. No one noticed these rare mulings of a regular Proof die with a pattern reverse die until recently, and research through prior offerings found very few of these exist. As this important die variety becomes more publicized the demand will certainly exceed the meager supply. Here is what is likely the finest example of this issue known, and one that would mean a major step forward to even the most advanced specialist in the series."
10. Lot 21485: 1874 Shield Nickel (PCGS-PR66DCAM) - Wow!
11. Lot 21488: 1876 Shield Nickel (PCGS-PR67DCAM) - Try to find one nicer!!
12. Lot 21490 and 21491: Not one but TWO 1877 Shield Nickels grading PCGS-PR67 CAMEO!!
13. Lot 21496: 1882 Shield Nickel (PCGS-PR67+DCAM)(CAC) - So what we have here is the pinnacle quality of a Type Shield Nickel with DCAM surfaces and CAC approved (the ultimate Shield Nickel Type coin!) and the opening bid under $20,000? I saw that a 1989 NGC graded $50 Gold Eagle sold at auction recently for nearly $30,000! I love modern coins, but what am I missing?
14. Lot 21510: 1886 Liberty Nickel (PCGS-MS66): Way tougher than even the 1885 key date to locate in the top grade of MS66 for the 1886 date!!
15. Lot 21586: 1822 Capped Bust Dime (PCGS-MS66): "One of the rarest dime issues of the design type probably represented by a population no greater than 200 survivors in all grades combined (borderline R-3 to R-4) in our opinion, mostly in the range from Poor to Fine. The 1822 is very rare above the VF grade level, and exceedingly rare at the MS-64 level as offered here. The presently offered coin ranks as the third finest example of the date certified by PCGS. The mintage for 1822 dimes is said to be 100,000 pieces; if all the dimes coined during the year were from this solitary die pair, the survival rate would be a dismal 0.2%, or expressed another way a single coin per 500 minted. It seems much more likely that dated dime dies from earlier years continued to be used until they were worn out -- this despite rules to the contrary, and by inference the actual mintage for 1822-dated dimes is probably much smaller than 100,000 pieces."
16. Lot 21634: 1942/1 Mercury Dime (PCGS-MS66FB): "A glorious lilac patina blankets the angelic surfaces of this stunning Full Bands overdate. The luster enthusiastically dances with a subtle tilt, exposing the truly untouched nature of this Top Pop example. The 1942/1 obverse die was created as a consequence of two different obverse hubs having been used. It's thought that the issue was coined in late 1941 at which time both 1941- and 1942-dated obverse dies were being produced. Evidently a die was removed from a hubbing press after having received an impression from an obverse hub and then was placed in an annealing furnace to toughen the die steel. After cooling, it was reinstalled in the hubbing press to receive a second impression, but with a hub of the wrong date, and hence the final digit was visually expressed as 2/1. This occurred during World War II, at a time when the Mint's workforce was expected to maintain higher-than-normal quotas, consequently quality-control measures were sidestepped and mistakes were made. Only a few thousand impressions from this obverse die have survived to the present time, mostly in the VF to EF grade range. Mint state examples are rare, perhaps amounting to 200 or 300 piece all told. PCGS has awarded a grade of MS-66 to just 11 examples of the variety, with none finer; six of these are designated as FB examples."
17. Lot 21660: 1876 Twenty Cent (PCGS-PR66)
18. Lot 21669: 1843-O Liberty Seated Quarter (PCGS-MS64)
19. Lot 21671: 1850-O Liberty Seated Quarter (NGC-MS66). Pittman coin and considered nicest 1850-O quarter known.
20. Lot 21676: 1870 Liberty Seated Quarter (PCGS-MS66)
21. Lot 21677: 1875 Liberty Seated Quarter (PCGS-MS67+) (CAC). As good as it gets!!
22. Lot 21715: 1936 Washington Quarter (NGC-PR67)
23. Lot 21728: 1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar (NGC-MS65)
24. Lot 21861: 1870 Liberty Sealed Dollar (PCGS-PR66): "Vivid crimson-orange undertones backlight bolder patination of olive-copper, sandy-tan and lilac-silver. This is a beautiful Gem -- fully struck, vibrant in finish, and uncommonly well preserved for a Proof Liberty Seated dollar of any date. Although Mint records indicate that 1,000 Proof dollars were coined during the year, the two major certification services -- considered together -- have graded scarcely more than half that number. This suggests to us that many Proofs remained unissued only to be eventually reclaimed into bullion or paid out into circulation. The median grade for the issue is in the Proof-63 to 64 range, and Gem-quality examples are rare. PCGS has certified just nine examples that grade Proof-66 or finer, amounting to barely more than 3% of the total certified population."
25. Lot 22241: 1972 Ike Dollar TY 2 (PCGS-MS66) (CAC): Satiny golden-gray surfaces boasts superior technical quality and eye appeal in a circulation strike modern dollar of this increasingly popular design type. Three Philadelphia Mint 1972 varieties are recognized by collectors, but only the Type II, as offered here, is rare in high grades. The three varieties can most easily be distinguished from one another by differences in the appearance of the globe above the eagle's right wing (viewer's left). Descriptions of the three varieties in popular collector guides are rather terse and unhelpful (and Breen's Complete Encyclopedia has an incorrect photo), but NGC has an illustrated article on the topic which enables immediate identification, see: http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?NewsletterNewsArticleID=93. The reverse die(s) of the 1972 Type II Eisenhower dollar was/were from the same hub that was used previously for the production of some of the 1971-S Proof dollar dies. To our knowledge, the Type II reverse hub was retired in 1972, and no Type II dies are known for Eisenhower dollars dated 1973 or later. PCGS has certified just seven Type II 1972 dollars as MS-66 or finer, just a tiny fraction of 1% of the total certified population (edited to report exact number of coins graded at PCGS).
26. Lot 22402: 1954-S Washington Carver (PCGS-MS67): This was the original pop 1/0 coin and amazing quality for the grade!
27. Lot 22415: 1892 Columbian Exposition (PCGS-MS67): "This is a truly exceptional coin that demands a home in an exceptional collection. The surfaces are simply breathtaking as they are so close to perfection. Furthermore the luster is a feast for the eyes, and the entire appearance is outstanding. A condition rarity at this monumental grade level, and clearly one of the very finest of this popular issue."
28. Lot 22540: 1925 Norse Gold Medal (PCGS-PR65): "A wonderful gem example with handsome honey-gold patination is indoctrinated with faint teal suggestions in some areas, nicely echoing the nautical notions of this Matte Proof. Fully struck, and with uninterrupted luster, the present offering is surely among the most beautiful examples of this low mintage issue.
One of 100 struck in gold, 53 of which were melted as unsold, leaving a net mintage of only 47. After 90 years, the larger part of this surviving mintage has been lost or destroyed, leaving a mere handful of gold Norse pieces in existence for today's collectors. The present example with its delightfully high grade is a significant rarity, of the greatest interest to collectors of U.S. commemorative coins as well as to the rapidly increasing body of medal enthusiasts. All Norse pieces were struck on octagonal planchets, and the thick and thin silver strikes were almost the same overall diameter as U.S. commemorative half dollars. Coin collectors were made aware of the Norse-American medals when the great publishing tycoon Wayte Raymond included spaces for them in his trail-blazing National Albums of American commemorative coins. The gold specimens were unknown to most collectors, and one who recalled them was the late Max Braile of Jackson, Michigan, who long remembered acquiring one for $20 in the year of issue.
The guiding spirit behind the Norse-American commemorative issue was Representative Ole Juulson Kvale (1869-1929) of the Seventh Congressional District of Minnesota, which included Minneapolis. A Lutheran pastor, Kvale officiated at the second wedding of a brash, reform-minded fellow Congressman from New York City, Fiorello H. LaGuardia. Kvale wanted a commemorative half dollar, but since six issues were already authorized for 1925 he had to be content with a medal struck by the Philadelphia Mint with an eight-sided format assuring against confusion with coins. The bold use of Viking imagery has led many collectors to believe that the pieces hailed the voyage of Leif Erikson in 1000 AD. However, the event actually honored took place 800 years later, the arrival of the first organized immigration of Norwegians to the United States. This band of immigrants arrived on the sloop Restaurationen in 1825, settling in Orleans County, New York. This sloop appeared on a two-cent stamp hailing the same anniversary, paired with a five-cent stamp with the dragon ship. Individual Norwegians had arrived during the Colonial era, and more significant numbers came in the 19th century, settling in Minnesota and the upper Northwest. The 1825 event was chosen because of the organized character of the immigration. Commemorative maven Anthony Swiatek researched the Norse-American in his article "A Proud Heritage, the Story of the 1925 Norse Commemorative" in the June 1982 issue of The Numismatist, noting among other things that the artist's signature OPUS FRASER led one dealer to assert, "that must be the brother of James Earle Fraser," when in fact it is Latin for "the work of Fraser."
A great rarity, not often available for commemorative or medal specialists to bid on. As more information about such rarities is brought to light, and now with inclusion in the set registries, these previously esoteric and exotic items that were "add ons" are now often front row center in important collections."
29. Lot 22554: 1875 Pattern Shield Nickel (JUDD 1387) (Rarity 7+)(struck in Copper) (PCGS-PR65RD)!! "Struck from regular issue dies of the 1875 Shield nickel. Beautiful reddish-orange surfaces are semi reflective in the fields with satiny, razor sharp devices. A highly prized rarity among pattern specialists, this variety is seldom offered for public sale. The uspatterns.com website notes: "Although called regular dies trial pieces, these were more likely deliberately struck for sale to collectors as part of complete off-metal sets." The presently offered example of this rarity is the finest certified by PCGS within any color designation, something worth considering when planning your bidding activity." WHY IS THIS COIN WORTH LESS THAN 1/3 OF A PERFECT 1989 MS70 GOLD EAGLE - PLEASE TELL ME!!
30. Lot 22557: Undated (1857) Pattern Liberty Quarter Eagle. Uniface Obverse Die Trial. Judd-A1857-3. "White Metal Splasher. R-8!!! (PCGS-MS65): "A bust of Liberty faces left with 13 stars arranged around the border. Liberty is wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, and the design is virtually identical to that which the Mint used to strike regular issue nickel three-cent pieces. Uniform silver gray surfaces with a little bit of paper adhering to the central reverse, as made. This rarity from Judd's Appendix A listings is a classic example of Mint technology and the use of lead "splashers" for new designs -- they are known in many denominations and dates, especially from the mid-to-late 1800s. The present Gem example was obviously treated with the proverbial kid gloves as soon as it was received at the Mint, and then handled likewise down through the ages to collectors today. It is the only example of the issue certified by PCGS within any designation or grade; it is also the plate coin for the 10th Edition of the Judd reference. Have at it, specialists, and may the most sincere bidder win." OK ... AT LEAST THIS COIN IS WORTH HALF AS MUCH AS A PERFECT 1989 $50 GOLD EAGLE!!!!!
31. Lot 22558: Undated (1863) Pattern Two-Cent Piece. Uniface Obverse Die Trial. Judd-A1863-1, Pollock-3257. Unique (?). White Metal Splasher. MS-64 (PCGS)!! "Undated (1863) Pattern Two-Cent Piece. Uniface Obverse Die Trial. Judd-A1863-1, Pollock-3257. Unique (?). White Metal Splasher. MS-64 (PCGS)." Want to own something very rare!!
32. Lot 22632: 1918-S Five Centavos. Allen-4.08b. Muled with Small Date Reverse of 20 Centavos. MS-60 (NGC). Rare Muling of the 1918-S Philippines Five Centavos Obverse and 20 Centavos Reverse. "A classic rarity among the issues of the Philippines under United States administration. The issue is extremely rare in Mint State, as evidenced by the NGC Census data. Mules are the result of a mispairing of dies for different denominations that happen to be of the same diameter. In the present case, the five centavos obverse die was paired with a reverse intended for the 20 centavos issue; interestingly, the designs of the two reverses are extremely similar and could easily be mistaken. However, the proper reverse for the 5 centavos would have had a much narrower shield than seen here, which is the easiest identifier. Because the designs are so close, this error went undetected for several years before some sharp eyed numismatists noticed the difference. By this point, most had gone into circulation, and when these appear at auction, they generally appear in the Very Fine to Extremely Fine range. Usually a Mint State example only appears when a major collection of U.S. Administration Philippines coins is offered. This is an extremely important opportunity for the specialist."
33. Lot 22634: 1920 Manila Mint Opening, or Wilson Dollar. Gold. 38 mm. HK-1031, Shafer SC-A, Basso A128, Allen M-3. Rarity-9. Net MS-60 (ANACS). Unc Details--Cleaned. OH. Extremely Rare 1920 Wilson Dollar in Gold. Only Five Issued!! "An attractive piece that shows both sides aglow with a bright, satiny, medium gold luster despite the notation from ANACS. The strike is full, the surfaces are free of significant contact marks, and the cleaning is hardly noticeable apart from a touch of glossiness to the texture and a few extremely faint hairlines. This important rarity has significant "crossover appeal" among collectors of U.S. Philippines coins, as well as collectors of the extensive so-called dollar series. The design was crafted by Clifford Hewitt and the dies were engraved by George T. Morgan. Both obverse and reverse designs were inspired by Morgan's Assay Commission medals of 1882-1885 and 1919-1920.
The Philippine Islands were under U.S. sovereignty from December 1898 to July 4, 1946. The first U.S.-Philippine coins were struck at Philadelphia and San Francisco, but a new mint in Manila was begun during 1919 and opened during 1920. Engineer Clifford Hewitt was sent to Manila to supervise the construction and arranged for the striking of 2,200 silver and 3,700 bronze Wilson dollars to celebrate the new mint. Products of the only overseas United States mint, both silver and bronze examples are scarce and highly collectible in their own right. Vastly rarer are the five struck in gold. Neil Shafer (1961) stated that the president and secretary of war received gold examples while three remained in the islands, where they were presumed lost in battle in Manila or in the general devastation of World War II. Shafer and So-Called Dollars authors Hibler and Kappen reported that two gold pieces were then (1963) in private collections in California and Iowa. It seems as though the mintage number can be verified by the number certified: exactly 3 are currently certified by NGC and 1 by PCGS, add to those the example offered here, whether the other 4 represent different examples, or there is duplication from regrading and cross-overs. Regardless of the exact number known, this piece is extremely rare, and is extremely important as a type coin, essentially the only gold issue in the Philippines under U.S. Administration. The opportunity presented here should not be missed by the specialist collector."
And, see pics below for some cool error coins as well!! Stay tuned!
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Comments
Lot 22559 .. . Still many great error coins available for sale!
Or, Lot 22593 ... (GA State Quarter Deep Die Cap)
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Some very high end coins and very nice.
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