This is another outstanding early proof. This is the second listing this week where only a hand full of specimens is known. The Hansen Collection still need approx. 200 early (1801-1857) coins in his basic proof set. He is picking them off one at a time. His recent additions are not coins just filling holes, but are the finest known. With the January Fun show approaching, we may see Hansen add several great pieces from that auction. This new purchase goes into the Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1838-1857) set. JJ Pitman is the all-time registry leader, owning 14 of the 17 difficult coins required. Hansen has more work to do, he need 7 more coins for completion. It would be interesting to know how many of these coins are in the Smithsonian, which is not listed in the registry. The most interesting coins are the No Drapery (1838-1840) proofs. They are so rare and controversial that PCGS have certified only one. There are no known confirmable specimens for the 1940. I am sure as this collection grows; this may be a topic that we will explore in more detail at a future time.
The No Drapery proofs for all practical purposes do not exist. Still, all Early Liberty Seated Proof Quarters are rare. The PCGS Registry describes the 19 coins in this set the way: This set contains a number of rarities. PCGS has certified only one 1838 No Drapery, 1846 and 1850. No 1839 No Drapery, 1840 Drapery, 1842 Large Date, 1842 Small Date, 1843, 1844, and 1852 have been certified! The set also contains the ultra-rare Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays (a one-year type coin) and other major rarities. Well…let’s get started! This description need to be updated because Hansen has the only PCGS 1840 Drapery. Someone needs to let them know. When building a set of ultra-rare coins, most coins will be condition census specimens. Of the dozen coins in the Hansen set, four specimens are PCGS POP 1/0. The dog of the group is a PR63 1855 25C Arrows proof with PCGS POP 4/5. If this specimen is a dog, then it must a pedigreed show dog!
Let me share a description from a past Stacks Bowers auction that describes the coin as: As with all pre-1858 United States Mint Proof coinage, the 1843 Liberty Seated Proof quarter is a highly regarded rarity. The original mintage was not recorded, in keeping with the Mint's practice at that time, but undoubtedly only a few examples were struck for presentation and other special purposes. All known specimens were coined from the same die pair, the reverse of which was previously used to strike all known Proof 1841 quarters. We have confirmed the provenances for only seven Proof 1843 quarters, and believe that this accounts for the entire extant population of this exceedingly rare issue. As follows:
1 - PCGS Proof-65 Pittman-Kaufman Specimen (formerly NGC Proof-66). Ex Numismatic Gallery's ANA Sale of August 1946, lot 442; David W. Akers' sale of the John Jay Pittman Collection, Part II, May 1998, lot 1309; Heritage's sale of the Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets, August 2008, lot 1808; Heritage's CSNS U.S. Coin Signature Auction of April 2013, lot 4218.
2 - PCGS Proof-64 Thomas L. Smith Specimen Ex our (Stack's) sale of the Thomas L. Smith Estate, June 1957, lot 529; Heritage's sale of the Findley Collection, January 2009, lot 3763; Heritage's sale of the Bay State Collection, August 2009, lot 1085; Heritage's CSNS Signature Sale of April 2014, lot 5581.
3 - NGC Proof-64 Starr-Gardner Specimen. Ex B. Max Mehl's sale of the Dr. Christian A. Allenburger Collection, March 1948, lot 1015; our (Stack's) sale of the Floyd T. Starr Collection, October 1992, lot 403; our (Bowers and Merena's) Rarities Sale of August 1998, lot 155; Heritage's sale of the Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III, May 2015, lot 98374.
4 - NGC Proof-64 Pittman #2 Specimen. Ex Judge Joseph F. Sawicki, May 1948; David W. Akers' sale of the John Jay Pittman Collection, Part I, October 1997, lot 832, as part of a complete 1843 cased Proof Set; Heritage's Denver, CO Signature & Platinum Night Auction of August 2006, lot 5187, now being offered individually; Heritage's sale of the Joseph C. Thomas Collection, April 2009, lot 2351.
5 - Brilliant Proof Green-Carter Specimen. Ex Richard B. Winsor, purchased privately circa 1880; S.H. and H. Chapman's sale of the Richard B. Winsor Collection, December 1895, lot 1067; J. Schulman's sale of the Fernand David Collection, March 1930, lot 112; Col. E.H.R. Green; B. Max Mehl's offering of the Will W. Neil Collection, June 1947; our (Stack's) sale of the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Family Collection, January 1984, lot 630, part of an 1843 Proof Set.
6 - NGC Proof-53 No Pedigree. Ex our Baltimore Auction of March 2012, lot 3022.
7 - Proof Smithsonian Institution Specimen.
1843 Quarter Dollar Proof Cameo PR65 CAC (CERTIFICATION#: 25390193) PCGS POP 1/0
This specimen has been described over many years and auctions as the finest known. Stacks Bowers described the specimen as “Exceedingly Rare Proof 1843 Liberty Seated Quarter, The Pittman-Kaufman Specimen, Finest of Only Seven Examples Known”. The Stacks Bowers’ sale was the October 2015 Rarities Auction, where the coin sold for $70,500. Heritage sold this specimen twice, first in the 2008 July-August Baltimore, MD (ANA) US Coin Signature Auction where the coin sold for $74,750. This was the sale of the Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets. In the second sale five years later, the coin realized $10,000 less. In the 2013 April 24 - 28 CSNS US Coin Signature Auction in Chicago, the coin sold for only $64,625. In both the heritage sales, the coin was incased in a NGC PR66 holder. The Heritage description: Highly attractive medium intensity cobalt-blue and reddish-gold patina resides in the fields of this outstanding Premium Gem proof, yielding to primarily reddish-gold that is a shade lighter on the central devices. This hue variance accentuates somewhat the field-motif contrast, especially on the obverse. The design elements are fully defined throughout, enhancing even more the already stunning eye appeal. Even under magnification, the surfaces are free of contact marks and hairlines.
Hansen purchased the coin in a David Lawrence Rare Coins Internet Auction on December 2, 2018 for $82,500. It is the auction record for the 1843 Quarter Dollar Proof. Another interesting fact, the coin was recently listed on the Douglas Winter Numismatics website. Doug described as: One of an estimated 10 Proofs struck; it is likely that just five or six are known including one impounded in the Smithsonian. The rarity of Proof Liberty Seated quarters from the 1840′s is not well-known outside of the specialist community. And, some of the rarity levels have been exaggerated due to repeat offerings at auction in the last five to ten years. The reported mintage for Proof 1843 quarters is only 10 pieces and this seems likely given the numbers that survive. The current example is without a doubt the finest known. This piece shows lovely deep blue and red colors, in similar configurations, on the obverse and the reverse. The underlying surfaces are reflective and lack any significant hairlines or mint-made planchet imperfections. This is a clearly original coin which has never been lightened or tampered with and whose appearance is exceptional in every respect. There are three 1843 quarters graded PR64 by NGC and not all of these show original color. If you are looking for a blue-chip silver proof coin in an area of numismatics that seems like awfully good value, run the numbers on this 1843 Proof quarter. The coin is now listed as sold, with the selling price of $82,500. It is interesting that the two prices match.
The coin is valued by PCGS Price Guide at $120,000. This is one of few times we have seen Hansen purchase a coin significant below the list price. It is nice to see that DLH is continuing to work on his proof coins. This new coin is another very nice addition to the Proof Set.
Provenance: Pittman-Kaufman
In comparing to Eliasberg, I do not believe he obtained this proof coin. His collection had a mint state coin. Hansen has this magnificent new PCGS Proof-65 PCGS POP 1/0, in addition to 1843 MS65 PCGS POP 2/0. The Eliasberg coin was estimated grade MS64 that was sold by Bowers & Merena April 1997, price that realized $4,840. With Hansen having the finest known specimens in both finishes, this put him up 2-0 for 1843 quarter dollar.
I posted a new Early Seated Liberty Proof Quarter Dollar addition a couple days ago. In that discussion, I stated how tough it will be to complete this set of Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1838-1857). Yosclimber described as: So many stunners in this difficult set. Yes, there are a lot of stunners, and maybe one knockout punch. Hansen has acquired 10 of the 17 required coins. I want to highlight what is left and the difficulty of the last seven or eight.
All early proofs are difficult, so it not just limited to the Liberty Quarters. The Early Quarters Basic Set, Proof (1820-1838) may be more difficult than this set. PCGS describes that set as: No coin in the set is priced below $55,000 in Proof 64. PCGS has graded just 58 coins and several dates have had only 1 or 2 graded. The Hansen collection presently has only 3 of the 16 coins in that set. We can expect more discussion on that set on another day.
Back to the early proof quarters in the Seated Liberty set. Hansen has more work to do. He needs 7 more coins for completion of the registry set. This does not include the 1851 coin that is required in the 1851 PCGS Proof Set. If we count the 1851 coin, he will need 8. I will go into more details later on this coin. Of the remaining 7, there are 4 coins (1838, 1839, 1844, 1852) that have only one (unique) specimen each that is attainable for private purchase. The remaining 3 are relatively common for this set (1849, 1853, 1854). They have estimated survival populations of 5 to 25 each. This handful of quarters covers four of the types found in Liberty Seated quarter series.
Type 1, No Drapery
The Seated Type 1 with No Drapery is a three year type, consisting of only two years (1838, 1839) for Liberty Seated Proof Quarters. The total numbers of known coins for the type is only two! Acquiring at least one of these coins is important for DLH to have a specimen for his US Complete Proof Type set. These coins are very rare, expensive and controversial. There is no 1840 No Drapery proof quarter dollar. It does not appear any were produced at the Philadelphia Mint for MS or Proofs. Hansen will need to acquire both of these unique coins to complete his proof set.
1) 1838 25C Seated, No Drapery – One known specimen, PCGS PR63+
Only one Proof 1838 Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar is known to exist. This unique item first appeared in a 1954 Stack's auction and has appeared on the market only three times since then. Between 1957 and 2013 (over half a century), the coin was sequestered in an unknown collection. For a short time, this coin was one of the highlights of the Gene Gardner collection, who paid a record price for it in 2013. (Ron Guth)
2) 1839 25C Seated, No Drapery – One known specimen, NGC PR65
The 1839 No Drapery Quarter Dollar is one of the greatest Proof rarities of the entire United States series. It is believed to be unique, and it is known by only the Boyd-Pittman-Kaufman-Gardner coin in NGC PR65. According to Akers, Pittman considered this singular coin one of the highlights of his collection. At its peak in the sale of the Kaufmann collection, this coin sold for over half a million dollars. Subsequent sales have seen a downward trend and in the 2014 sale of the Gardner collection, this coin realized just over $270,000, barely more than half its peak price. (Ron Guth)
Type 2, No Motto
To complete the Registry Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1838-1857), Hansen will need 3 (maybe 4) additional specimens for this type. As always, there are other interesting twists. The 1851 date is not in the 1801-1964 Complete Proof Set. The set composition for the 1851 Proof Set (annual proof set) requires an 1851 proof quarter specimen. It is an interesting and I believe common inconsistency in the registry as in some sets a specific coin is required and other sets it may not. Another interesting piece on information, there are no certified 1842 Large Date Proofs by either PCGS or NGC. Also, this is similar with the 1853 No Arrow. Most sites do not list them as existing. In data produced in a Stanford University study, they list three 1842 Large Date proofs and 6 Small Date proofs. I believe it's extremely unlikely that any were made.
3) 1844 25C Seated – Two known specimens, PCGS PR65 and the other located in the Smithsonian
Pedigree for the only known PCGS Specimen: Numismatic Gallery, sold privately in 4/1948 - John Jay Pittman Collection - David Akers 10/1997:833 - Philip Kaufman Collection - Heritage 1/2008:3025, $322,000 - Scott Rudolph Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3764, $299,000 - Bay State Collection - Heritage 7/2009:1086, $276,000 - Greensboro Collection - Heritage 8/2013:5588, $258,500 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30404, $182,125
4) 1849 25C Seated – Est 3 to 5 known, 5- PCGS PR63-65 and 3- NGC PR63-66
The Proof 1849 Quarter Dollar is a very rare coin, with only five examples positively known to exist, with perhaps two to four more that may be out in the woodwork. All five of the known examples are well-preserved, starting at PR63 and going to PR66. The top two examples, both PCGS PR66, are from the Pittman and Eliasberg Collections. (Ron Guth)
(1851 Proof Set Only) 1851 25C Seated – No specimen positively traced, None certified by PCGS or NGC
The 1851 PCGS Mint Set requires this coin, even though there in no proof that I can find that exist. PCGS has assigned the coin number as 5545, but the coin is not listed in Coin Facts. NGC states: Though a single proof has been reported in years past, it is unlikely that any such coin exists. After 167 years, I guess the jury is still out on this one. John, I wish you luck in finding an 1851 “real” Proof specimen.
5) 1852 25C Seated – Two known specimens, NGC PR65 and the other housed in the American Numismatic Society
The 1852 proof is not only one of the greatest rarities in the Seated quarter series, but also in the entirety of United States proof coinage. Only two examples are known, one of which has been unattainable housed in the American Numismatic Society since 1908, when it was donated by J.P. Morgan, who had originally acquired it from R.C.H. Brock. The other piece, pedigreed to the legendary Pittman Collection, is the only example of this extreme rarity that is theoretically obtainable, and therefore ranks among the most sought-after single coins in the entire Seated quarter series. (HA)
Type 3, Arrows & Rays
This is a one year type. For Proof Type collectors, this coin is one of the show stoppers. Hansen has the #1 Registry Complete U.S. Type Set, Proof (1801-1964). The set is 89% competed and missing 4 silver coins. One is the Type 1, No Drapery mention earlier, and this Type 3. At some point, DLH should be able to pick up one of the coins described below. The Kaufman specimen would be a great addition.
6) 1853 Arrows & Rays 25C Seated – Est 8 specimens, 3- PCGS PF63-64 and 5- NGC PR64-67
Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays Quarter Dollars are extremely rare...and confusing. Some are stone-cold, undisputed Proofs, such as the Kaufman NGC PR66CAM that once sold for $276,000. Others, like the Norweb and Eliasberg examples, started out as Prooflike Mint State pieces but have subsequently been called Proofs. Even David Akers had trouble with the Pittman example because it was Proof on the obverse, but not Proof within the shield stripes on the reverse (Akers ended up calling the Pittman coin a Proof; NGC concurred by calling it a PR64). (Ron Guth)
Type 4, No Motto, Arrows
Hansen should be able to easily pick up an 1854 Specimen. He may be waiting for either the Eliasberg or Pittman specimen to become available. The Eliasberg last sold in 2009 for $48,875. The Pittman last sold in 2013 for $30,550.
7) 1854 Arrows Seated – Est 25 specimens, 13- PCGS PF63-65 and 10- NGC PR62-66
Proof 1854 Quarter Dollars are exceedingly rare. Estimates of ten to fifteen examples have been floated about, which seems to be be reasonable (we have images of nine demonstrably different examples, plus there are some examples we have not seen or for which we have not yet obtained images). The quality of the surviving examples is pretty good, usually in the PR64 to PR65 range, indicating that collectors purchased them and protected them well. Most are brilliant Proofs, though there are some Cameo examples. Unlike the Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays Proof Quarters, these are all convincing Proofs. The examples with the highest numerical grades are two NGC PR66's: one from the Pittman Collection and another from the Eliasberg Collection. (Ron Guth)
In data produced in a Stanford University study, they list three 1842 Large Date proofs and 6 Small Date proofs.
That's my web page https://web.stanford.edu/~clint/q/index.htm
and in the Notes page, I state the source is what Breen wrote in Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Coins (1988).
In his Proof Encyclopedia, for 1842 quarters, he wrote similarly:
Quarter Dollar. Small date, as in 1841. Six said to exist of this famous and extreme rarity, all from the same dies. (1) ANS, ex R. C. W. Brock, J. P. Morgan proof set. Said to have come from the mint in the year of issue, unverified. (3) Oscar Schilke estate, in the proof set. (4) Q. David Bowers, ex Steckler sale:39, ex "Vermont private coll.", ex Miles:918 at $12,000, "Century" :872, at $8,250, said to have cost $11,000; ex Jerome Kern: 1432, possibly originally H. P. Smith:801. (5) James A. Stack estate:55, $41,000. (6) SI, ex Mint. Large date. WGC: 151, probably reappearing in N.Y.state specialist set. Two others reported plus a couple of other impaired pieces. Cf. 1950 ANA: 1060, cleaned; Kern:1431.
https://www.pcgs.com/books/breen-proofs/Chapter06-004.aspx
While some of these are from auction listings where he did not see/verify the coin, others he would have seen.
As usual, with early proofs, they can be borderline and standards might change over time.
For example, the 1847 V-2 Eliasberg half dime was sold in the 2014-10 Gardner sale in a PCGS PR-67 slab, and then appeared in 2014-11 in a PCGS MS-67 slab.
In a recent posting, Gazes commented on how he measures a collection. He is amazed by more than just the top rarities. I was inspired by his comment to think how we could make a fun comparison between the world famous Eliasberg collection, and the new developing Hansen collection. I remember reading an old blog by Doug Winters on his website that could be used to compare the two sets. He developed a grouping of about 80-85 coins that he called “Stand Alone Coins”. He set the following criteria for developing this grouping:
The coin is rare but not so rare that it becomes esoteric. The appeal of the coin is widespread. Its "essence" is easily definable--it has a great story or interesting history. It has "cross appeal" --i.e. collectors in various series all want this particular coin. It is affordable. It exists in relatively high grades(s).
In Gazes’ comment, he called the coins that he is impressed by as “Unsung Heros”. I think the “Stand Alone Coins” and “Unsung Heros” may not be an exact comparison, but I hope this to be an interesting experiment for everyone. This will be a 15-part feature that I will try to update every Sunday. I have not looked ahead, so I do not know who will win this head-to-head competition. I will follow along like everyone else. So, to keep it fun, please do not look ahead. We will start with a couple half cents and conclude 15 weeks from now with a hand full of commemoratives. After the first week, the game is tied 1-1.
The Two Half Cents
1793 Half Cent: First year of issue; one of the first U.S. coins.
1796 Half Cent: Rarest single year of issue; lowest regular issue mintage.
Hansen Coin: 1796 PCGS MS65BN PCGS POP 2/7
Eliasberg Coin: 1796 PCGS MS67RB PCGS POP 1/0
Gaze Challenge
Half Cents - Tied 1-1
Overall - Tied 1-1
Winning Coins:
Hansen Collection 1793 Half cent
Eliasberg-Pogue Collection 1796 Half Cent
..
.. Next Week: Large Cents 1793 Liberty Cap Cent: The rarest of the three types of 1793 Cents. 1799 Cent: Rarest Large Cent and hardest to find choice.
I thought that I had completed the discussion for awhile on Early Proof Quarters. I have two other great coins to show you. One a gold proof eye candy piece and a very old heavy circulated half dollar. Since my last post, DLH has upgrade two of his early proof quarters. They are both certified PCGS POP 1/0. This improves the Hansen Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1838-1857) to 6 out of 12 coins with PCGS POP 1/0, with 7 coins still missing. For the two coins, the seller’s asking price was about $200,000 total. We have talked in past few days in great details about this tough series, so let’s cut right to the chase.
1845 Quarter Dollar PR65 (CERT#: 36652539) PCGS POP 1/0 replaces 1845 PR63 PCGS POP 1/4
This specimen is fairly new to the limited known population of 1845 Quarter Dollar Proofs. The present population now stands about 8 known and verified. PCGS places the mintage at 10. I believe the Hansen specimen is the same coin that appeared in an April 2016 Heritage CSNS Signature Auction in Chicago. The coin appeared as 1845 25C PR65 NGC (Briggs 5-E). It was described as “Modest Field-Device Contrast” and “Tied for Second-Finest of Eight Proofs”. The description indicated that the coin was from an old-time collection. Heritage described the coins as This Gem proof 1845 Seated quarter is tied with the Clapp-Eliasberg-Kaufman-Gardner coin as the second-finest known. Only the Menjou-Pittman-Kaufman-Gardner PR66 coin is finer. The present piece is a new discovery for our roster, appearing out of an old-time collection and here plated in an auction catalog for the first time. The number of proof 1845 quarters now tallies to eight, which matches the number of proof dimes known for this date. The Briggs estimate of "approximately 6 proofs" was formed while both the present coin and the Eric. P. Newman example were hidden away. This piece shows the boldly recut date that is diagnostic of the proof die pair. The strike is fully rendered, and a touch of field-device contrast accentuates warm amber-gold toning that blankets each side. Eye appeal is outstanding, even for the Gem grade.
I believe this to be a rare occasion that a NGC coin crossed over to a PCGS with the same grade. Rare may be a strong term, and someone may know how often this occurs. The Hansen coins that I have been tracking, I have not seen it happen much at all. The coin sold in the 2016 auction for $21,150. PCGS Price Guide places the value of the 1845 Quarter Dollar Proof PCGS PR65 at $120,000. Hummm. The auction record is for the fore mention Clapp-Eliasberg-Kaufman-Gardner NGC PR66 that sold in 2008 for $195,500. I wonder if that coin would cross straight over to a PCGS MS66.
The new Hansen coin was offered on the Rare Coins Wholesalers website and a third party. They have been a good source for Hansen coins the past couple months. The sale price was quoted for $125,500. If I have traced the pedigree correctly for this specimen, then someone did very well on this coin. The seller did not describe the specimen very well, rather the series: One of this writer's favorite U.S. coin series, the proof No Motto Seated Quarter is a very rare type. None of the issues in this series can even remotely be described as common, struck as they were during an era when numismatics in the United States was in its infancy. The 1851 is currently unkown in proof, and the remaining issues exist in very small quantities. The 1842 Small Date is a proof-only delivery.
Provenance: unknown
In comparing to Eliasberg, Coin Facts estimates his coin as PR64. William Dickinson Collection - S.H. & Henry Chapman 3/1894:387 - J.M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1437, $25,300 - Phil Kaufman Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:1112 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part IV - Heritage 10/2015:98497, $31,725. The coin is in a NGC holder and available for purchase at this website: https://www.rarecoinwholesalers.com/1845-liberty-seated-25c-no-motto-sku-130514
1845 Quarter Dollar Proof PR65 PCGS POP 1/0 - Hansen Collection
1856 Quarter Dollar Proof PR67CAM (CERT#: 30773137) PCGS POP 1/0 replaces 1856 PR65 PCGS POP 4/5
Like the previous PCGS POP 1/0, this coin is a disputed finest coin for 1856 Quarter Dollar Proofs. I believe the Hansen specimen is the same coin that was in the Simpson Collection and appeared in the Legend-Morphy 2014 sale as part of a complete 1856 Proof Set. The only true rival to this coin is the NGC PR67 Cameo Quarter that is from Phil Kaufman Collection. That coin has a brilliant white finish that is pretty much toneless on both sides. The survival rate is much higher for this coin, which may be close to the mintage of 30. Other than in Morphy set, I cannot find a past auction sale on Hansen new purchase. It is unknown how Simpson obtained the coin.
This coin was offered sale by Pinnacle Rarities. The sale price was quoted for $83,210. The coin sold on 12/3/2018. This price will smash the record auction sale of $69,000 for the white Kaufman NGC PR67 that was sold in 2007 by Heritage Auctions. Pinnacle description of the Hansen specimen: Perhaps only 25 to 30 survivors are known for this exceptionally rare proof issue, fewer than for either the half dime or dime of this year. All known 1856 proof quarters have an interesting reverse die bulge extending entirely throughout the wing from AM of AMERICA to the arrows and LOL of DOL. Heavy die polish lines are located below the eagle. The reverse die was carried over fro use on the proof 1857 quarters. Both sides have a gorgeous vibrant golden patina that is enhanced by a crescent of electric blue and violet on the left obverse periphery. This is the single finest graded example at PCGS, with the next closest being a PR64Cameo. In non Cameo, the highest is a PR65, and there are no Deep Cameo examples in any grade for the 1856. CAC certified.
Provenance: Simpson
The Hansen specimen is several grades better than the Eliasberg coin. The Eliasberg registry set describes his specimen as assumed graded Choice Proof, Ex: Harlan P. Smith Collection; S.H. and H. Chapman; J.M. Clapp; John H. Clapp; Clapp Estate; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Sold by Bowers & Merena Apr '97
1856 Quarter Dollar Proof PR67CAM PCGS POP 1/0 - Hansen Collection
my favorite coin books are about collectors and how they built their collection. Currin has essentially done this in real time with the Hansen collection using this thread. Well done and thank you!
@Gazes said:
my favorite coin books are about collectors and how they built their collection. Currin has essentially done this in real time with the Hansen collection using this thread. Well done and thank you!
I too enjoy reading about the building of great collections. If you have not read this, it is a really good read. I re-read over the Thanksgiving Holidays. I have enjoyed reading it more than once.
@Gazes said:
my favorite coin books are about collectors and how they built their collection. Currin has essentially done this in real time with the Hansen collection using this thread. Well done and thank you!
This 1871 Half Eagle Proof eye candy is latest addition to Hansen Basic Proof set. It is a beautiful piece, but not quite the finest according to PCGS. The mintage for this proof is published to be 30. PCGS places the survival to be around 14 known. The PCGS POP reports 3 total certified Proofs and 2 of them are certified Cameo Proofs (both shown below). The finest specimen is a new PCGS certified PF65+CAM. The PF65+CAM is not updated in Coin Facts. The Hansen specimen is the PCGS second finest, but has been the finest until very recently. The Finest Specimen is not traceable online yet. Being it is not listed in Coin Facts, there is no picture. After reviewing the roster of possibilities, I believe there is a very good possibility the new PCGS finest certified may be the Ed Trompeter Specimen. The Trompeter was last sold in a Heritage auction in 2015. The coin brought a record price of $73,437. The coin was a NGC PR66 Cameo. I could see this coin crossing into a PCGS PF65+CAM.
1871 Half Eagle PR65CAM CAC Cert 27443363 PCGS POP 1/1
This half eagle is second finest known specimen of the 3 PCGS certified 1871 proofs. This coin was sold in the 2014 Heritage Long Beach Expo Signature Auction. The coin realized $70,500. PCGS and Coin Facts do not list a value for this coin, so I have no real knowledge of how much this coin could bring in today’s market. This Hansen coin was recently listed by Rare Coin Wholesalers on their website and a third party. The coin was priced for $104,500. It is unknown to me what the coin actually sold for, but anywhere close to $100K would be a new record. The coin does have a rich history. The coin can be traced back to the T. Harrison Garrett Collection, Robert Garrett Collection, John Work Garrett Collection, and Johns Hopkins University Collection. Harry W. Bass, Jr. bought the coin, and since then, the coin has sold in several auctions. The coin does have a CAC sticker. This coin makes a great addition to collection that Hansen is assembling.
Provenance: Garrett Collection- John Hopkins Univ.-Harry W. Bass, JR
In a 2014 auction listing, Eliasberg was credited for having a PR65 uncertified. I am not sure how his specimen would stack up to this Hansen coin side by side. With what we know, I would leave them as a tie for now.
How do you think the Hansen PR65CAM CAC compares to the PCGS 65+CAM?
This 1871 Half Eagle Proof eye candy is latest addition to Hansen Basic Proof set. It is a beautiful piece, but not quite the finest according to PCGS. The mintage for this proof is published to be 30. PCGS places the survival to be around 14 known. The PCGS POP reports 3 total certified Proofs and 2 of them are certified Cameo Proofs (both shown below). The finest specimen is a new PCGS certified PF65+CAM. The PF65+CAM is not updated in Coin Facts. The Hansen specimen is the PCGS second finest, but has been the finest until very recently. The Finest Specimen is not traceable online yet. Being it is not listed in Coin Facts, there is no picture. After reviewing the roster of possibilities, I believe there is a very good possibility the new PCGS finest certified may be the Ed Trompeter Specimen. The Trompeter was last sold in a Heritage auction in 2015. The coin brought a record price of $73,437. The coin was a NGC PR66 Cameo. I could see this coin crossing into a PCGS PF65+CAM.
1871 Half Eagle PR65CAM CAC Cert 27443363 PCGS POP 1/1
This half eagle is second finest known specimen of the 3 PCGS certified 1871 proofs. This coin was sold in the 2014 Heritage Long Beach Expo Signature Auction. The coin realized $70,500. PCGS and Coin Facts do not list a value for this coin, so I have no real knowledge of how much this coin could bring in today’s market. This Hansen coin was recently listed by Rare Coin Wholesalers on their website and a third party. The coin was priced for $104,500. It is unknown to me what the coin actually sold for, but anywhere close to $100K would be a new record. The coin does have a rich history. The coin can be traced back to the T. Harrison Garrett Collection, Robert Garrett Collection, John Work Garrett Collection, and Johns Hopkins University Collection. Harry W. Bass, Jr. bought the coin, and since then, the coin has sold in several auctions. The coin does have a CAC sticker. This coin makes a great addition to collection that Hansen is assembling.
Provenance: Garrett Collection- John Hopkins Univ.-Harry W. Bass, JR
In a 2014 auction listing, Eliasberg was credited for having a PR65 uncertified. I am not sure how his specimen would stack up to this Hansen coin side by side. With what we know, I would leave them as a tie for now.
How do you think the Hansen PR65CAM CAC compares to the PCGS 65+CAM?
As promised a few days ago, I have a circulated half dollar to share. There are not many of these make the cut to post on Hansen Watch. This may be the first for a circulated half dollar. The coin is graded by PCGS as VF25. The coin is not a top pop. PCGS report shows 3 finer, but I don’t think there are 3, only 2. The known population for this very rare 1806 O-108 R7 Draped Bust Half Dollar is 7. From the Early Half Dollar Information Site, the coin is described this way: An XF40 leads the way with this marriage being pretty much impossible to obtain in any condition. The reverse die broke up early in its life, or perhaps a large quantity of these were sent someplace together and lost to history. Obverse-Sharp pointed small stars are clear of milling. Star 7 is 1 1/2 mm. from L and star 13 is a close 1/4 mm. to bust. Date is 9 mm., evenly spaced and high, I nearly touching curl, 6 is rather high and slender, with a taller and more open top than most of the knobbed variety. Center dot in hair. Some specimens show a wavy die crack from stars around top of LIBERTY to star 11. Reverse-Olive stem does not extend through eagle's claw. The only knobbed 6 variety found with this type reverse. 5 berries , 3 below the branch, the lowest of which has a very short stem and the two upper ones long stems. Leaf points to right base of I. AME touch or nearly so at base. Serif of A embedded in third feather but clear of fourth feather. A die crack joins top of UNITED which on late die states develops a cud. Weak spot in clouds below OF.
The seven known coins including auctions and sale records:
05/2015 (Stack's-Bowers) Pogue Specimen PCGS XF40 (realized $105,750) (2009 record $126,500)
10/1998 (Sheridan Downey) Brian Greer Specimen PCGS VF 35
11/2018 (Private Sale) Hansen-Overton Plate Specimen PCGS VF25 ($125,000 LIST PRICE)
01/2018 (Heritage FUN-Tampa) PCGS Genuine VF20 Detail (Cleaned) (realized $40,800)
02/2018 (Heritage - Long Beach) PCGS F12 (realized $60,000) (available by RCW for $99,500)
07/2008 (Heritage ANA- Baltimore) NCS F12 heavy thin scratches, improper clean (realized $25,300)
08/2017 (Downey MBS 45 ANA-Denver) PCGS VG8 ("a" model with cud top UNITE) (realized $60,500)
1806 Early Half Dollar (O-108, Knob 6, No Stem) VF25 (CERT#: 35895579) PCGS POP 1/3
This Major Variety Half Dollar is the 3rd finest known. I think the PCGS POP report is incorrect, because it list 2 PCSG certified VF35. I can only find one, the Brian Greer specimen. I believe the correct POP is 1/2, finest the Pogue XF40, second finest the Greer VF35, and third finest Hansen-Overton VF25.
This coin appears to have been offer for sale by Harry Laibstain Rare Coins. The coin briefly appeared on a third party internet site. The listed sale price for the coin was $125,000. The listing was removed for sale due to: This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available. The coin was describes as: Second finest of the rarest of all Redbook variety Bust Half Dollars. Only 7 known of this storied rarity. See Tompkins Plate of the seven coins and pedigrees. Listed as VF 35, this coin sold to well-known dealer Larry Briggs in 1989 for 50K! Don't miss this chance to add this great rarity to your Bust Half Redbook set. The listing ended November 11th. The coin briefly appeared on Amazon. It is unknown to me what the coin actually sold for, but I feel comfortable the Pogue 2008 record still stands (for now).
The coin can be traced back to 1950s, where it was first part of the Phillip Straus Collection. It changed hands a few times before landing with Al Overton. I would think that was the time the specimen received the pedigree as “The Overton Plate” coin. There is no indication that the coin is CAC. The coin is very nice for age and wear.
Provenance: Overton Plate
After reviewing Eliasberg PCGS Set with Major Varieties, it does not appear that he ever obtained this coin. He had 4 of the 6 varieties of the 1806 half dollars including the finest known MS65 Pointed 6, No Stem. So, he had very nice No Stem specimen, but not the knob variety. With this update, Hansen has completed the 1806 half dollars varieties. This is one of the key coins in his attempt to have a complete set with Major Varieties. This coin is certainly a top 10 on the list. He has a little over 60 coins remaining. As he gets closer, I am sure the discussion around Major Varieties will pick up steam.
Hansen - Overton 1806 Early Half Dollar (O-108, Knob 6, No Stem) (3rd Finest of Seven Known)
Note:
A third party website shows David Lawrence Rare Coins having this coin listed for sale for $159,008.30 (Buy It Now or Best Offer). This whole listing seems weird, what’s with the $8.30? In the listing, DLRC describes as: An extremely rare variety in the Bust Half Dollar series that is a Rarity-7 in the Overton Guidebook. One of the most famous rarities in the denomination, only an estimated 7 pieces are known to exist. Pleasing, original surfaces with a medium brownish-gray tint, this piece is sure to please the collector of rare items.
This offer does not appear on DLRC website. I just find it to be interesting and maybe bogus.
In week number two update, we are comparing two Large Cents head to head. In this comparison, a really great Eliasberg coin boiled to the top, the 1793 Liberty Cap, PCGS MS64+BN specimen. I believe the coin is now in the High Desert Collection. This specimen certainly was much finer and famous than the Hansen example. The other coin in the contest was the 1799 Large Cent. The 1799 was a tie, with both collections having XF45BN examples. In the second week, Eliasberg takes the lead. Let’s see how Hansen contends next week when we compare Small Cents.
Large Cents
Liberty Cap Cent: The rarest of the three types of 1793 Cents.
Hansen Coin: 1793 (S-13 Liberty Cap) PCGS AU53BN (PCGS POP 1 /2, overall: 5/7)
Eliasberg Coin: 1793 (S-13 Liberty Cap) PCGS MS64+BN (Pop 1/0, overall: 1/0)
1799 Cent: Rarest Large Cent and hardest to find choice.
Next week: Small Cents
1856 Flying Eagle Cent: Rarest and most popular small cent.
1877 Indian Cent: Rarest Indian Head Cent.
1909-S VDB Cent: Most famous US small cent; a coin every collector wanted as a kid.
1955 Double Die Cent: Best known error coin; very distinctive appearance.
We saw a nice and expensive half dollar variety added to the collection last week. This dollar is not as expensive, but still impressive. This new Hansen Specimen is not one of the dollars mention in any of the Coin Facts data. The specimens that receive the most attention are the Hesselgesser, Miller, and Cardinal Specimens. They were AU53s, and the finest known before this Hansen coin was certified as AU55. The Hansen coin now stands alone on top as the finest 1798 Dollar of this variety.
This is a rare coin in this variety. There are no Mint States known. Q. David Bowers wrote a narrative on this coin in "Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia". He stated: 1798 BB-101 is another rare variety. Probably about 70 to 120 are known, most of which are well circulated. The average grade of F-19 is one of just a few to dip below the VF category. An AU or Mint State coin, if such could be found, would be regarded as a landmark item.
This Major Variety 1798 Dollar is finest known. I believe it to be a recently PCGS upgrade or recent newly certified. The finest specimens listed in Coins Facts are three AU53s, so the data has not been updated. Being the coin is not listed in Coin facts, this was a difficult specimen to trace. After some searching, I found the coin was offered by W. David Perkins on his website. The coin was described as 1798 $1 Large Eagle Pointed Finest Known Example of the 9 Five Stripes B-17, BB-101, R-5 Draped Bust Dollar PCGS AU55 He price the coin at $23,750. He further describe the coin as: This is the finest known example of the 1798 Pointed 9, 5 Lines (in the Shield) Type and is graded PCGS AU55. There are no Mint State examples none, nor are any examples graded higher. This coin is missing from most high grade Red Book and PCGS Registry Sets. This example is from the World's Greatest Collection (F.C.C. Boyd) which was sold in 1945 and is also ex. Milferd Bolender and the Plate Coin in the Bolender early dollar book, and is from my personal reference collection of the "Dollars of 1798.
There is no indication that the coin is CAC. The auction record for this variety is $8,913 for PCGS AU53 specimen that sold 5-31-2012 by Goldberg Auctioneers. The provenance given to that coin is Cardinal Collection; The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection. I am little confused by the provenance because Coin Facts indicate Cardinal & Hesselgesser specimens to be two different coins. If Hansen paid anything close to the asking price by Perkins, then his specimen smashed the six and half year old auction record.
From reviewing Eliasberg PCGS set with Major Varieties, it does not appear that he ever obtained this coin. He had 2 of the 7 Major Varieties of the 1798 Draped Bust dollars. With this update, Hansen has completed the 1798 Draped Bust dollars Major Varieties, except for one, 1798 $1 Large Eagle, Knob 9, 4 Lines. As stated last week, he has a little over 60 Major Varieties coins remaining.
We saw a nice and expensive half dollar variety added to the collection last week. This dollar is not as expensive, but still impressive. This new Hansen Specimen is not one of the dollars mention in any of the Coin Facts data. The specimens that receive the most attention are the Hesselgesser, Miller, and Cardinal Specimens. They were AU53s, and the finest known before this Hansen coin was certified as AU55. The Hansen coin now stands alone on top as the finest 1798 Dollar of this variety.
In reply to @Currin, and first of all, thanks for your positive comments on this rare 1798 Dollar. It is a great coin.
This coin was in my personal collection of the "Dollars of 1798" by die marriage, a collection that I started in the 1980s. DLH acquired it from me in November 2018.
You are also correct in that Eliasberg never had an example of this type and die marriage. I have included below the complete pedigree as I know it.
This coin has been in early dollar specialist's collections since before 1945 when it was owned by F.C.C. Boyd (World's Greatest Collection). The known pedigree goes back at least to 1906 when it was sold in the Ben Green Gable and Schuyler sale.
I acquired it by trade in 2006. I'd wanted this exact Specimen for over 20 years at this time and "paid for it dearly." I never regretted doing so.
This coin was originally acquired when it was graded as NGC AU55. It crossed first time (2018) to PCGS AU53 . I sent to CAC one time after it had crossed to PCGS AU53; it received the green sticker. Recently crossed to PCGS AU55. I did not send it to CAC or try to "plus it" after being graded as PCGS AU55. It was recently sold to DLH.
Ex. Ben Green’s Gable and Schuyler sale May 25, 1906; Numismatic Gallery Sale of F.C.C. Boyd / World’s Greatest Collection (WGC) January 20, 1945:42; Milferd H. Bolender’s 183rd Sale (the sale of Bolender’s personal reference collection) February 23, 1952:64; This is the Plate Coin in Bolender’s book for 1798 B-17); Charles Ruby, Superior Galleries Gilhousen Sale Part 3 October 4, 1973:1236; Kreisberg’s Gainsborough Sale September 24, 1980:763; James Matthews / San Marino Collection of Bust Dollars Sale September 23 & 24, 2002:491; To W. David Perkins via a Private trade in 2006 for cash plus a 1795 B-10, BB-22 Dollar (Bolender’s Specimen and the Bolender Plate coin for the die marriage). To D. L. Hansen in late November 2018.
In addition, the Warren Miller Specimen of the 1798 B-17, BB-101 5 Lines, Ptd. 9 Dollar graded PCGS AU53 was sold privately by me to a collector for "just under $20,000" in 2015, also quite a bit more than the Hesselgesser Specimen you reference realized in the Goldberg's 2012 sale. Andy Lustig and I purchased and began selling the Miller Collection in late 2015. There were 169 early dollars and 118 different die marriages with an average grade of AU.
1796 Half Cent: Rarest single year of issue; lowest regular issue mintage.
Hansen Coin: 1796 PCGS MS65BN PCGS POP 2/7
Eliasberg Coin: 1796 PCGS MS67RB PCGS POP 1/0
I'd like to add something to consider. Just as we cannot actually compare two athletes or sports teams from a century apart except as a mostly fanciful exercise, the same must be true for coins. The equipment gets better, the season gets longer, and the players are in better condition. They run faster, weigh more, etc. For coins the grade standards change and new specimens are found or come on to the market. XF/AU's become MS. MS-67's get a plus. Mr. Hansen will probably reach his goal and become one of the greatest collectors with the best ever set in our time. It should not take anything away from those who assembled collections in the past.
First, I appreciate you dropping into the Forum and I appreciate the additional information. There are three things that I really like about great old coins like this one. First is grade/rarity, second is surface/device appeal, and third is history. The history or story behind the coin is what I find to be extremely fascinating. Some people may not care, but I love the story behind the coin. Last week when I first saw the rare half dollar and 1798 dollar, I knew the half dollar had a story. With the dollar, I was not as sure. When I started looking and searching, I came upon your website, then coin started to tell me a story. You have completed that story.
If I may, can I asked you a question? Do you foresee JB and DLH purchasing more of these hidden treasures from you? Your 1798 was not listed in Coin Facts pedigree and history. One of thousands of coins tucked away. I believe the Hansen Collection could become historic someday. Bowers stated the survival rate for this coin was 70 to 120 specimens. Hansen could have easily picked up a specimen, instead one of the finest or maybe the finest, with your help, found the way into the collection. I think this search for the best will make this collection very special. The amassing (as you phased “great coins”) is what makes a great collection.
Some folks don’t appreciate the way Hansen is building his collection. Publicly. I do because he allows me and others to see and learn about hidden and interesting coins, that I would not otherwise see... Thanks again Mr. Perkins for sharing with the community.
Currin seems to only compare the Hansen specimen with a Eliasberg specimen of the same date.
Why not compare the Hansen specimen with the finest known
Specimens of the same variety and date ?
Then Mr. Hansen could improve
the quality of his collection
The grade in the holder should not matter.
@STEWARTBLAYNUMIS said:
Currin seems to only compare the Hansen specimen with a Eliasberg specimen of the same date.
Why not compare the Hansen specimen with the finest known
Specimens of the same variety and date ?
Then Mr. Hansen could improve
the quality of his collection
The grade in the holder should not matter.
It's because this is the stated goal of the main circ/proof set:
About This Set: The Eliasberg Challenge. The goal is to build as complete a set as is possible in a better grade than the legendary Eliasberg. A worthy challenge Let the work begin!!!
Of course, many different goals or metrics for assessing quality / completeness are possible.
But it seems natural to use the goal that the collector is following.
There are several first in this posting. The first, first is this is the first time we have discussed the Walking Liberty Half Dollars. The Hansen coins in this series have not been impressive so far. The big dog in the series is Hall of Famer G. Forsythe. Now, his set is impressive, as it should be for the HOF status. Out of 65 required coins 11 (17%) PCGS POP 1/0, and 44 (67%) are finest PCGS or tied for finest. In comparison, Hansen’s set is #10 on the all-time list and he has no POP 1/0, or even tied for finest. Until this update, his best coin was the 1944-D MS67+ POP 18/1.
Hansen added two Walking Liberty Half Dollar upgrades to his collection. Both are firsts. The 1946-D MS67+ PCGS POP 9/0, is the first in his collection that is tied for finest. The coin we will discuss is the first undisputed finest, the 1937-D MS68 PCGS. I am not sure why DLH has waited so long to make an impact in this series. I guess that it could be because of the toughness of the series due to many of the best coins are not available. Beside the HOF set, there are two other strong sets that is completed with several fine and tied for finest coins. This is a very popular series, there are currently 16 sets that are 100% completed listed in the registry. There are a total of 111 sets listed. The registry description of the set: Walking Liberty half dollars will always be a favorite series with collectors. The series is GORGEOUS! The coins are often collected as three different sets (1916 to 1929, 1933 to 1940, and 1941 to 1947). The coins are challenging because of strike problems (especially for the late San Francisco issues) and low survival rates (such as the 1919-D and 1921-S). Because of tradition, the 1917-D and 1917-S varieties are included in this set.
1937-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS68 PCGS POP 1/0 - Undisputed Finest
If Hansen’s Walking Liberty Half Dollar set someday rises to the top, this will be the first impact coin in that journey. If my eyes are not deceiving me from comparing photographs, the 1937-D MS68 specimen is a recent crossover from only known MS68 NGC coin. The coin was the first (and only) specimen to be certified MS68 by TPG, PCGS or NGG. Another amazing point of interest, the coin has appeared in five Heritage Auctions beginning in 2002. The coin was once in the famous Robert Moreno Collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars. For nearly a couple decades now, this coin has been referenced as “the significant example” for this date and mint mark. From a 2005 Heritage Auction when the coin was sold for Moreno: Many specialists consider this issue to be one of the toughest dates in the entire 1934 to 1947 span, despite higher values for a few other issues. Considering all grades, only the 1934-S, 1935-D, and 1935-S issues have lower total NGC populations. For the connoisseur, it is important to realize that only 94 Walking Liberty Half Dollars have been graded finer than MS67 by NGC. This remarkable coin is truly a wonder to behold. Both sides are beautifully toned in mottled powder-blue and champagne-apricot shades that are partially ringed by golden-green peripheral shadings. The strike is well above average for this often poorly impressed D-mint issue, and one would be hard pressed to find a noteworthy distraction even if they were to take a loupe to the surfaces. Satiny in sheen, and the only MS68 example known to both NGC and PCGS (6/05).
To crossover from NGC to PCGS does not happen routinely. The specimen is not recognized by name in the Coin Facts Pedigree and History, so when the data is updated, this coin will go to the top, jumping 5 MS67+. The coin last sold in the Heritage 2018 ANA WFOM Signature Auction in Philadelphia. The coin was characterized as “Colorful MS68, Amazing Jewel-Like Superb Gem, The Finest Known”. The coin description was similar to 2005, and referenced: this is the only MS68 example known at either NGC or PCGS. There is still only one, but now it is in PCGS holder. The coin realized $14,400 in this auction a few months ago. Now my question, should the name of the company on the holder make any difference in the value of the coin? Let’s see.
This coin was recent offered for sale by Pinnacle Rarities. The coin headlined as: “1937-D 50C Walking Liberty Half Dollar PCGS MS68”. Only a short description was given: The uncontested finest example graded for the issue by PCGS. The flawless surfaces exhibit thick, cartwheel luster beneath a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors. Liberty's skirt lines and head details are nearly 100% full, while her hand and the eagle's leg display only minute softness. We love the Walking Liberty design, and when you find one with color like this they are a true delight to behold. A spectacular Walker deserving of inclusion in a world class Walking Liberty collection. The coin was listed for $74,500. If the listed price was achieved, then in just a few months, the coin increased in value by 500%. Let me conclude by saying this, I am using pictures for tracing the provenance. I feel pretty confident the two coins are the same, but I could be wrong.
Coin Facts price a PCGS MS68 at $77,500. So, the asking price by Pinnacle Rarities seems fair. It must have been, because JB has stated if the pricing is not fair, they will walk away. The coin does not appear to have a CAC, but I think it will at some point. This new upgrade would only be a start, if Hansen desires to be player in this series.
In comparing to Eliasberg’s specimen, his registry set describes his specimen as estimated grade MS64. The Eliasberg coin was sold by Bowers & Merena April 1997 as part of a large lot #2163.
1937-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS68 (PCGS Gold Shield)
PCGS Coin #6602 / PCGS Serial #36186393 / POP 1/0
Ex. New York, NY Signature Sale (Heritage, 7/2002), lot 8612, did not sell; Robert Moreno Collection (Heritage 7/2005), lot 10038, where it realized $18,400; FUN Signature Coin Auction (Heritage 1/2007), lot 1016, where it realized $23,000; Texas Signature Auction (Heritage, 11/2007), lot 1051, where it realized $21,275; ANA WFOM Signature Auction (Heritage, 8/2018), Lot 5159, where it realized $14,400; Hansen Collection purchased from Pinnacle Rarities, asking price $74,500
I wonder if John Brush can tell us how many of the upgrades come from Mr. Hansen actively seeking them out as opposed to coins being offered to Mr. Hansen?
Not to mention that he has 3 of the top 10 sets in the Mercury dime FB basic set. 2 in the top 5. Makes it very difficult for others to make the top 10, or the top 5 to get their set pedigreed.
@Gazes said:
I wonder if John Brush can tell us how many of the upgrades come from Mr. Hansen actively seeking them out as opposed to coins being offered to Mr. Hansen?
John B has told us that they are not chasing coins. With the numbers they are acquiring, I don’t think could if they wanted to. It appear to me, they are buying from several auction sites including ebay. It is amazing they are able to keep up as well as they do. I hope we hear from John soon.
Mr Perfecto-that is where you fail. NOT every CAC coin will cross. Many are just technical grades. And in my world, a top pop #1 coins needs BOTH EYE APPEAL and technical grade.
In week number three update, we are comparing four small cents. I hope this to be a fun game. In my first week posting, I described this challenge as “an interesting experiment”. Insider2 reminded us that it is hard to compare collections a half century apart. He described as a “fanciful exercise”. I agree, but I hope everyone have fun watching the progression of this game.
This is a week that Hansen ran the table. He had the best graded coin in 3 out of 4. It does not appear Eliasberg obtained an example of the 1955 Double Die Cent. I am using the registry, so if this is incorrect, please let me know and I will revise. Hansen has both varieties of the 1955 DDOs. I listed them below with a few others. After Eliasberg took the lead in week 2, Hansen now has a 3 coin lead after week 3.
Hansen’s five varieties for 1955 Lincoln.
1955 1C DDO FS-101 2827 MS65RD POP 20/1
1955 1C DDO FS-102 37909 MS65RD POP 33/3
1955-D 1C DDO FS-101 37918 MS66RD POP 10/3
1955-D 1C RPM FS-503 37924 MS64RD POP 46/23
1955-S/S/S 1C RPM FS-501 37933 MS66RD POP 39/6
Small Cent Challenge
1856 Flying Eagle Cent: Rarest and most popular small cent..
Hansen Coin: 1856 Flying Eagle - PCGS MS64 (PCGS POP 34/15, overall: 34/17)
Eliasberg Coin: 1856 Flying Eagle - Assumed MS63 (PCGS POP 38/49, overall: 42/51)
1877 Indian Cent: Rarest Indian Head Cent.
Hansen Coin: 1877 Cent - PCGS MS65RD (PCGS POP 25/11, overall 25/11)
Eliasberg Coin: 1877 Cent - Assumed MS65BN (PCGS POP 18/1, overall 18/529)
1909-S VDB Cent:Most famous US small cent; a coin every collector wanted as a kid.
Hansen Coin: 1909-S VDB Cent - PCGS MS67RD (PCGS POP 15/0, overall 15/0)
Eliasberg Coin: 1909-S VDB Cent - Est. MS66RB (PCGS POP 74/2, overall 74/2412)
1955 Double Die Cent: Best known error coin; very distinctive appearance.
Hansen Coin: 1955 Double Die Cent - PCGS MS65RD (PCGS POP 20/1, overall 53/4)
Eliasberg Coin: According to Eliasberg Registry Set, He did not have a specimen of this coin.
1937-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS68 (PCGS Gold Shield)
PCGS Coin #6602 / PCGS Serial #36186393 / POP 1/0
Ex. New York, NY Signature Sale (Heritage, 7/2002), lot 8612, did not sell; Robert Moreno Collection (Heritage 7/2005), lot 10038, where it realized $18,400; FUN Signature Coin Auction (Heritage 1/2007), lot 1016, where it realized $23,000; Texas Signature Auction (Heritage, 11/2007), lot 1051, where it realized $21,275; ANA WFOM Signature Auction (Heritage, 8/2018), Lot 5159, where it realized $14,400; Hansen Collection purchased from Pinnacle Rarities, asking price $74,500
Once again Hansen’s improves his Liberty Head $2.5 Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes set. This upgraded coin represents the first gold mintage for the New Orleans mint. The new specimen may be finest known and only Gem. The specimen is the only MS65 coin in the PCGS POP report. According Coin Facts, this is the finest specimen with a strong pedigree.
Doug Winter: The 1839-O quarter eagle is a historically and numismatically significant issue. It was the very first gold coin produced at the New Orleans mint. It is the only Classic Head issue of any denomination from this mint and the only New Orleans quarter eagle with the mintmark located on the obverse. The 1839-O quarter eagle appears to have been saved in greater quantity than older New Orleans issues of this era and it is less rare in high grades than most of the quarter eagles from the 1840s. Despite this fact it is extremely popular. The 1839-O quarter eagle is a popular one-year type coin featuring the distinctive Classic Head design on the obverse. It is common in all grades up to and including AU55. It becomes scarce in accurately graded AU58 and it is scarce in the lower Uncirculated grades. It becomes quite rare in MS63 although there are probably more examples known in this grade than any other quarter eagle from this mint. In MS64 and above, the 1839-O is very rare.
This replacement quarter eagle is the only known Gem specimen. The history of this coin is very rich. The coin is from the Pogue Collection. The providence traces the coin to Max Hubert Collection in 1970s. This coin has the auction record of $76,375. The record was achieved in the 2015 Stack's Bowers, The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part II. This is a former Akers Plate Coin. The auctioneer described the coin as: The only gem 1839-O quarter eagle known, this coin is blessed with superlative aesthetic appeal. The deep even yellow gold surfaces flood with luster at every angle, frosty and satiny, beautiful to behold. Both obverse and reverse are free of any major impact marks, showing just a short scratch in the field next to star 12 and some light wispy lines besides. A splash of deeper orange toning is present at the bust truncation. The strike is excellent, showing central details that few coins of this issue can rival. The reverse shows a fascinating crack that runs along I of UNITED before branching out, its main stream through the olive leaves and 2 in the denomination to the rim, a rivulet connecting the base of I to TED.
PCGS Coin Value places the value of this coin at $95,000. It appear the coin was purchased privately. I have not been successful in finding any addition information on the purchase. The coin is a nice addition to the collection.
The Hansen coin is a higher grade than Eliasberg specimen. His registry set describes Eliasberg specimen as MS62 estimated grade. He purchased his specimen when he acquired the John Clapp collection in 1942. The coin was sold for $4,840 at the Bowers & Ruddy Oct '82 Eliasberg sale.
Provenance: Max Humbert Collection - Paramount “Auction '79” 7/1979:227 - Paul Nugget, sold privately in 7/2003 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 9/2015:2068, $76,375
The Finest Known Hansen-Pogue 1839-O Quarter Eagle PCGS MS65
@Gazes said:
we are really witnessing something very special
Really? Man has money. Man buys stuff. Something really special? Happens every day. What's so special?
Really? you think that all this is a guy with money buying stuff? What is special is a man has taken on a challenge that a couple years ago many doubted he could accomplish. His relentless pursuit of obtaining not only each coin but putting together in one collection so many top pops shows a passion that as collectors we should admire. There are alot of people who have money but Hansen has put his money where his mouth is and spent hundreds of millions in pursuit of his dream.
@Gazes said:
we are really witnessing something very special
Really? Man has money. Man buys stuff. Something really special? Happens every day. What's so special?
How do you feel when your not so well off friends say the same thing about you and your collection?
Show some class...
I'll tell you EXACTLY how I feel about it. All of my friends are not so well off as me. In fact they are the men I work with every day. All of them are hard working, family men who are also illegal immigrants and POOR. So how do I handle it? I don't talk about my collection around them. It wouldn't be very classy on my part. SO.......to put it simply, my not so well off friends never say anything about my collection because they don't know about it and even if they did they wouldn't care because they have more important things on their minds like how to put food on the table. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
@Gazes said:
we are really witnessing something very special
Really? Man has money. Man buys stuff. Something really special? Happens every day. What's so special?
How do you feel when your not so well off friends say the same thing about you and your collection?
Show some class...
I'll tell you EXACTLY how I feel about it. All of my friends are not so well off as me. In fact they are the men I work with every day. All of them are hard working, family men who are also illegal immigrants and POOR. So how do I handle it? I don't talk about my collection around them. It wouldn't be very classy on my part. SO.......to put it simply, my not so well off friends never say anything about my collection because they don't know about it and even if they did they wouldn't care because they have more important things on their minds like how to put food on the table. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
this is a coin forum---we talk about coins and collections
IMHO, he started off not doing anything but spending money, but over the last year he has turned the corner on quality and is now doing something special ... and on his way to doing something so special that it may never be replicated, which is how everyone felt about Eliasberg. Now with the quality and credibility of the coins he is adding, Hansen is on a path to doing what he said he was going to do: surpass Eliasberg's collection. You may not like how quickly he has done it, but that is a function of communication technology, not the qualitative value of the collection.
@Gazes said:
we are really witnessing something very special
Really? Man has money. Man buys stuff. Something really special? Happens every day. What's so special?
How do you feel when your not so well off friends say the same thing about you and your collection?
Show some class...
I'll tell you EXACTLY how I feel about it. All of my friends are not so well off as me. In fact they are the men I work with every day. All of them are hard working, family men who are also illegal immigrants and POOR. So how do I handle it? I don't talk about my collection around them. It wouldn't be very classy on my part. SO.......to put it simply, my not so well off friends never say anything about my collection because they don't know about it and even if they did they wouldn't care because they have more important things on their minds like how to put food on the table. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
this is a coin forum---we talk about coins and collections
The man asked me a question about my "not so well off friends."
Are they "coins and collections related?" I don't think so. I just answered his question. You're talking to the wrong guy.
Comments
New Early Proof Quarter Dollar Addition
This is another outstanding early proof. This is the second listing this week where only a hand full of specimens is known. The Hansen Collection still need approx. 200 early (1801-1857) coins in his basic proof set. He is picking them off one at a time. His recent additions are not coins just filling holes, but are the finest known. With the January Fun show approaching, we may see Hansen add several great pieces from that auction. This new purchase goes into the Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1838-1857) set. JJ Pitman is the all-time registry leader, owning 14 of the 17 difficult coins required. Hansen has more work to do, he need 7 more coins for completion. It would be interesting to know how many of these coins are in the Smithsonian, which is not listed in the registry. The most interesting coins are the No Drapery (1838-1840) proofs. They are so rare and controversial that PCGS have certified only one. There are no known confirmable specimens for the 1940. I am sure as this collection grows; this may be a topic that we will explore in more detail at a future time.
The No Drapery proofs for all practical purposes do not exist. Still, all Early Liberty Seated Proof Quarters are rare. The PCGS Registry describes the 19 coins in this set the way: This set contains a number of rarities. PCGS has certified only one 1838 No Drapery, 1846 and 1850. No 1839 No Drapery, 1840 Drapery, 1842 Large Date, 1842 Small Date, 1843, 1844, and 1852 have been certified! The set also contains the ultra-rare Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays (a one-year type coin) and other major rarities. Well…let’s get started! This description need to be updated because Hansen has the only PCGS 1840 Drapery. Someone needs to let them know. When building a set of ultra-rare coins, most coins will be condition census specimens. Of the dozen coins in the Hansen set, four specimens are PCGS POP 1/0. The dog of the group is a PR63 1855 25C Arrows proof with PCGS POP 4/5. If this specimen is a dog, then it must a pedigreed show dog!
Let me share a description from a past Stacks Bowers auction that describes the coin as: As with all pre-1858 United States Mint Proof coinage, the 1843 Liberty Seated Proof quarter is a highly regarded rarity. The original mintage was not recorded, in keeping with the Mint's practice at that time, but undoubtedly only a few examples were struck for presentation and other special purposes. All known specimens were coined from the same die pair, the reverse of which was previously used to strike all known Proof 1841 quarters. We have confirmed the provenances for only seven Proof 1843 quarters, and believe that this accounts for the entire extant population of this exceedingly rare issue. As follows:
1 - PCGS Proof-65 Pittman-Kaufman Specimen (formerly NGC Proof-66). Ex Numismatic Gallery's ANA Sale of August 1946, lot 442; David W. Akers' sale of the John Jay Pittman Collection, Part II, May 1998, lot 1309; Heritage's sale of the Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets, August 2008, lot 1808; Heritage's CSNS U.S. Coin Signature Auction of April 2013, lot 4218.
2 - PCGS Proof-64 Thomas L. Smith Specimen Ex our (Stack's) sale of the Thomas L. Smith Estate, June 1957, lot 529; Heritage's sale of the Findley Collection, January 2009, lot 3763; Heritage's sale of the Bay State Collection, August 2009, lot 1085; Heritage's CSNS Signature Sale of April 2014, lot 5581.
3 - NGC Proof-64 Starr-Gardner Specimen. Ex B. Max Mehl's sale of the Dr. Christian A. Allenburger Collection, March 1948, lot 1015; our (Stack's) sale of the Floyd T. Starr Collection, October 1992, lot 403; our (Bowers and Merena's) Rarities Sale of August 1998, lot 155; Heritage's sale of the Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III, May 2015, lot 98374.
4 - NGC Proof-64 Pittman #2 Specimen. Ex Judge Joseph F. Sawicki, May 1948; David W. Akers' sale of the John Jay Pittman Collection, Part I, October 1997, lot 832, as part of a complete 1843 cased Proof Set; Heritage's Denver, CO Signature & Platinum Night Auction of August 2006, lot 5187, now being offered individually; Heritage's sale of the Joseph C. Thomas Collection, April 2009, lot 2351.
5 - Brilliant Proof Green-Carter Specimen. Ex Richard B. Winsor, purchased privately circa 1880; S.H. and H. Chapman's sale of the Richard B. Winsor Collection, December 1895, lot 1067; J. Schulman's sale of the Fernand David Collection, March 1930, lot 112; Col. E.H.R. Green; B. Max Mehl's offering of the Will W. Neil Collection, June 1947; our (Stack's) sale of the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Family Collection, January 1984, lot 630, part of an 1843 Proof Set.
6 - NGC Proof-53 No Pedigree. Ex our Baltimore Auction of March 2012, lot 3022.
7 - Proof Smithsonian Institution Specimen.
1843 Quarter Dollar Proof Cameo PR65 CAC (CERTIFICATION#: 25390193) PCGS POP 1/0
This specimen has been described over many years and auctions as the finest known. Stacks Bowers described the specimen as “Exceedingly Rare Proof 1843 Liberty Seated Quarter, The Pittman-Kaufman Specimen, Finest of Only Seven Examples Known”. The Stacks Bowers’ sale was the October 2015 Rarities Auction, where the coin sold for $70,500. Heritage sold this specimen twice, first in the 2008 July-August Baltimore, MD (ANA) US Coin Signature Auction where the coin sold for $74,750. This was the sale of the Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets. In the second sale five years later, the coin realized $10,000 less. In the 2013 April 24 - 28 CSNS US Coin Signature Auction in Chicago, the coin sold for only $64,625. In both the heritage sales, the coin was incased in a NGC PR66 holder. The Heritage description: Highly attractive medium intensity cobalt-blue and reddish-gold patina resides in the fields of this outstanding Premium Gem proof, yielding to primarily reddish-gold that is a shade lighter on the central devices. This hue variance accentuates somewhat the field-motif contrast, especially on the obverse. The design elements are fully defined throughout, enhancing even more the already stunning eye appeal. Even under magnification, the surfaces are free of contact marks and hairlines.
Hansen purchased the coin in a David Lawrence Rare Coins Internet Auction on December 2, 2018 for $82,500. It is the auction record for the 1843 Quarter Dollar Proof. Another interesting fact, the coin was recently listed on the Douglas Winter Numismatics website. Doug described as: One of an estimated 10 Proofs struck; it is likely that just five or six are known including one impounded in the Smithsonian. The rarity of Proof Liberty Seated quarters from the 1840′s is not well-known outside of the specialist community. And, some of the rarity levels have been exaggerated due to repeat offerings at auction in the last five to ten years. The reported mintage for Proof 1843 quarters is only 10 pieces and this seems likely given the numbers that survive. The current example is without a doubt the finest known. This piece shows lovely deep blue and red colors, in similar configurations, on the obverse and the reverse. The underlying surfaces are reflective and lack any significant hairlines or mint-made planchet imperfections. This is a clearly original coin which has never been lightened or tampered with and whose appearance is exceptional in every respect. There are three 1843 quarters graded PR64 by NGC and not all of these show original color. If you are looking for a blue-chip silver proof coin in an area of numismatics that seems like awfully good value, run the numbers on this 1843 Proof quarter. The coin is now listed as sold, with the selling price of $82,500. It is interesting that the two prices match.
The coin is valued by PCGS Price Guide at $120,000. This is one of few times we have seen Hansen purchase a coin significant below the list price. It is nice to see that DLH is continuing to work on his proof coins. This new coin is another very nice addition to the Proof Set.
Provenance: Pittman-Kaufman
In comparing to Eliasberg, I do not believe he obtained this proof coin. His collection had a mint state coin. Hansen has this magnificent new PCGS Proof-65 PCGS POP 1/0, in addition to 1843 MS65 PCGS POP 2/0. The Eliasberg coin was estimated grade MS64 that was sold by Bowers & Merena April 1997, price that realized $4,840. With Hansen having the finest known specimens in both finishes, this put him up 2-0 for 1843 quarter dollar.
Hansen – Pittman-Kaufman 1843 Quarter Dollar Proof Cameo PR65 CAC - Exceedingly Rare Proof
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
So many stunners in this difficult set.
I suspect the Set Registry descriptions and CoinFacts descriptions have gotten slightly out of date since Ron Guth has not been at PCGS for several months now.
If PCGS is looking for help with updated provenances, I wonder if they would like someone to work remotely? You, perhaps?
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/liberty-seated-quarters-major-sets/liberty-seated-quarters-proof-1838-1857/alltimeset/157372
This thread could cause nosebleeds now.
Super 1843 Quarter!
Currin deserves some sort of an award for his work on this thread.
Tremendous detective work!!!
Later, Paul.
Early Seated Liberty Proof Quarter Dollar
I posted a new Early Seated Liberty Proof Quarter Dollar addition a couple days ago. In that discussion, I stated how tough it will be to complete this set of Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1838-1857). Yosclimber described as: So many stunners in this difficult set. Yes, there are a lot of stunners, and maybe one knockout punch. Hansen has acquired 10 of the 17 required coins. I want to highlight what is left and the difficulty of the last seven or eight.
All early proofs are difficult, so it not just limited to the Liberty Quarters. The Early Quarters Basic Set, Proof (1820-1838) may be more difficult than this set. PCGS describes that set as: No coin in the set is priced below $55,000 in Proof 64. PCGS has graded just 58 coins and several dates have had only 1 or 2 graded. The Hansen collection presently has only 3 of the 16 coins in that set. We can expect more discussion on that set on another day.
Back to the early proof quarters in the Seated Liberty set. Hansen has more work to do. He needs 7 more coins for completion of the registry set. This does not include the 1851 coin that is required in the 1851 PCGS Proof Set. If we count the 1851 coin, he will need 8. I will go into more details later on this coin. Of the remaining 7, there are 4 coins (1838, 1839, 1844, 1852) that have only one (unique) specimen each that is attainable for private purchase. The remaining 3 are relatively common for this set (1849, 1853, 1854). They have estimated survival populations of 5 to 25 each. This handful of quarters covers four of the types found in Liberty Seated quarter series.
Type 1, No Drapery
The Seated Type 1 with No Drapery is a three year type, consisting of only two years (1838, 1839) for Liberty Seated Proof Quarters. The total numbers of known coins for the type is only two! Acquiring at least one of these coins is important for DLH to have a specimen for his US Complete Proof Type set. These coins are very rare, expensive and controversial. There is no 1840 No Drapery proof quarter dollar. It does not appear any were produced at the Philadelphia Mint for MS or Proofs. Hansen will need to acquire both of these unique coins to complete his proof set.
1) 1838 25C Seated, No Drapery – One known specimen, PCGS PR63+
Only one Proof 1838 Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar is known to exist. This unique item first appeared in a 1954 Stack's auction and has appeared on the market only three times since then. Between 1957 and 2013 (over half a century), the coin was sequestered in an unknown collection. For a short time, this coin was one of the highlights of the Gene Gardner collection, who paid a record price for it in 2013. (Ron Guth)
2) 1839 25C Seated, No Drapery – One known specimen, NGC PR65
The 1839 No Drapery Quarter Dollar is one of the greatest Proof rarities of the entire United States series. It is believed to be unique, and it is known by only the Boyd-Pittman-Kaufman-Gardner coin in NGC PR65. According to Akers, Pittman considered this singular coin one of the highlights of his collection. At its peak in the sale of the Kaufmann collection, this coin sold for over half a million dollars. Subsequent sales have seen a downward trend and in the 2014 sale of the Gardner collection, this coin realized just over $270,000, barely more than half its peak price. (Ron Guth)
Type 2, No Motto
To complete the Registry Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1838-1857), Hansen will need 3 (maybe 4) additional specimens for this type. As always, there are other interesting twists. The 1851 date is not in the 1801-1964 Complete Proof Set. The set composition for the 1851 Proof Set (annual proof set) requires an 1851 proof quarter specimen. It is an interesting and I believe common inconsistency in the registry as in some sets a specific coin is required and other sets it may not. Another interesting piece on information, there are no certified 1842 Large Date Proofs by either PCGS or NGC. Also, this is similar with the 1853 No Arrow. Most sites do not list them as existing. In data produced in a Stanford University study, they list three 1842 Large Date proofs and 6 Small Date proofs. I believe it's extremely unlikely that any were made.
3) 1844 25C Seated – Two known specimens, PCGS PR65 and the other located in the Smithsonian
Pedigree for the only known PCGS Specimen: Numismatic Gallery, sold privately in 4/1948 - John Jay Pittman Collection - David Akers 10/1997:833 - Philip Kaufman Collection - Heritage 1/2008:3025, $322,000 - Scott Rudolph Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3764, $299,000 - Bay State Collection - Heritage 7/2009:1086, $276,000 - Greensboro Collection - Heritage 8/2013:5588, $258,500 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30404, $182,125
4) 1849 25C Seated – Est 3 to 5 known, 5- PCGS PR63-65 and 3- NGC PR63-66
The Proof 1849 Quarter Dollar is a very rare coin, with only five examples positively known to exist, with perhaps two to four more that may be out in the woodwork. All five of the known examples are well-preserved, starting at PR63 and going to PR66. The top two examples, both PCGS PR66, are from the Pittman and Eliasberg Collections. (Ron Guth)
(1851 Proof Set Only) 1851 25C Seated – No specimen positively traced, None certified by PCGS or NGC
The 1851 PCGS Mint Set requires this coin, even though there in no proof that I can find that exist. PCGS has assigned the coin number as 5545, but the coin is not listed in Coin Facts. NGC states: Though a single proof has been reported in years past, it is unlikely that any such coin exists. After 167 years, I guess the jury is still out on this one. John, I wish you luck in finding an 1851 “real” Proof specimen.
5) 1852 25C Seated – Two known specimens, NGC PR65 and the other housed in the American Numismatic Society
The 1852 proof is not only one of the greatest rarities in the Seated quarter series, but also in the entirety of United States proof coinage. Only two examples are known, one of which has been unattainable housed in the American Numismatic Society since 1908, when it was donated by J.P. Morgan, who had originally acquired it from R.C.H. Brock. The other piece, pedigreed to the legendary Pittman Collection, is the only example of this extreme rarity that is theoretically obtainable, and therefore ranks among the most sought-after single coins in the entire Seated quarter series. (HA)
Type 3, Arrows & Rays
This is a one year type. For Proof Type collectors, this coin is one of the show stoppers. Hansen has the #1 Registry Complete U.S. Type Set, Proof (1801-1964). The set is 89% competed and missing 4 silver coins. One is the Type 1, No Drapery mention earlier, and this Type 3. At some point, DLH should be able to pick up one of the coins described below. The Kaufman specimen would be a great addition.
6) 1853 Arrows & Rays 25C Seated – Est 8 specimens, 3- PCGS PF63-64 and 5- NGC PR64-67
Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays Quarter Dollars are extremely rare...and confusing. Some are stone-cold, undisputed Proofs, such as the Kaufman NGC PR66CAM that once sold for $276,000. Others, like the Norweb and Eliasberg examples, started out as Prooflike Mint State pieces but have subsequently been called Proofs. Even David Akers had trouble with the Pittman example because it was Proof on the obverse, but not Proof within the shield stripes on the reverse (Akers ended up calling the Pittman coin a Proof; NGC concurred by calling it a PR64). (Ron Guth)
Type 4, No Motto, Arrows
Hansen should be able to easily pick up an 1854 Specimen. He may be waiting for either the Eliasberg or Pittman specimen to become available. The Eliasberg last sold in 2009 for $48,875. The Pittman last sold in 2013 for $30,550.
7) 1854 Arrows Seated – Est 25 specimens, 13- PCGS PF63-65 and 10- NGC PR62-66
Proof 1854 Quarter Dollars are exceedingly rare. Estimates of ten to fifteen examples have been floated about, which seems to be be reasonable (we have images of nine demonstrably different examples, plus there are some examples we have not seen or for which we have not yet obtained images). The quality of the surviving examples is pretty good, usually in the PR64 to PR65 range, indicating that collectors purchased them and protected them well. Most are brilliant Proofs, though there are some Cameo examples. Unlike the Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays Proof Quarters, these are all convincing Proofs. The examples with the highest numerical grades are two NGC PR66's: one from the Pittman Collection and another from the Eliasberg Collection. (Ron Guth)
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
That's my web page
https://web.stanford.edu/~clint/q/index.htm
and in the Notes page, I state the source is what Breen wrote in Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Coins (1988).
In his Proof Encyclopedia, for 1842 quarters, he wrote similarly:
https://www.pcgs.com/books/breen-proofs/Chapter06-004.aspx
While some of these are from auction listings where he did not see/verify the coin, others he would have seen.
As usual, with early proofs, they can be borderline and standards might change over time.
For example, the 1847 V-2 Eliasberg half dime was sold in the 2014-10 Gardner sale in a PCGS PR-67 slab, and then appeared in 2014-11 in a PCGS MS-67 slab.
Gazes Challenge –Part 1
In a recent posting, Gazes commented on how he measures a collection. He is amazed by more than just the top rarities. I was inspired by his comment to think how we could make a fun comparison between the world famous Eliasberg collection, and the new developing Hansen collection. I remember reading an old blog by Doug Winters on his website that could be used to compare the two sets. He developed a grouping of about 80-85 coins that he called “Stand Alone Coins”. He set the following criteria for developing this grouping:
The coin is rare but not so rare that it becomes esoteric. The appeal of the coin is widespread. Its "essence" is easily definable--it has a great story or interesting history. It has "cross appeal" --i.e. collectors in various series all want this particular coin. It is affordable. It exists in relatively high grades(s).
In Gazes’ comment, he called the coins that he is impressed by as “Unsung Heros”. I think the “Stand Alone Coins” and “Unsung Heros” may not be an exact comparison, but I hope this to be an interesting experiment for everyone. This will be a 15-part feature that I will try to update every Sunday. I have not looked ahead, so I do not know who will win this head-to-head competition. I will follow along like everyone else. So, to keep it fun, please do not look ahead. We will start with a couple half cents and conclude 15 weeks from now with a hand full of commemoratives. After the first week, the game is tied 1-1.
The Two Half Cents
1793 Half Cent: First year of issue; one of the first U.S. coins.
Hansen Coin: 1793 PCGS MS65BN PCGS POP 5/3
Eliasberg Coin: 1793 MS63BN
1796 Half Cent: Rarest single year of issue; lowest regular issue mintage.
Hansen Coin: 1796 PCGS MS65BN PCGS POP 2/7
Eliasberg Coin: 1796 PCGS MS67RB PCGS POP 1/0
Gaze Challenge
Half Cents - Tied 1-1
Overall - Tied 1-1
Winning Coins:
Hansen Collection 1793 Half cent
Eliasberg-Pogue Collection 1796 Half Cent
..
..
Next Week: Large Cents
1793 Liberty Cap Cent: The rarest of the three types of 1793 Cents.
1799 Cent: Rarest Large Cent and hardest to find choice.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Two New Early Proof Quarter Dollar Upgrades
I thought that I had completed the discussion for awhile on Early Proof Quarters. I have two other great coins to show you. One a gold proof eye candy piece and a very old heavy circulated half dollar. Since my last post, DLH has upgrade two of his early proof quarters. They are both certified PCGS POP 1/0. This improves the Hansen Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1838-1857) to 6 out of 12 coins with PCGS POP 1/0, with 7 coins still missing. For the two coins, the seller’s asking price was about $200,000 total. We have talked in past few days in great details about this tough series, so let’s cut right to the chase.
1845 Quarter Dollar PR65 (CERT#: 36652539) PCGS POP 1/0 replaces 1845 PR63 PCGS POP 1/4
This specimen is fairly new to the limited known population of 1845 Quarter Dollar Proofs. The present population now stands about 8 known and verified. PCGS places the mintage at 10. I believe the Hansen specimen is the same coin that appeared in an April 2016 Heritage CSNS Signature Auction in Chicago. The coin appeared as 1845 25C PR65 NGC (Briggs 5-E). It was described as “Modest Field-Device Contrast” and “Tied for Second-Finest of Eight Proofs”. The description indicated that the coin was from an old-time collection. Heritage described the coins as This Gem proof 1845 Seated quarter is tied with the Clapp-Eliasberg-Kaufman-Gardner coin as the second-finest known. Only the Menjou-Pittman-Kaufman-Gardner PR66 coin is finer. The present piece is a new discovery for our roster, appearing out of an old-time collection and here plated in an auction catalog for the first time. The number of proof 1845 quarters now tallies to eight, which matches the number of proof dimes known for this date. The Briggs estimate of "approximately 6 proofs" was formed while both the present coin and the Eric. P. Newman example were hidden away. This piece shows the boldly recut date that is diagnostic of the proof die pair. The strike is fully rendered, and a touch of field-device contrast accentuates warm amber-gold toning that blankets each side. Eye appeal is outstanding, even for the Gem grade.
I believe this to be a rare occasion that a NGC coin crossed over to a PCGS with the same grade. Rare may be a strong term, and someone may know how often this occurs. The Hansen coins that I have been tracking, I have not seen it happen much at all. The coin sold in the 2016 auction for $21,150. PCGS Price Guide places the value of the 1845 Quarter Dollar Proof PCGS PR65 at $120,000. Hummm. The auction record is for the fore mention Clapp-Eliasberg-Kaufman-Gardner NGC PR66 that sold in 2008 for $195,500. I wonder if that coin would cross straight over to a PCGS MS66.
The new Hansen coin was offered on the Rare Coins Wholesalers website and a third party. They have been a good source for Hansen coins the past couple months. The sale price was quoted for $125,500. If I have traced the pedigree correctly for this specimen, then someone did very well on this coin. The seller did not describe the specimen very well, rather the series: One of this writer's favorite U.S. coin series, the proof No Motto Seated Quarter is a very rare type. None of the issues in this series can even remotely be described as common, struck as they were during an era when numismatics in the United States was in its infancy. The 1851 is currently unkown in proof, and the remaining issues exist in very small quantities. The 1842 Small Date is a proof-only delivery.
Provenance: unknown
In comparing to Eliasberg, Coin Facts estimates his coin as PR64. William Dickinson Collection - S.H. & Henry Chapman 3/1894:387 - J.M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1437, $25,300 - Phil Kaufman Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:1112 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part IV - Heritage 10/2015:98497, $31,725. The coin is in a NGC holder and available for purchase at this website: https://www.rarecoinwholesalers.com/1845-liberty-seated-25c-no-motto-sku-130514
1845 Quarter Dollar Proof PR65 PCGS POP 1/0 - Hansen Collection
1856 Quarter Dollar Proof PR67CAM (CERT#: 30773137) PCGS POP 1/0 replaces 1856 PR65 PCGS POP 4/5
Like the previous PCGS POP 1/0, this coin is a disputed finest coin for 1856 Quarter Dollar Proofs. I believe the Hansen specimen is the same coin that was in the Simpson Collection and appeared in the Legend-Morphy 2014 sale as part of a complete 1856 Proof Set. The only true rival to this coin is the NGC PR67 Cameo Quarter that is from Phil Kaufman Collection. That coin has a brilliant white finish that is pretty much toneless on both sides. The survival rate is much higher for this coin, which may be close to the mintage of 30. Other than in Morphy set, I cannot find a past auction sale on Hansen new purchase. It is unknown how Simpson obtained the coin.
This coin was offered sale by Pinnacle Rarities. The sale price was quoted for $83,210. The coin sold on 12/3/2018. This price will smash the record auction sale of $69,000 for the white Kaufman NGC PR67 that was sold in 2007 by Heritage Auctions. Pinnacle description of the Hansen specimen: Perhaps only 25 to 30 survivors are known for this exceptionally rare proof issue, fewer than for either the half dime or dime of this year. All known 1856 proof quarters have an interesting reverse die bulge extending entirely throughout the wing from AM of AMERICA to the arrows and LOL of DOL. Heavy die polish lines are located below the eagle. The reverse die was carried over fro use on the proof 1857 quarters. Both sides have a gorgeous vibrant golden patina that is enhanced by a crescent of electric blue and violet on the left obverse periphery. This is the single finest graded example at PCGS, with the next closest being a PR64Cameo. In non Cameo, the highest is a PR65, and there are no Deep Cameo examples in any grade for the 1856. CAC certified.
Provenance: Simpson
The Hansen specimen is several grades better than the Eliasberg coin. The Eliasberg registry set describes his specimen as assumed graded Choice Proof, Ex: Harlan P. Smith Collection; S.H. and H. Chapman; J.M. Clapp; John H. Clapp; Clapp Estate; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Sold by Bowers & Merena Apr '97
1856 Quarter Dollar Proof PR67CAM PCGS POP 1/0 - Hansen Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
my favorite coin books are about collectors and how they built their collection. Currin has essentially done this in real time with the Hansen collection using this thread. Well done and thank you!
I too enjoy reading about the building of great collections. If you have not read this, it is a really good read. I re-read over the Thanksgiving Holidays. I have enjoyed reading it more than once.
https://coinweek.com/dealers-companies/stacks-bowers-dealers/building-world-class-numismatic-gold-coin-collection-josiah-k-lilly-collection/
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I agree.
Gold Half Eagle Proof Addition
This 1871 Half Eagle Proof eye candy is latest addition to Hansen Basic Proof set. It is a beautiful piece, but not quite the finest according to PCGS. The mintage for this proof is published to be 30. PCGS places the survival to be around 14 known. The PCGS POP reports 3 total certified Proofs and 2 of them are certified Cameo Proofs (both shown below). The finest specimen is a new PCGS certified PF65+CAM. The PF65+CAM is not updated in Coin Facts. The Hansen specimen is the PCGS second finest, but has been the finest until very recently. The Finest Specimen is not traceable online yet. Being it is not listed in Coin Facts, there is no picture. After reviewing the roster of possibilities, I believe there is a very good possibility the new PCGS finest certified may be the Ed Trompeter Specimen. The Trompeter was last sold in a Heritage auction in 2015. The coin brought a record price of $73,437. The coin was a NGC PR66 Cameo. I could see this coin crossing into a PCGS PF65+CAM.
1871 Half Eagle PR65CAM CAC Cert 27443363 PCGS POP 1/1
This half eagle is second finest known specimen of the 3 PCGS certified 1871 proofs. This coin was sold in the 2014 Heritage Long Beach Expo Signature Auction. The coin realized $70,500. PCGS and Coin Facts do not list a value for this coin, so I have no real knowledge of how much this coin could bring in today’s market. This Hansen coin was recently listed by Rare Coin Wholesalers on their website and a third party. The coin was priced for $104,500. It is unknown to me what the coin actually sold for, but anywhere close to $100K would be a new record. The coin does have a rich history. The coin can be traced back to the T. Harrison Garrett Collection, Robert Garrett Collection, John Work Garrett Collection, and Johns Hopkins University Collection. Harry W. Bass, Jr. bought the coin, and since then, the coin has sold in several auctions. The coin does have a CAC sticker. This coin makes a great addition to collection that Hansen is assembling.
Provenance: Garrett Collection- John Hopkins Univ.-Harry W. Bass, JR
In a 2014 auction listing, Eliasberg was credited for having a PR65 uncertified. I am not sure how his specimen would stack up to this Hansen coin side by side. With what we know, I would leave them as a tie for now.
How do you think the Hansen PR65CAM CAC compares to the PCGS 65+CAM?
Hansen - Garrett-Bass 1871 Half Eagle PR65CAM CAC (PCGS Second Finest Known)
Ed Trompeter (2015 Picture) 1871 Half Eagle PR65+CAM (PCGS Finest Known- Picture Unverified )
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
would love to have to choose between these two!
Old Silver Heavy Circulated Half Dollar
As promised a few days ago, I have a circulated half dollar to share. There are not many of these make the cut to post on Hansen Watch. This may be the first for a circulated half dollar. The coin is graded by PCGS as VF25. The coin is not a top pop. PCGS report shows 3 finer, but I don’t think there are 3, only 2. The known population for this very rare 1806 O-108 R7 Draped Bust Half Dollar is 7. From the Early Half Dollar Information Site, the coin is described this way: An XF40 leads the way with this marriage being pretty much impossible to obtain in any condition. The reverse die broke up early in its life, or perhaps a large quantity of these were sent someplace together and lost to history. Obverse-Sharp pointed small stars are clear of milling. Star 7 is 1 1/2 mm. from L and star 13 is a close 1/4 mm. to bust. Date is 9 mm., evenly spaced and high, I nearly touching curl, 6 is rather high and slender, with a taller and more open top than most of the knobbed variety. Center dot in hair. Some specimens show a wavy die crack from stars around top of LIBERTY to star 11. Reverse-Olive stem does not extend through eagle's claw. The only knobbed 6 variety found with this type reverse. 5 berries , 3 below the branch, the lowest of which has a very short stem and the two upper ones long stems. Leaf points to right base of I. AME touch or nearly so at base. Serif of A embedded in third feather but clear of fourth feather. A die crack joins top of UNITED which on late die states develops a cud. Weak spot in clouds below OF.
The seven known coins including auctions and sale records:
05/2015 (Stack's-Bowers) Pogue Specimen PCGS XF40 (realized $105,750) (2009 record $126,500)
10/1998 (Sheridan Downey) Brian Greer Specimen PCGS VF 35
11/2018 (Private Sale) Hansen-Overton Plate Specimen PCGS VF25 ($125,000 LIST PRICE)
01/2018 (Heritage FUN-Tampa) PCGS Genuine VF20 Detail (Cleaned) (realized $40,800)
02/2018 (Heritage - Long Beach) PCGS F12 (realized $60,000) (available by RCW for $99,500)
07/2008 (Heritage ANA- Baltimore) NCS F12 heavy thin scratches, improper clean (realized $25,300)
08/2017 (Downey MBS 45 ANA-Denver) PCGS VG8 ("a" model with cud top UNITE) (realized $60,500)
1806 Early Half Dollar (O-108, Knob 6, No Stem) VF25 (CERT#: 35895579) PCGS POP 1/3
This Major Variety Half Dollar is the 3rd finest known. I think the PCGS POP report is incorrect, because it list 2 PCSG certified VF35. I can only find one, the Brian Greer specimen. I believe the correct POP is 1/2, finest the Pogue XF40, second finest the Greer VF35, and third finest Hansen-Overton VF25.
This coin appears to have been offer for sale by Harry Laibstain Rare Coins. The coin briefly appeared on a third party internet site. The listed sale price for the coin was $125,000. The listing was removed for sale due to: This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available. The coin was describes as: Second finest of the rarest of all Redbook variety Bust Half Dollars. Only 7 known of this storied rarity. See Tompkins Plate of the seven coins and pedigrees. Listed as VF 35, this coin sold to well-known dealer Larry Briggs in 1989 for 50K! Don't miss this chance to add this great rarity to your Bust Half Redbook set. The listing ended November 11th. The coin briefly appeared on Amazon. It is unknown to me what the coin actually sold for, but I feel comfortable the Pogue 2008 record still stands (for now).
The coin can be traced back to 1950s, where it was first part of the Phillip Straus Collection. It changed hands a few times before landing with Al Overton. I would think that was the time the specimen received the pedigree as “The Overton Plate” coin. There is no indication that the coin is CAC. The coin is very nice for age and wear.
Provenance: Overton Plate
After reviewing Eliasberg PCGS Set with Major Varieties, it does not appear that he ever obtained this coin. He had 4 of the 6 varieties of the 1806 half dollars including the finest known MS65 Pointed 6, No Stem. So, he had very nice No Stem specimen, but not the knob variety. With this update, Hansen has completed the 1806 half dollars varieties. This is one of the key coins in his attempt to have a complete set with Major Varieties. This coin is certainly a top 10 on the list. He has a little over 60 coins remaining. As he gets closer, I am sure the discussion around Major Varieties will pick up steam.
Hansen - Overton 1806 Early Half Dollar (O-108, Knob 6, No Stem) (3rd Finest of Seven Known)
Note:
A third party website shows David Lawrence Rare Coins having this coin listed for sale for $159,008.30 (Buy It Now or Best Offer). This whole listing seems weird, what’s with the $8.30? In the listing, DLRC describes as: An extremely rare variety in the Bust Half Dollar series that is a Rarity-7 in the Overton Guidebook. One of the most famous rarities in the denomination, only an estimated 7 pieces are known to exist. Pleasing, original surfaces with a medium brownish-gray tint, this piece is sure to please the collector of rare items.
This offer does not appear on DLRC website. I just find it to be interesting and maybe bogus.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I love to follow the progress of the collection.
Gazes Challenge –Part 2
In week number two update, we are comparing two Large Cents head to head. In this comparison, a really great Eliasberg coin boiled to the top, the 1793 Liberty Cap, PCGS MS64+BN specimen. I believe the coin is now in the High Desert Collection. This specimen certainly was much finer and famous than the Hansen example. The other coin in the contest was the 1799 Large Cent. The 1799 was a tie, with both collections having XF45BN examples. In the second week, Eliasberg takes the lead. Let’s see how Hansen contends next week when we compare Small Cents.
Large Cents
Liberty Cap Cent: The rarest of the three types of 1793 Cents.
Hansen Coin: 1793 (S-13 Liberty Cap) PCGS AU53BN (PCGS POP 1 /2, overall: 5/7)
Eliasberg Coin: 1793 (S-13 Liberty Cap) PCGS MS64+BN (Pop 1/0, overall: 1/0)
1799 Cent: Rarest Large Cent and hardest to find choice.
Hansen Coin: 1799/8 1C (S-188) PCGS XF45BN (PCGS POP 1/1, overall 2/3)
Eliasberg Coin: 1799 1C (S-189) PCGS BN XF45BN (PCGS POP 1/1, overall 2/3)
Gazes Challenge
Large Cents - Eliasberg 1-0-1
Overall - Eliasberg 2-1-1
Winning Coins:
Eliasberg 1793 Liberty Cap- Finest Known
Hansen 1799/8 Large Cent –Tied w/ Eliasberg
Eliasberg 1799 Liberty Cap Cent –Tied w/ Hansen
Next week: Small Cents
1856 Flying Eagle Cent: Rarest and most popular small cent.
1877 Indian Cent: Rarest Indian Head Cent.
1909-S VDB Cent: Most famous US small cent; a coin every collector wanted as a kid.
1955 Double Die Cent: Best known error coin; very distinctive appearance.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Wow. The 1799s are awesome.
Smitten with DBLCs.
Old 1798 Silver Dollar Variety
We saw a nice and expensive half dollar variety added to the collection last week. This dollar is not as expensive, but still impressive. This new Hansen Specimen is not one of the dollars mention in any of the Coin Facts data. The specimens that receive the most attention are the Hesselgesser, Miller, and Cardinal Specimens. They were AU53s, and the finest known before this Hansen coin was certified as AU55. The Hansen coin now stands alone on top as the finest 1798 Dollar of this variety.
This is a rare coin in this variety. There are no Mint States known. Q. David Bowers wrote a narrative on this coin in "Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia". He stated: 1798 BB-101 is another rare variety. Probably about 70 to 120 are known, most of which are well circulated. The average grade of F-19 is one of just a few to dip below the VF category. An AU or Mint State coin, if such could be found, would be regarded as a landmark item.
1798 Draped Bust (B-17 BB-101 5 Lines Pt 9) AU55 (CERTIFICATION#: 36604558) PCGS POP 1/0
This Major Variety 1798 Dollar is finest known. I believe it to be a recently PCGS upgrade or recent newly certified. The finest specimens listed in Coins Facts are three AU53s, so the data has not been updated. Being the coin is not listed in Coin facts, this was a difficult specimen to trace. After some searching, I found the coin was offered by W. David Perkins on his website. The coin was described as 1798 $1 Large Eagle Pointed Finest Known Example of the 9 Five Stripes B-17, BB-101, R-5 Draped Bust Dollar PCGS AU55 He price the coin at $23,750. He further describe the coin as: This is the finest known example of the 1798 Pointed 9, 5 Lines (in the Shield) Type and is graded PCGS AU55. There are no Mint State examples none, nor are any examples graded higher. This coin is missing from most high grade Red Book and PCGS Registry Sets. This example is from the World's Greatest Collection (F.C.C. Boyd) which was sold in 1945 and is also ex. Milferd Bolender and the Plate Coin in the Bolender early dollar book, and is from my personal reference collection of the "Dollars of 1798.
There is no indication that the coin is CAC. The auction record for this variety is $8,913 for PCGS AU53 specimen that sold 5-31-2012 by Goldberg Auctioneers. The provenance given to that coin is Cardinal Collection; The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection. I am little confused by the provenance because Coin Facts indicate Cardinal & Hesselgesser specimens to be two different coins. If Hansen paid anything close to the asking price by Perkins, then his specimen smashed the six and half year old auction record.
Provenance: Ex. WGC (Boyd), Bolender, Bolender Plate, Matthews, Perkins
From reviewing Eliasberg PCGS set with Major Varieties, it does not appear that he ever obtained this coin. He had 2 of the 7 Major Varieties of the 1798 Draped Bust dollars. With this update, Hansen has completed the 1798 Draped Bust dollars Major Varieties, except for one, 1798 $1 Large Eagle, Knob 9, 4 Lines. As stated last week, he has a little over 60 Major Varieties coins remaining.
Hansen – Boyd 1798 Draped Bust (B-17 BB-101 5 Lines Pt 9) (Finest Certified by PCGS)
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
The 1798 Dollar is a very nice pickup!
@Currin posted,
**Old 1798 Silver Dollar Variety **
We saw a nice and expensive half dollar variety added to the collection last week. This dollar is not as expensive, but still impressive. This new Hansen Specimen is not one of the dollars mention in any of the Coin Facts data. The specimens that receive the most attention are the Hesselgesser, Miller, and Cardinal Specimens. They were AU53s, and the finest known before this Hansen coin was certified as AU55. The Hansen coin now stands alone on top as the finest 1798 Dollar of this variety.
In reply to @Currin, and first of all, thanks for your positive comments on this rare 1798 Dollar. It is a great coin.
This coin was in my personal collection of the "Dollars of 1798" by die marriage, a collection that I started in the 1980s. DLH acquired it from me in November 2018.
You are also correct in that Eliasberg never had an example of this type and die marriage. I have included below the complete pedigree as I know it.
This coin has been in early dollar specialist's collections since before 1945 when it was owned by F.C.C. Boyd (World's Greatest Collection). The known pedigree goes back at least to 1906 when it was sold in the Ben Green Gable and Schuyler sale.
I acquired it by trade in 2006. I'd wanted this exact Specimen for over 20 years at this time and "paid for it dearly." I never regretted doing so.
This coin was originally acquired when it was graded as NGC AU55. It crossed first time (2018) to PCGS AU53 . I sent to CAC one time after it had crossed to PCGS AU53; it received the green sticker. Recently crossed to PCGS AU55. I did not send it to CAC or try to "plus it" after being graded as PCGS AU55. It was recently sold to DLH.
Here is the pedigree as I know it:
1798 $1 5 Lines Ptd. 9 B-17, BB-101 PCGS AU55 (Gold Shield)
PCGS Coin #40017 / PCGS Serial #36604558
Ex. Ben Green’s Gable and Schuyler sale May 25, 1906; Numismatic Gallery Sale of F.C.C. Boyd / World’s Greatest Collection (WGC) January 20, 1945:42; Milferd H. Bolender’s 183rd Sale (the sale of Bolender’s personal reference collection) February 23, 1952:64; This is the Plate Coin in Bolender’s book for 1798 B-17); Charles Ruby, Superior Galleries Gilhousen Sale Part 3 October 4, 1973:1236; Kreisberg’s Gainsborough Sale September 24, 1980:763; James Matthews / San Marino Collection of Bust Dollars Sale September 23 & 24, 2002:491; To W. David Perkins via a Private trade in 2006 for cash plus a 1795 B-10, BB-22 Dollar (Bolender’s Specimen and the Bolender Plate coin for the die marriage). To D. L. Hansen in late November 2018.
In addition, the Warren Miller Specimen of the 1798 B-17, BB-101 5 Lines, Ptd. 9 Dollar graded PCGS AU53 was sold privately by me to a collector for "just under $20,000" in 2015, also quite a bit more than the Hesselgesser Specimen you reference realized in the Goldberg's 2012 sale. Andy Lustig and I purchased and began selling the Miller Collection in late 2015. There were 169 early dollars and 118 different die marriages with an average grade of AU.
This 1798 Dollar is now archived on my website at http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/archive/1798-1-large-eagle-pointed-9-five-stripes-b-17-bb-101-r-5-draped-bust-dollar-pcgs-au55.html . __
For those interested there are three pages of early dollars in my archive: http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/archive.html?p=3
http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/
W. David Perkins Numismatics - http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/ - 25+ Years ANA, ANS, NLG, NBS, LM JRCS, LSCC, EAC, TAMS, LM CWTS, CSNS, FUN
@Currin said:
I'd like to add something to consider. Just as we cannot actually compare two athletes or sports teams from a century apart except as a mostly fanciful exercise, the same must be true for coins. The equipment gets better, the season gets longer, and the players are in better condition. They run faster, weigh more, etc. For coins the grade standards change and new specimens are found or come on to the market. XF/AU's become MS. MS-67's get a plus. Mr. Hansen will probably reach his goal and become one of the greatest collectors with the best ever set in our time. It should not take anything away from those who assembled collections in the past.
Thanks Mr. Perkins,
First, I appreciate you dropping into the Forum and I appreciate the additional information. There are three things that I really like about great old coins like this one. First is grade/rarity, second is surface/device appeal, and third is history. The history or story behind the coin is what I find to be extremely fascinating. Some people may not care, but I love the story behind the coin. Last week when I first saw the rare half dollar and 1798 dollar, I knew the half dollar had a story. With the dollar, I was not as sure. When I started looking and searching, I came upon your website, then coin started to tell me a story. You have completed that story.
If I may, can I asked you a question? Do you foresee JB and DLH purchasing more of these hidden treasures from you? Your 1798 was not listed in Coin Facts pedigree and history. One of thousands of coins tucked away. I believe the Hansen Collection could become historic someday. Bowers stated the survival rate for this coin was 70 to 120 specimens. Hansen could have easily picked up a specimen, instead one of the finest or maybe the finest, with your help, found the way into the collection. I think this search for the best will make this collection very special. The amassing (as you phased “great coins”) is what makes a great collection.
Some folks don’t appreciate the way Hansen is building his collection. Publicly. I do because he allows me and others to see and learn about hidden and interesting coins, that I would not otherwise see... Thanks again Mr. Perkins for sharing with the community.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Currin seems to only compare the Hansen specimen with a Eliasberg specimen of the same date.
Why not compare the Hansen specimen with the finest known
Specimens of the same variety and date ?
Then Mr. Hansen could improve
the quality of his collection
The grade in the holder should not matter.
It's because this is the stated goal of the main circ/proof set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/master-sets/u-s-coins-complete-set-major-varieties-circulation-strikes-proof-1792-1964/alltimeset/150011
So we are just comparing progress relative to this stated goal.
Of course, many different goals or metrics for assessing quality / completeness are possible.
But it seems natural to use the goal that the collector is following.
Who does Hansen's registry sets?
Somebody has to add that new 29 Saint to his date set.
My Saint Set
Walking Liberty Half Dollar
There are several first in this posting. The first, first is this is the first time we have discussed the Walking Liberty Half Dollars. The Hansen coins in this series have not been impressive so far. The big dog in the series is Hall of Famer G. Forsythe. Now, his set is impressive, as it should be for the HOF status. Out of 65 required coins 11 (17%) PCGS POP 1/0, and 44 (67%) are finest PCGS or tied for finest. In comparison, Hansen’s set is #10 on the all-time list and he has no POP 1/0, or even tied for finest. Until this update, his best coin was the 1944-D MS67+ POP 18/1.
Hansen added two Walking Liberty Half Dollar upgrades to his collection. Both are firsts. The 1946-D MS67+ PCGS POP 9/0, is the first in his collection that is tied for finest. The coin we will discuss is the first undisputed finest, the 1937-D MS68 PCGS. I am not sure why DLH has waited so long to make an impact in this series. I guess that it could be because of the toughness of the series due to many of the best coins are not available. Beside the HOF set, there are two other strong sets that is completed with several fine and tied for finest coins. This is a very popular series, there are currently 16 sets that are 100% completed listed in the registry. There are a total of 111 sets listed. The registry description of the set: Walking Liberty half dollars will always be a favorite series with collectors. The series is GORGEOUS! The coins are often collected as three different sets (1916 to 1929, 1933 to 1940, and 1941 to 1947). The coins are challenging because of strike problems (especially for the late San Francisco issues) and low survival rates (such as the 1919-D and 1921-S). Because of tradition, the 1917-D and 1917-S varieties are included in this set.
1937-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS68 PCGS POP 1/0 - Undisputed Finest
If Hansen’s Walking Liberty Half Dollar set someday rises to the top, this will be the first impact coin in that journey. If my eyes are not deceiving me from comparing photographs, the 1937-D MS68 specimen is a recent crossover from only known MS68 NGC coin. The coin was the first (and only) specimen to be certified MS68 by TPG, PCGS or NGG. Another amazing point of interest, the coin has appeared in five Heritage Auctions beginning in 2002. The coin was once in the famous Robert Moreno Collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars. For nearly a couple decades now, this coin has been referenced as “the significant example” for this date and mint mark. From a 2005 Heritage Auction when the coin was sold for Moreno: Many specialists consider this issue to be one of the toughest dates in the entire 1934 to 1947 span, despite higher values for a few other issues. Considering all grades, only the 1934-S, 1935-D, and 1935-S issues have lower total NGC populations. For the connoisseur, it is important to realize that only 94 Walking Liberty Half Dollars have been graded finer than MS67 by NGC. This remarkable coin is truly a wonder to behold. Both sides are beautifully toned in mottled powder-blue and champagne-apricot shades that are partially ringed by golden-green peripheral shadings. The strike is well above average for this often poorly impressed D-mint issue, and one would be hard pressed to find a noteworthy distraction even if they were to take a loupe to the surfaces. Satiny in sheen, and the only MS68 example known to both NGC and PCGS (6/05).
To crossover from NGC to PCGS does not happen routinely. The specimen is not recognized by name in the Coin Facts Pedigree and History, so when the data is updated, this coin will go to the top, jumping 5 MS67+. The coin last sold in the Heritage 2018 ANA WFOM Signature Auction in Philadelphia. The coin was characterized as “Colorful MS68, Amazing Jewel-Like Superb Gem, The Finest Known”. The coin description was similar to 2005, and referenced: this is the only MS68 example known at either NGC or PCGS. There is still only one, but now it is in PCGS holder. The coin realized $14,400 in this auction a few months ago. Now my question, should the name of the company on the holder make any difference in the value of the coin? Let’s see.
This coin was recent offered for sale by Pinnacle Rarities. The coin headlined as: “1937-D 50C Walking Liberty Half Dollar PCGS MS68”. Only a short description was given: The uncontested finest example graded for the issue by PCGS. The flawless surfaces exhibit thick, cartwheel luster beneath a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors. Liberty's skirt lines and head details are nearly 100% full, while her hand and the eagle's leg display only minute softness. We love the Walking Liberty design, and when you find one with color like this they are a true delight to behold. A spectacular Walker deserving of inclusion in a world class Walking Liberty collection. The coin was listed for $74,500. If the listed price was achieved, then in just a few months, the coin increased in value by 500%. Let me conclude by saying this, I am using pictures for tracing the provenance. I feel pretty confident the two coins are the same, but I could be wrong.
Coin Facts price a PCGS MS68 at $77,500. So, the asking price by Pinnacle Rarities seems fair. It must have been, because JB has stated if the pricing is not fair, they will walk away. The coin does not appear to have a CAC, but I think it will at some point. This new upgrade would only be a start, if Hansen desires to be player in this series.
In comparing to Eliasberg’s specimen, his registry set describes his specimen as estimated grade MS64. The Eliasberg coin was sold by Bowers & Merena April 1997 as part of a large lot #2163.
1937-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS68 (PCGS Gold Shield)
PCGS Coin #6602 / PCGS Serial #36186393 / POP 1/0
Ex. New York, NY Signature Sale (Heritage, 7/2002), lot 8612, did not sell; Robert Moreno Collection (Heritage 7/2005), lot 10038, where it realized $18,400; FUN Signature Coin Auction (Heritage 1/2007), lot 1016, where it realized $23,000; Texas Signature Auction (Heritage, 11/2007), lot 1051, where it realized $21,275; ANA WFOM Signature Auction (Heritage, 8/2018), Lot 5159, where it realized $14,400; Hansen Collection purchased from Pinnacle Rarities, asking price $74,500
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Great coins!
I wonder if John Brush can tell us how many of the upgrades come from Mr. Hansen actively seeking them out as opposed to coins being offered to Mr. Hansen?
Yes, I understand. My two # 1 mint sets, 1955 & 1957, were bumped down to # 2 by Hansen sets.
Wayne
www.waynedriskillminiatures.com
Not to mention that he has 3 of the top 10 sets in the Mercury dime FB basic set. 2 in the top 5. Makes it very difficult for others to make the top 10, or the top 5 to get their set pedigreed.
Wayne
www.waynedriskillminiatures.com
John B has told us that they are not chasing coins. With the numbers they are acquiring, I don’t think could if they wanted to. It appear to me, they are buying from several auction sites including ebay. It is amazing they are able to keep up as well as they do. I hope we hear from John soon.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
They almost never will cross a 68 or top pop for me.
I have a box of them. All CAC which I believe is part of the reason.
Mr Perfecto-that is where you fail. NOT every CAC coin will cross. Many are just technical grades. And in my world, a top pop #1 coins needs BOTH EYE APPEAL and technical grade.
Happy holidays specialist!
The coins I,refer,to,are monsters, moon coins as you would call them.
I,will bring some to,fun.
Gazes Challenge –Part 3
In week number three update, we are comparing four small cents. I hope this to be a fun game. In my first week posting, I described this challenge as “an interesting experiment”. Insider2 reminded us that it is hard to compare collections a half century apart. He described as a “fanciful exercise”. I agree, but I hope everyone have fun watching the progression of this game.
This is a week that Hansen ran the table. He had the best graded coin in 3 out of 4. It does not appear Eliasberg obtained an example of the 1955 Double Die Cent. I am using the registry, so if this is incorrect, please let me know and I will revise. Hansen has both varieties of the 1955 DDOs. I listed them below with a few others. After Eliasberg took the lead in week 2, Hansen now has a 3 coin lead after week 3.
Hansen’s five varieties for 1955 Lincoln.
1955 1C DDO FS-101 2827 MS65RD POP 20/1
1955 1C DDO FS-102 37909 MS65RD POP 33/3
1955-D 1C DDO FS-101 37918 MS66RD POP 10/3
1955-D 1C RPM FS-503 37924 MS64RD POP 46/23
1955-S/S/S 1C RPM FS-501 37933 MS66RD POP 39/6
Small Cent Challenge
1856 Flying Eagle Cent: Rarest and most popular small cent..
Hansen Coin: 1856 Flying Eagle - PCGS MS64 (PCGS POP 34/15, overall: 34/17)
Eliasberg Coin: 1856 Flying Eagle - Assumed MS63 (PCGS POP 38/49, overall: 42/51)
1877 Indian Cent: Rarest Indian Head Cent.
Hansen Coin: 1877 Cent - PCGS MS65RD (PCGS POP 25/11, overall 25/11)
Eliasberg Coin: 1877 Cent - Assumed MS65BN (PCGS POP 18/1, overall 18/529)
1909-S VDB Cent:Most famous US small cent; a coin every collector wanted as a kid.
Hansen Coin: 1909-S VDB Cent - PCGS MS67RD (PCGS POP 15/0, overall 15/0)
Eliasberg Coin: 1909-S VDB Cent - Est. MS66RB (PCGS POP 74/2, overall 74/2412)
1955 Double Die Cent: Best known error coin; very distinctive appearance.
Hansen Coin: 1955 Double Die Cent - PCGS MS65RD (PCGS POP 20/1, overall 53/4)
Eliasberg Coin: According to Eliasberg Registry Set, He did not have a specimen of this coin.
Gaze Challenge
Small Cents - Hansen (4-0-0)
Overall - Hansen (5-2-1)
Winning Coins:
Hansen 1856 Flying Eagle - PCGS MS64
Hansen 1877 Cent - PCGS MS65RD
No Picture available
Hansen 1909-S VDB Cent - PCGS MS67RD
Hansen 1955 Double Die Cent - PCGS MS65RD
Next week: Half Dimes
1792 Half Disme: First regular issue U.S. coin; association with George Washington.
1802 Half Dime: Rarest half dime; important U.S. rarity.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Hey Perfection, why would CAC be part of the reason.. I don’t follow..
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
What an awesome thread!!! Thanks for sharing. Ill be watching
That's one heck of a mark-up!
Old Gold Quarter Eagle Upgrade
Once again Hansen’s improves his Liberty Head $2.5 Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes set. This upgraded coin represents the first gold mintage for the New Orleans mint. The new specimen may be finest known and only Gem. The specimen is the only MS65 coin in the PCGS POP report. According Coin Facts, this is the finest specimen with a strong pedigree.
Doug Winter: The 1839-O quarter eagle is a historically and numismatically significant issue. It was the very first gold coin produced at the New Orleans mint. It is the only Classic Head issue of any denomination from this mint and the only New Orleans quarter eagle with the mintmark located on the obverse. The 1839-O quarter eagle appears to have been saved in greater quantity than older New Orleans issues of this era and it is less rare in high grades than most of the quarter eagles from the 1840s. Despite this fact it is extremely popular. The 1839-O quarter eagle is a popular one-year type coin featuring the distinctive Classic Head design on the obverse. It is common in all grades up to and including AU55. It becomes scarce in accurately graded AU58 and it is scarce in the lower Uncirculated grades. It becomes quite rare in MS63 although there are probably more examples known in this grade than any other quarter eagle from this mint. In MS64 and above, the 1839-O is very rare.
1839-O Quarter Eagle MS65 Cert 31694496 PCGS POP 1/0 – Replaces 1839-O AU55 24/60
This replacement quarter eagle is the only known Gem specimen. The history of this coin is very rich. The coin is from the Pogue Collection. The providence traces the coin to Max Hubert Collection in 1970s. This coin has the auction record of $76,375. The record was achieved in the 2015 Stack's Bowers, The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part II. This is a former Akers Plate Coin. The auctioneer described the coin as: The only gem 1839-O quarter eagle known, this coin is blessed with superlative aesthetic appeal. The deep even yellow gold surfaces flood with luster at every angle, frosty and satiny, beautiful to behold. Both obverse and reverse are free of any major impact marks, showing just a short scratch in the field next to star 12 and some light wispy lines besides. A splash of deeper orange toning is present at the bust truncation. The strike is excellent, showing central details that few coins of this issue can rival. The reverse shows a fascinating crack that runs along I of UNITED before branching out, its main stream through the olive leaves and 2 in the denomination to the rim, a rivulet connecting the base of I to TED.
PCGS Coin Value places the value of this coin at $95,000. It appear the coin was purchased privately. I have not been successful in finding any addition information on the purchase. The coin is a nice addition to the collection.
The Hansen coin is a higher grade than Eliasberg specimen. His registry set describes Eliasberg specimen as MS62 estimated grade. He purchased his specimen when he acquired the John Clapp collection in 1942. The coin was sold for $4,840 at the Bowers & Ruddy Oct '82 Eliasberg sale.
Provenance: Max Humbert Collection - Paramount “Auction '79” 7/1979:227 - Paul Nugget, sold privately in 7/2003 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 9/2015:2068, $76,375
The Finest Known Hansen-Pogue 1839-O Quarter Eagle PCGS MS65
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
we are really witnessing something very special
Holy crap!
Was Hansen in the game when the Pogue coins sold? If not, I wonder how different those sales would have been.
How do you feel when your not so well off friends say the same thing about you and your collection?
Show some class...
Really? you think that all this is a guy with money buying stuff? What is special is a man has taken on a challenge that a couple years ago many doubted he could accomplish. His relentless pursuit of obtaining not only each coin but putting together in one collection so many top pops shows a passion that as collectors we should admire. There are alot of people who have money but Hansen has put his money where his mouth is and spent hundreds of millions in pursuit of his dream.
I'll tell you EXACTLY how I feel about it. All of my friends are not so well off as me. In fact they are the men I work with every day. All of them are hard working, family men who are also illegal immigrants and POOR. So how do I handle it? I don't talk about my collection around them. It wouldn't be very classy on my part. SO.......to put it simply, my not so well off friends never say anything about my collection because they don't know about it and even if they did they wouldn't care because they have more important things on their minds like how to put food on the table. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
this is a coin forum---we talk about coins and collections
IMHO, he started off not doing anything but spending money, but over the last year he has turned the corner on quality and is now doing something special ... and on his way to doing something so special that it may never be replicated, which is how everyone felt about Eliasberg. Now with the quality and credibility of the coins he is adding, Hansen is on a path to doing what he said he was going to do: surpass Eliasberg's collection. You may not like how quickly he has done it, but that is a function of communication technology, not the qualitative value of the collection.
The man asked me a question about my "not so well off friends."
Are they "coins and collections related?" I don't think so. I just answered his question. You're talking to the wrong guy.