There will not an update this week. There are a couple corrections to last week’s update. I sometimes view the Hansen watch as a massive research thread. I certainly appreciate when the community contributes. This past week @burdell sent me research that he discovered. After reviewing, I do agree with his conclusion.
1841-O Eagle: The first eagle struck at a branch mint and the first–obviously–from New Orleans.
Hansen Coin: 1841-O Eagle PCGS AU55 POP 5/1, Pittman Specimen
Eliasberg Coin: 1841-O Eagle PCGS AU55 POP 5/1AU58 POP 1/0
Tie(0-0-1 0-1-0 ) Note: They are not the same coins
I knew the Hansen coin and Eliasberg coin was not the same. The PCGS Condition Census clearly indicates that Eliasberg’s coin was one of the PCGS AU55 specimens tied for second with the AU58 being finer. The Hansen specimen provenance given in the posting last week was from New Netherlands' 49th Sale, June 1957, lot 236; David W. Akers' sale of the John Jay Pittman Collection, Part II, May 1998, lot 1915. This information is not shown in the PCGS Condition Census chart.
I humbly suggest the Eliasberg 41o is now PC58 rather than 55. DW's image is still today on his Coinapedia. I snagged the image 1/13. Look above the E(STATES) in the following images. Best regards, Tom.
41o.50r.82-10.BR665.1 Eliasberg
41o.58pc.13-1.dwcp
I agree with Tom. What this means, the Eliasberg is in the registry twice, with the AU55 being pedigreed to Eliasberg, and AU58 being undesignated. Is this due to a breakout upgrade? Not sure. One nice thing to say about the Hansen Collection, they are not breaking their coins coin out. They are summited to PCGS for reconsideration. I personally think that is the right way to do it.
This change the overall score from 15-13-7 to 15-14-6
1875 Eagle: Crazy low-mintage of just 200 business strikes and by far the rarest date in the series with just 7/8 or so known Hansen Coin: 1875 Eagle PCGS AU50 3/2 (actually 3/1) Purchased Thursday Night Heritage Auction
Hansen Coin: 1875 Eagle PCGS PR63CAM POP 1/4
Eliasberg Coin: 1875 Eagle Est. XF45 PCGS (John Dannreuther notes it is actually an altered date)
Eliasberg Coin: 1875 Eagle NGC PR64, PCGS list as est. PR63, may be the best 1875 in the grouping.
With this new information from John Dannreuther, and Mr. Hansen’s purchased in the Thursday night Heritage Auction, now the D.L. Hansen Collection should get the nod. The overall final is revised to 16-13-6. The new purchase presented a significant swing in Hansen’s favor.
The case of the 1875 Eagle wherein proof coins are separate from business strikes really loses reality in the designation of the quality of a coin. In the day of Eliasberg, proof coins and business strikes were interchangeable in a set. I think that Hansen should be given the same standard the Eliasberg's set was graded to. In other words, if Eliasberg's best specimen was a proof, that should be considered the superior grade. If Hansen's coin is a proof, then that should be considered the superior grade.
The market makers in numismatics have sought to differentiate the more common business strikes from the much more uncommon proof strikes. This only creates market in the much more common business strike variety. The quality of a collection should not be measured by delineating between business strikes and proof coins. To compare two great collections in perspective, the PCGS Registry should be revised to a singular grading standard by which a proof coin is always graded two points higher than a business strike. And an in hand comparison of a proof and a business strike might indicate a greater differential.
This was the standard in Eliasberg's time.........and it should be the standard for any comparison.
Updates from the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Liberty Eagles
From this week’s updates, I believe Mr. Hansen purchased at least 14 coins from the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Liberty Eagles to upgrade D.L. Hansen Collection of Liberty Head $10 Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1838-1907). The set was completed with the purchase of the 1875 Eagle from the Jacobson Collection. It is a little hard to know for sure, because I believe he purchase several coins for the #2 set. From my observation, there is no letup in Mr. Hansen upgrading his collection as some folks may have implied. I wrote and posted a few days ago on the 1875 Eagle. In this posting, I will share a group of pre- 1850 Liberty Eagles.
The 1848 Liberty Eagle is a CA Approved MS64 Specimen with a POP of 2/0. David Akers describes the coin as: The 1848 is another rare and underrated date although it is neither as rare nor as underrated as the 1845 and 1846. Most known specimens are only VF or EF and strictly uncirculated examples are extremely rare. Specimens that grade full AU are also seldom available. As a date, the 1848 is far more rare than the 1847, 1847-O and 1849 and is comparable in overall rarity to the 1842-O and 1844-O.
This coin is Ex: Simpson-Hall has appeared in auction once before in Legend’s Regency Auction XIII (Legend, 9/2015), lot 237, where it realized $29,375. In last week Stacks Bowers Auction, the new Hansen specimen set an auction record when it realized $66,000. It is somewhat interesting why the coin did not realize but $29,375 in Legend’s 2015 Auction. The other PCGS MS64 specimen has twice sold in the last ten years, Goldberg Auctioneers, May-2009 realizing $60,375 and Stack's Bowers Oct-2014 realizing $64,625. The two MS64’s have sold twice each realizing min $60K, with exception of the Legend Auction that only realized $29,375. I have a guess, but will give you a chance to give your opinion if you desire.
Heritage described the coin as: The condition rarity of the No Motto eagle type can be well illustrated by the 1848. This issue has a comparatively high mintage of 145,484 pieces but the survival rate is well under 1%, and it is likely that as few as 400-500 examples exist in total. This date is seriously undervalued in properly graded AU58, and it is rare in Uncirculated with fewer than a dozen pieces currently known. Three or so of these grade MS63 and there are just two 1848 tens known in PCGS MS64: this coin (see below for pedigree information) and another -- with CAC approval -- the finer of this pair. For the entire No Motto type, PCGS has graded 34 coins in MS64 plus another six in MS64+, two in MS65 and three in MS66 (12/19). This speaks volumes about the rarity of this type in high grades. It also says, loud and clear, that the high-end type collector is not likely to find a No Motto Liberty Head eagle in Gem condition since there are just five pieces extant and all of these, to the best of our knowledge, are off the market in tightly-held collections. This is a remarkable near-Gem. The surfaces exude a radiant mint luster that is not often seen on New Orleans gold. Abrasions are infrequent and none are of individual significance. Rich reddish-tinted golden color throughout.
1848 Liberty Eagle, MS64 CAC Approved Tied With One Other as Finest at PCGS Radiant Mint Luster, PCGS POP 2/0 Certification #29583010, PCGS #8599 PCGS Price Guide: $42,500 / Heritage 2020: $66,000 Auction Record Ex: Simpson / Hall; Regency Auction XIII (Legend, 9/2015), lot 237, where it realized $29,375
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. Other Upgrades from Jacobson Collection (Top Set)
1838 $10 AU58 Certification #02275752, PCGS #8575 Scarce and Popular First-Year Issue PCGS Price Guide: $55,000 / Heritage 2020: $40,800
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. 1839 $10 Type of 1840 AU58 Certification #84071900, PCGS #8580 Clearly in the Condition Census PCGS Price Guide: $60,000 / Heritage 2020: $36,000
Over the past few days, we have seen several upgrades from the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Liberty Eagles. Also, we saw Mr. Hansen added the tough date 1875 Eagle in AU50 condition. This coin may be tied for the second finest specimen known. This completes the set and is present #1 on the All Time PCGS Registry. The new upgrade for the 1887-S Eagle was purchased last week from the Heritage February 20th - US Coins Signature Auction at Long Beach, but the coin is not from the Jacobson Collection. The Jacobson coin that sold was a NGC MS64 Specimen. The provenance for Hansen’s new specimen is not given.
1887-S Eagle MS64+ PCGS. CAC Approved
This is the finest 1887-S Eagle certified by PCGS. The coin appeared two years ago in Heritage’s April 4th 2017, US Coins Signature Auction in Dallas. The coin was described finest at PCGS and CAC Approved. The coin realized $16,450 in 2017. At the time, Heritage stated the coin as: It is also the sole finest example endorsed by CAC.
This coin was purchased from Heritage Auction last week. They described the coin as: This is a major condition rarity for advanced series specialists. Although the San Francisco Mint produced 817,000 ten dollar gold coins in 1887, Choice Uncirculated representatives are rare. A single Gem is known, certified by NGC, and that coin brought $25,850 in Stack's Bowers' February 2015 Americana sale. This is one of six MS64 submissions at PCGS and it is the only one with a Plus designation. It is also tied with only two other pieces at this grade level CAC (1/20). Consequently, we expect strong bidding from serious Registry builders for this fantastic rose-gold near-Gem. Fully struck and beautifully frosted with intermittent green-gold accents over marvelously preserved surfaces. In this auction, the coin realized $9,001.20. I am not sure I can explain how Mr. Hansen was able to pick up this top pop specimen at such a great price. PCGS Price Guide valued the coin in grade at $17,500. Nice pick up!
1887-S Eagle, MS64+, PCGS POP 1/0 Tied for Finest at PCGS and CAC Certification #83144224, PCGS #8711 PCGS Price Guide: $17,500 / Heritage 2020: $$9,001.20 Provenance: Unknown
@OldIndianNutKase said:
The case of the 1875 Eagle wherein proof coins are separate from business strikes really loses reality in the designation of the quality of a coin. In the day of Eliasberg, proof coins and business strikes were interchangeable in a set. I think that Hansen should be given the same standard the Eliasberg's set was graded to. In other words, if Eliasberg's best specimen was a proof, that should be considered the superior grade. If Hansen's coin is a proof, then that should be considered the superior grade.
This was the standard in Eliasberg's time.........and it should be the standard for any comparison.
OINK
I think this argument still has merit independent of whether Eliasberg did it. If you are building a set to best represent or show off the coins and types, the proofs are more well made and better for that. If they are easier to find, then that's a double win. The best collection does not always have to be the most difficult collection to assemble. In the same wat, the best artwork or song doesn't have to be the most difficult to make.
We do factor in difficulty constantly in this discussion, and it is one of the things that can impress. If we focus on it too much, it may obscure the big picture.
Over the past few days, we have seen several upgrades from the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Liberty Eagles. Also, we saw Mr. Hansen added the tough date 1875 Eagle in AU50 condition. This coin may be tied for the second finest specimen known. This completes the set and is present #1 on the All Time PCGS Registry. The new upgrade for the 1887-S Eagle was purchased last week from the Heritage February 20th - US Coins Signature Auction at Long Beach, but the coin is not from the Jacobson Collection. The Jacobson coin that sold was a NGC MS64 Specimen. The provenance for Hansen’s new specimen is not given.
1887-S Eagle MS64+ PCGS. CAC Approved
This is the finest 1887-S Eagle certified by PCGS. The coin appeared two years ago in Heritage’s April 4th 2017, US Coins Signature Auction in Dallas. The coin was described finest at PCGS and CAC Approved. The coin realized $16,450 in 2017. At the time, Heritage stated the coin as: It is also the sole finest example endorsed by CAC.
This coin was purchased from Heritage Auction last week. They described the coin as: This is a major condition rarity for advanced series specialists. Although the San Francisco Mint produced 817,000 ten dollar gold coins in 1887, Choice Uncirculated representatives are rare. A single Gem is known, certified by NGC, and that coin brought $25,850 in Stack's Bowers' February 2015 Americana sale. This is one of six MS64 submissions at PCGS and it is the only one with a Plus designation. It is also tied with only two other pieces at this grade level CAC (1/20). Consequently, we expect strong bidding from serious Registry builders for this fantastic rose-gold near-Gem. Fully struck and beautifully frosted with intermittent green-gold accents over marvelously preserved surfaces. In this auction, the coin realized $9,001.20. I am not sure I can explain how Mr. Hansen was able to pick up this top pop specimen at such a great price. PCGS Price Guide valued the coin in grade at $17,500. Nice pick up!
1887-S Eagle, MS64+, PCGS POP 1/0 Tied for Finest at PCGS and CAC Certification #83144224, PCGS #8711 PCGS Price Guide: $17,500 / Heritage 2020: $$9,001.20 Provenance: Unknown
A top pop pcgs coin that is stickered and gold and a big coin for less than $10,000----just proof that there is value out there.
A little change up in this posting. We will switch from gold to nickel. From my observations, it appears Mr. Hansen has a fondness for some series more than others. It may be purely price and availability, and it just looks that way. I cannot say for sure, but it seems he really has a passion for Jefferson Nickels. This is a PCGS POP 1/0 specimen that is going unto his already #1 All-Times PCGS Registry set. If you have any thoughts, please do share.
1945-D Jefferson Nickel, MS68+ FS
This nickel is sometimes referred as being in the War Nickel Series. Jaime Hernandez described as: Jefferson War Nickels were struck from 1942-1945. The 1945-D Jefferson Nickel is fairly common and can be purchased very inexpensively up to about MS66 condition. In MS67 condition it becomes much scarcer especially with the Full Steps designation. In MS68 condition it is extremely scarce with less than a handful of examples graded by PCGS with no examples known in better condition. This coin is the best of MS68s. There are only 5 graded MS68 FS, with the new Hansen coin being the only MS68+ FS. From the Great Collection archives: GreatCollections has sold 128 of the 1945-D Jefferson Nickel FS in the past 10 years, selling at prices from $8 to $16,313, in grades 64 to 68+. This is a crazy price range.
The coin was purchased Sunday, Jan 19, 2020 in a Great Collections Auction. We have seen Mr. Hansen pick up some really nice coins from this auction site lately. In a Feb 17, 2020 COINWORLD publication, they featured this coin in an article titled: Market Analysis: ANA gets into the registry set collecting craze The headline read: Two WWII-era coins soared at recent online auctions, as a 1945-D Jefferson 5-cent piece in MS-68+ full steps brought $16,312.50 and a 1943-S Lincoln cent graded MS-68+ with a green CAC sticker sold for $23,626.12. This is the on-line link if you care to read more.
PCGS Coin Value has the coin priced at $20,000. The coin realized $16,312.50 with buyer’s fee. This may not be a bad price that Mr. Hansen paid for the coin. A little commentary….I have a real appreciation for the diversity in which Mr. Hansen invests in his collection. I know everyone do not feel the same as I do. Many notable specialists see purchasing a coin like this one as being a complete waste for a collector with D.L. Hansen’s budget. For me, I do like to see a $360,000 coin purchase as we did a couple weeks ago, but I also like to see the purchase of a PCGS POP 1/0 Jefferson Nickel. Is there another active collector that has this degree of diversity in collecting?
1945-D Jefferson Nickel PCGS MS-68+ FS, POP 1/0 Finest certified by PCGS Certification #37148069, PCGS #84026 PCGS Price Guide: $20,000 Ex: Unknown
I was not surprise with the results this week. After all, Mr. Hansen may have the finest set of Liberty Head Double Eagles that has ever been assembled. At the core of this amazing set, is a large group of specimens from the AWA Collection. The collection was the gold standard for registry Double Eagles for almost a decade. Mr. Hansen has been improving his set for past three years. After starting the set in late 2016, he has upgraded two coins in 2020, three in 2019, 17 in 2018, 17 in 2017. I would expect upgrades to continue to take place.
With this great set of double eagles, it is not surprising for Mr. Hansen to sweep the challenge in that series. He started with two New Orleans specimens that are finest certified by PCGS, 1854-O and 1856-O. His Major Variety 1861-S Paquet Double Eagle is also one of the finest known, but there is one specimen that is better with a plus grade. The comparison for Double Eagles ended with the very tough 1870-CC. Hansen has a nice specimen graded XF45 and won over Eliasberg’s XF40, but there are six 1870-CC PCGS coins out there somewhere that are better. The 1870-CC may be a candidate for a future upgrade.
Eliasberg won first coin in the challenge, the 1933 Eagle. His coin is listed as a MS65. In comparison, the Hansen coin is a PCGS Genuine due to some light tooling on the cheek. I don’t think Mr. Hansen is in a hurry to replace this coin, but would not be surprise if opportunity allows that to happen in the future.
The total value for Hansen’s five coins is $2,200,000. This week’s result is 4-1-0. Hansen has now extended the lead to 6 coins overall, with only 10 coins to go.
1933 Eagle:The final year of issue for this denomination (first struck in 1795) and the only US gold coin dated 1933 which is legal to own.
Hansen Coin: 1933 Eagle PCGS N1-Damage
Eliasberg Coin: 1933 Eagle Est. MS655 POP 5/4
Eliasberg Win (0-1-0)
1854-O Double Eagle:One of two mega-rarities from this mint and a key issue in the Type One double eagle series.
Hansen Coin: 1854-O Double Eagle PCGS AU58 POP 1/0 (Finest Known, ex: Browning, Akers Plate Coin)
Eliasberg Coin: 1854-O Double Eagle est. AU55 POP 3/1 (Not included in PCGS Condition Census Report)
Hansen Won (1-1-0)
1856-O Double Eagle:The other very rare New Orleans Type One issue. Unique in Uncirculated and represented by fewer than 40 known in total.
Hansen Coin: 1856-O Double Eagle PCGS AU58+ POP 1/0 (Finest Known, Ex: Carter-AWA)
Eliasberg Coin: 1856-O Double Eagle PCGS AU58 1/1 (Second Finest Known)
Hansen Won (2-1-0)
1861-S Paquet Double Eagle:A mysterious but collectible issue with a different reverse designed by Anthony Paquet.
Hansen Coin: 1861-S Paquet Double Eagle PCGS AU58 POP 5/1,
Eliasberg Coin: 1861-S Paquet Double Eagle Est. XF40 PCGS 10/69
Hansen Won (3-1-0)
1870-CC Double Eagle:The first double eagle from this mint and the single most valuable gold coin from this mint.
Hansen Coin1870-CC Double Eagle PCGS XF45 POP 15/6
Eliasberg Coin: 1870-CC Double Eagle Est. XF40 POP 10/21
Hansen Won (4-1-0)
This week showcased two of the finest known Double eagles from the D.L. Hansen Collection of Liberty Head Double Eagles. The Eliasberg Collection did not have a finest known to show up this week, but did have a second finest 1854-O Double Eagle.
The D.L. Hansen Collection extends the lead with a three coin advantage this week. The lead over Louis Eliasberg Collection is now 20-14-6. This gives the Hansen Collection a little breathing room going into the last two weeks. There is another grouping of Double Eagles left to compare. That may not be so good for Eliasberg chances of catching up.
1883 Double Eagle:One of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
1884 Double Eagle:Two of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
1887 Double Eagle:Three of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
1907 High Relief Double Eagle:One of the most popular US gold coins and a trophy issue which appeals to numerous collectors.
1927-D Double Eagle:The rarest and most valuable regular issue 20th century US gold coin.
Hansen WOW Coins
1933 Indian Head Eagle N1 - Genuine (98 - Damage) (Gold Shield) Certification #25538477, PCGS #8885 PCGS Price Guide Value unknown, Purchased for $300,000 in 2019 Provenance: Hallock Dupont Collection (Sotheby's 3/1983), lot 222; Morrison Family and Lawrence C. Licht Collections (Stack's, 3/2005), lot 1882, which realized $230,000; Poulos Family Collection (Heritage 8/2019, lot 3916, lot 1882, which realized $230,000, D. L. Hansen Collection
Heritage Auction’s Comments: In the absence of a Details grade from PCGS, we consider this attractive 1933 Indian eagle to have Uncirculated sharpness. The coin last appeared at auction in 2005, when it was raw. In that lot description, the Stack's cataloger noted "a profusion of tiny swirling hairlines" on Liberty's cheek. They are indeed faint, seen only with a loupe and under good lighting, but they are in fact tool marks -- the faint remnant of some individual's attempt to smooth out high-point abrasions on this coin in the distant past. Although unfortunate, this "repair" does not overly affect the eye appeal of the coin. Orange-gold luster glistens on each side, especially in the fields. The strike is sharp and the only mentionable abrasions are a few tiny ticks on the reverse eagle, which serve as pedigree markers.
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. 1854-O Double Eagle AU58 (Gold Shield) Finest Certified by PCGS Certification #81718068, PCGS #8912 PCGS Price Guide Value $750,000 Provenance: H. Jeff Browning "Dallas Bank" Collection - Sotheby's/Stack's 10/2001:10, $161,000 - D.L. Hansen Collection (Akers Plate Coin)
Doug Winter Comments: The 1854-O is, along with the 1856-O, one of the rarest Type One double eagles from the New Orleans mint. Examples are usually only sold at auctions which contain major “name” collections. Ownership of an 1854-O is regarded as a hallmark of a truly great collection of Liberty Head double eagles. This is generally a well-struck issue. On the obverse, there is sometimes weakness on the curls around the face, at the top of the head and on the curls below Liberty’s ear. The overall detail is sharper than on many Type One double eagles from this mint. The obverse stars are well-defined with some displaying full radial lines. The denticles are clear and sharp. The reverse may show weakness on the eagle’s tail feathers and on the banner. This is such a rare coin that the quality of strike is not an important factor. Collectors should be more concerned with the overall and appearance of an 1854-O which they are considering buying. Most 1854-O double eagles are well circulated and a s a result they show heavily abraded surfaces. There are some diagnostic criteria which are seen on all genuine examples and these are important to note.
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. 1856-O Double eagle AU58+ (Gold Shield) Finest Certified by PCGS Certification #81722130, PCGS #8918 PCGS Price Guide Value $600,000 plus Provenance: Unknown
Doug Winter Comments: The 1856-O is the second rarest Type One double eagle after the 1861 Paquet, and it is the single rarest gold coin struck at the New Orleans mint. It narrowly eclipses its counterpart the 1854-O double eagle in terms of overall rarity, but it is actually slightly more available in higher grades (in this case About Uncirculated-50 and higher). The strike seen on the 1856-O is fairly similar to that seen on the 1854-O. The curls around the face are well detailed but those below the ear are weak. The hair at the top of Liberty’s head is always weak as is the bun. The central reverse is well detailed with the exception of the wing tips and tail feathers which are not fully formed. With the exception of a handful of pieces, every 1856-O is heavily abraded. These marks tend to be very deep and detracting. An example which is minimally bagmarked is extremely desirable.
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. 1861-S Double Eagle Paquet AU58 (Gold Shield) Certification #81718842, PCGS #8936 PCGS Price Guide Value $225,000 Provenance: Goldbergs 6/2005:1075, $134,550 - Ohringer Family Trust Holdings - Goldbergs 9/2008:1286, $166,750 - AWA Collection - D.L. Hansen Collection
Doug Winter Comments: In 1860, Anthony C. Paquet, the mint’s assistant engraver, produced a new reverse for the double eagle. It was characterized by tall lettering and a very narrow rim. By the earliest part of 1861, it was decided that this design would not wear well, due to the narrowness of the border. A telegraph was sent to the San Francisco mint ordering a return to the old style Longacre reverse. This telegraph appears to have taken a considerable amount of time to reach the mint and by the time it had, $385,000 worth of the new reverse 1861-S double eagles had been struck and released into circulation. The 1861-S Paquet reverse double eagle was a mostly-forgotten issue until it was “rediscovered” in the 1930’s. A number were found in European holdings of United States gold coins and many were repatriated back into the American coin market. Today, this issue is rare but it is still considered an important issue within the Type One series which is collected alongside the “regular” 1861-S double eagle. This variety was clearly made to circulate and it is unquestionably a regular issue. The obverse shows a quality of strike which is not much different from that seen on the regular issue 1861-S double eagles. The hair is weak with little definition seen on the curl. The hair at the top of the head and the bow are soft. The stars some radial lines definition but they are not as sharp as on the 1861 Philadelphia double eagles. The central details on the reverse are sharp with some minor weakness noted on the horizontal stripes in the shield and on the tail feathers. Due to a lack of a broad border, the reverse may show uneven wear. On coins which grade About Uncirculated-50 and higher, the centers may appear sharp while the tops of the letters have more wear than generally seen on coins in this grade range. The surfaces are almost always heavily abraded. Ironically, the obverse tends to be more heavily abraded than the reverse; this is “ironic” as the design was changed due to supposed wear and rim problems with the reverse that would lead to extensive marks after a short stint in circulation. I have seen a few with mint-made black spots and a small number with areas of roughness in the planchet.
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. 1870-CC Double Eagle XF45 (Gold Shield) Certification #81722166, PCGS #8958 PCGS Price Guide Value $325,000 Pedigree: Unknown
Ron Guth Comments: The 1870-CC $20 combines extreme rarity, the allure of gold, a large size, and the lore of the Carson City Mint in a neat, tidy, and very expensive package. At least one expert believes that the surviving population numbers only 35-45 examples, but this seems low considering that PCGS alone has certified 34 coins (as of October 2014). Add in coins certified by NGC, subtract resubmissions and crossovers, and the correct number is probably over 50 examples. Regardless, the 1870-CC $20 is under considerable pressure from collectors of the Liberty Head series, fans of the Carson City Mint, and anyone looking for a trophy coin. This date is not known for being well struck; rather, a common complaint is that some or all of the obverse stars are flat. Most of the surviving population hovers around the XF45 grade, with few examples on either side, especially the higher side. Bowers (in his 2004 book, A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins) does not mention the Mint State example that Akers' claimed he reported, but he does price an MS60 example at $600,000, suggesting that such a coin exists. The price record for this date belongs to the NGC AU55 example that sold for $414,000 in 2009.
Welcome back Bruce. Nice to see you contribute. I too would like to see Ron's input. He pretty busy, but I know he will if he has time.
On another topic, Bruce have you seen the '63 LS Dollar in the Pogue sale? Just curious if you have an opinion. The toning looks similar to your former '62. I wonder if they were from the same old time cabinet.
Prior to that, it was in the jascha heifetz sale where it said the consignor owned it for 36 years after purchasing it from the 1953 gugenheim sale. The 1862 was not part of that Heifetz sale so if they were stored together it was prior to 1953.
Here are my comments on the Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part VIII
1933 $10
Eliasberg is the clear winner
1854-O $20
I can't find a "modern" grade on the Eliasberg example, but if I had to choose a winner based on image comparisons, I'd give this one to Hansen.
1856-O $20
This could be a close one. Perhaps Doug Winter can provide information on the Eliasberg PCGS AU58 and confirm that the grade is correct. Even if it is, Hansen wins by half a point.
1861-S $20 Paquet
I could not find a "modern" grade on this one either, but I would put Hansen as the clear winner.
1870-CC $20
This is an easy one - the Hansen and Eliasberg examples are one and the same.
Now, we've clearly moved past the 1875 $10, but I had a few comments and a short story to write about the search for the coin. While it's not as scholarly as much of the writing here, I figured it was worth passing along to those who may enjoy a lighter side of the Hansen search for the coin...
John Brush President of David Lawrence Rare Coins www.davidlawrence.com email: John@davidlawrence.com 2022 ANA Dealer of the Year, Past Chair of NCBA (formerly ICTA), PNG Treasurer, Instructor at Witter Coin University, former Instructor/YN Chaperone ANA Summer Seminar, Coin World Most Influential, Curator of the D.L. Hansen Collection
@JBatDavidLawrence said:
Now, we've clearly moved past the 1875 $10, but I had a few comments and a short story to write about the search for the coin. While it's not as scholarly as much of the writing here, I figured it was worth passing along to those who may enjoy a lighter side of the Hansen search for the coin...
Wow! that was a great article! a lot of information in a short article. Thanks for sharing with us! I think the info about the Tyrant holdings blew my mind!
@jerseycat101 said:
Hansen clearly has a better collection than Eliasberg did.
Of what? Circulation strike US coins? Yes. Overall US coins? Maybe. Overall US coins including patterns, medals and numisma? No. The latter plus world coins? No, not even close
So you’d best define what you’re asserting or you might be completely incorrect.
And JB’s gold expert is Paul Nugget. If I had a gold expert that’s the name I would want for him
m
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
They are not an exact match. It would be really nice to see what they look like side by side.
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. 1862 Hansen-Morelan-Share MS65, CAC Approve , CERTIFICATION #21572854, PCGS #6952
@Boosibri said:
Does Hansen buy the wonderful 54-S $5 in 58+?
Interesting to read the Stack's auction description of the coin. Part of it states "when those greatest cabinets are discussed, none surpasses Eliasberg for completeness and, particularly for the gold portion of the cabinet, for quality. This coin represents the Platonic ideal of the Eliasberg gold collection: the presence of a legendary rarity rather than excuses for its absence...."
When I read this I felt it was directed specifically at Mr. Hansen. I wonder if others had the same thought.
@Boosibri said:
Does Hansen buy the wonderful 54-S $5 in 58+?
Interesting to read the Stack's auction description of the coin. Part of it states "when those greatest cabinets are discussed, none surpasses Eliasberg for completeness and, particularly for the gold portion of the cabinet, for quality. This coin represents the Platonic ideal of the Eliasberg gold collection: the presence of a legendary rarity rather than excuses for its absence...."
When I read this I felt it was directed specifically at Mr. Hansen. I wonder if others had the same thought.
@Boosibri said:
Does Hansen buy the wonderful 54-S $5 in 58+?
Interesting to read the Stack's auction description of the coin. Part of it states "when those greatest cabinets are discussed, none surpasses Eliasberg for completeness and, particularly for the gold portion of the cabinet, for quality. This coin represents the Platonic ideal of the Eliasberg gold collection: the presence of a legendary rarity rather than excuses for its absence...."
When I read this I felt it was directed specifically at Mr. Hansen. I wonder if others had the same thought.
It's interesting to note that Eliasberg collected from 1925 until 1976 while Hansen has just started.
@Currin said:
They are not an exact match. It would be really nice to see what they look like side by side.
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. 1862 Hansen-Morelan-Share MS65, CAC Approve , CERTIFICATION #21572854, PCGS #6952
@BestGerman said:
Here are my comments on the Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part VIII
1933 $10
Eliasberg is the clear winner
1854-O $20
I can't find a "modern" grade on the Eliasberg example, but if I had to choose a winner based on image comparisons, I'd give this one to Hansen.
1856-O $20
This could be a close one. Perhaps Doug Winter can provide information on the Eliasberg PCGS AU58 and confirm that the grade is correct. Even if it is, Hansen wins by half a point.
1861-S $20 Paquet
I could not find a "modern" grade on this one either, but I would put Hansen as the clear winner.
1870-CC $20
This is an easy one - the Hansen and Eliasberg examples are one and the same.
Thanks for your input Ron. Always glad to see you post.
From a simple win-loss perspective, the winners are the same as what @Currin posted aside from the last coin which is the same coin.
I know it is still early 2020, but already we have seen a few exciting and amazing additions to the D.L. Hansen Collection. This addition may not be as extraordinary as the recent 1875 Eagle, but it is a major coin. This is not a coin that Mr. Hansen has been seeking, as we read with the eagle. This coin falls into the category that JB calls, “everyone once in a while an interesting coin pops up”. This new Capped Bust Dime is a PCGS confirmed and certified proof that is added to Capped Bust Dimes, Proof (1820-1837) set. The set includes an 1821, 1827, 1831, and 1835 specimen (25% Complete). Although, this set requires only 16 coins, and Mr. Hansen understands the set may never be completed, but “it’s still fun to add a piece when you can”. How difficult is this set? PCGS describes as: What is the largest mintage of any coin in this set? Believe it or not, it's 20 coins! Some of the dates have never been certified by PCGS in any grade (such as 1820 and 1836) and every date is (obviously!) a great rarity in the Proof format. A few spectacular examples survive, though, such as the 1834 in PR67 from the King of Siam set and a few others. Since the writing of this PCGS introduction to the set, a specimen for the 1820 has been certified by PCSG in a crossover from NGC. Presently, the coin is in the #1 registry Capped Bust Collection.
In the PCGS registry, there are only three active collectors: Dr. Link, Coinbert, and Mr. Hansen. Naturally, Dr. Link has the most advance Capped Bust set. By far, he is the most advance collector in the Capped Bust series. His collection has amazing specimens representing both finishes. For Hansen, let’s watch and see if any additional coins from the series “pops up” in the future.
This is a PCGS POP 1/0 specimen with CAC Approval. Expert Ron Guth described the coin as: Breen (1989) listed Proof examples of JR-7 and JR-9, however Davis et al (1984) were only able to confirm the existence of Proof examples of JR-9. Eliasberg had an 1821 JR-7 that was subsequently graded NGC PR62. Another 1821 JR-7 appeared in the 2008 Superior sale of the Turtle Rock Collection as an NGC PR65. We know of four different examples of Proof JR-9, including one in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. The finest Proof 1821 Dime is the PCGS PR66 last sold by Heritage in April 2015.
Just to give you a taste for the difficulty of the series. A Capped Bust expert shared this information on the pre and post dates for this series. The large size dimes are tough. The Greensboro 1820 NGC PR66 Cam (now PCGS PR66+ CAC) is likely unique. There may be two 1822 proof dimes, the Quint 1822 PR66+ CAM CAC and a PR63. This indicates to me that only one or two (maybe three) collectors can be serious about this series in the same time period. As for the 1821 proof dime, there may be four known specimens, with one locked in a vault at the Smithsonian.
Heritage’s April 2015 Auction is the last public sale for the Hansen specimen, but has not been the only. The first known auction appearance dates to the Stack's Empire Auction on 11/1957. (This is a very special month and year for me). It appeared again in a Stack’s Sale on 10/1992. The Heritage 2015 sale gives no indication of consignor. I have been told this coin was once in the David Quint Collection of Early Dimes, as the 1822 PR66+ reference above. That must have an amazing set. At some point, I may research and see if I can find more out about the collection. The Hansen coin holds the auction record from 2015 sale where it realized $96,000. The Eliasberg coin sold in Heritage January 2019 sale where it realized $78,000 in a NGC PR65 holder. CoinFacts gives the mintage to be five coins for the 1821. They place the Survival Estimate at three. From my research and input from others, I think there may be at least four that be confirmed. It is still a pretty low population and Numismatic Rarity is 9.8 for all grades.
I stated before that there may be only four true 1821 Capped Bust Dimes. The following roster is based on information given in Heritage’s 2019 auction description.
1) Hansen Specimen - PR66 PCGS. CAC. JR-9. Empire Sale (Stack's, 11/1957), lot 750; Floyd T. Starr (Stack's, 10/1992), lot 352; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2015), lot 4986. 2) Link Specimen - PR65 PCGS. JR-9. Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection (Bowers and Merena, 5/1996), lot 1068; Bowers and Merena (4/2005), lot 399. 3) Unknown Owner - Choice Proof. JR-9. Harold P. Newlin; T. Harrison Garrett; Garrett Collection; Johns Hopkins University (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1980), lot 1585. 4) Mint Collection. Proof - National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution
Other Proof appearances that may be Proof Like Specimen PR65 NGC. JR-7. Turtle Rock Collection (Superior, 2/2008), lot 489. Choice Proof. JR-9. Bowers and Ruddy (privately, 2/1976); Stack's (privately, 7/1984); Allen F. Lovejoy (Stack's, 10/1990), lot 59; Stack's (10/1997), lot 451. Choice Proof. JR-7. Barney Bluestone (6/25/1946); Floyd T. Starr (Stack's, 10/1992), lot 351. PR62 NGC. JR-7. Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection (Bowers and Merena, 5/1996), lot 1067; Long Beach Connoisseur Collection (Bowers and Merena, 8/1999), lot 90.
The coin was acquired by David Lawrence Rare Coins from another dealer. I do not know the dealer it was acquired from, but I do know that Legend Numismatics had the coin listed in their inventory for $110,000 for some time. Heritage (2015) describe the coin as: The Premium Gem offered here is exquisite, with fully mirrored fields and sharply detailed, lustrous devices that impart slight contrast. The pristine champagne surfaces have deeper gold and iridescent splashes on both sides. Both sides exhibit crisp junctions between the fields and devices. An exceptional example for the connoisseur of our early silver coinage. An Capped Bust expert that has actual examined the coin added these identification comments: Through one of the stars on the right, the coin either has a small stick through area or a small scratch. Some difficulty in deciding if the abnormality is mint made or post mint damage. I think the latter is more likely, but an overall minor issue on a terrific coin.
There is so much more that can be said here, but due to space, I will not get into the two varieties, the JR-7 Large Date and the JR-9 Small Date. I am not confident the JR-7 Large Date variety is confirmed in proof. In closing, it would be nice to see more additions to this set. Previous to this week, the last addition to this small set was 2/5/2019. Due to set rarity, and not being a focus for the collection, I would not be surprised that we don’t see another phenomenal Capped Bus Dime addition in 2020.
@BestGerman said:
Here are my comments on the Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part VIII
1933 $10
Eliasberg is the clear winner
1854-O $20
I can't find a "modern" grade on the Eliasberg example, but if I had to choose a winner based on image comparisons, I'd give this one to Hansen.
1856-O $20
This could be a close one. Perhaps Doug Winter can provide information on the Eliasberg PCGS AU58 and confirm that the grade is correct. Even if it is, Hansen wins by half a point.
1861-S $20 Paquet
I could not find a "modern" grade on this one either, but I would put Hansen as the clear winner.
1870-CC $20
This is an easy one - the Hansen and Eliasberg examples are one and the same.
Thanks for your input Ron. Always glad to see you post.
From a simple win-loss perspective, the winners are the same as what @Currin posted aside from the last coin which is the same coin.
Thanks Ron!
Yes, the total results is changed only slightly. The new total is 19-14-7 in favor of the D.L. Hansen Collection
This will be the next to last update for this challenge. I presented this series of postings as a competition, but the real purpose was to see and learn about some amazing coins in the D.L. Hansen Collection. The competition format was for fun purposes only. There will be no trophies or ribbons handed out. If you have become so hung up in the grading and comparisons, and missed the coins being presented, then that is a shame. So without further ado, what are the results of this week?
This week is basically two parts. The first part is the Double Eagle Proofs Only for dates, 1883, 1884, and 1887. I have always known that Louis Eliasberg had an amazing collection of gold. This is especially true with Double Eagle Proofs. PCGS wrote this about Eliasberg and his Proof Double Eagles: Between 1925 and 1950, Baltimore banker Louis Eliasberg built the only "complete" collection of U.S. coins in numismatic history. His gold coins were sold at auction in 1982. His proof $20 Liberty Set was spectacular. Some of his coins have been subsequently graded by PCGS and some have not. We have registered his entire set using the PCGS experts' grade estimate for those issue that haven't been graded by PCGS. Also note that when Louis Eliasberg was active, many collectors combined circulation strikes and proofs, so his proof $20 Liberty Set is not actually complete by today's standard. Somewhat unique, PCGS individually graded his non-PCGS graded Double Eagles. Without representing the grades are prefect and completely comparable, I will say they may be more accurate than the grades in the 1982 auction catalog. With that stated, Mr. Hansen results were better than I had predicted, Hansen 2-0-1.
The second part of the challenge compares two St. Gaudens. The first coin is the 1907 High Relief Double Eagle. I considered both the Flat Edge type and the Wire Edge type in the completion and awarded the winner the best coin of the four. For the Flat Edge type, both great collections had MS66 specimens. For the Wire Edge type, the Eliasberg Collection listed as amazing MS68 which is a much finer than the Hansen Collection, MS66. The second coin is the true rarity of the 1927-D. Mr. Hansen has a choice MS63 while Mr. Eliasberg had a remarkable gem ms66. The Eliasberg Collection won both the St. Gaudens coins.
The total value for Hansen’s five coins is $2,405,000. This week’s result is 2-2-1. Hansen is still holding on to a 5 coin lead overall. Eliasberg can tie the challenge with a 5 coin sweep in the final week. It is very possible that could happen.
1883 Double Eagle:One of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
Hansen Coin: 1883 Double Eagle PCGS PR66 DCAM POP 3/1
Eliasberg Coin: 1883 Double Eagle Est. PR65 CAM
Hansen Win (1-0-0)
1884 Double Eagle:Two of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
Hansen Coin: 1884 Double Eagle PR65 DCAM POP 1/1
Eliasberg Coin: 1884 Double Eagle est. PR65 CAM
Tie (1-0-1) Note: Hansen has a little better coin with a DCAM vs CAM
1887 Double Eagle:Three of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
Hansen Coin: 1887 Double Eagle PCGS PR64+ DCAM POP 2/4
Eliasberg Coin: 1887 Double Eagle PCGS PR64 CAM POP 1/8
Hansen Won (2-0-1)
1907 High Relief Double Eagle:One of the most popular US gold coins and a trophy issue which appeals to numerous collectors.
Hansen Coin: 1907 High Relief - Flat Edge Double Eagle PCGS MS66 POP 54/15
Eliasberg Coin: 1907 High Relief - Flat Edge Double Eagle Est. MS66 POP 54/15
Hansen Coin: 1907 High Relief - Wire Edge Double Eagle PCGS MS66 POP 80/28
Eliasberg Coin: 1907 High Relief - Wire Edge Double Eagle Est. MS68 POP 2/1
Eliasberg Won (2-1-1)
1927-D Double Eagle:The rarest and most valuable regular issue 20th century US gold coin.
Hansen Coin: 1927-D Double Eagle PCGS MS63 POP 1/8
Eliasberg Coin: 1927-D Double Eagle Est. PCGS MS66 POP 5/1
Hansen Won (2-2-1)
This week showcased some very nice Proof Liberty Head Double Eagles. Hansen’s proofs were just a little better that Eliasberg in all three coins, but I generously gave Eliasberg a tie on one. For the two coins compared for the $20 St. Gaudens, both coins obviously went to Eliasberg. The week end up in tie, but Hansen maintains his five coin lead going into the final week. This is certainly a good place to be for Mr. Hansen, because I don’t see next week going so well.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars:Massive in size and with lovely, novel designs, this commemorative gold pieces epitomize the Wow Factor.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars:Massive in size and with lovely, novel designs, this two commemorative gold pieces epitomize the Wow Factor.
1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type:My favorite design of any Territorial gold issue with a Vaquero astride a horse on the obverse.
1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug:To me, this is the coin that epitomizes the Wild West. Huge in size and curious in shape, an issue which appeals to a host of collectors.
1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type:The charming Pikes Peak design, struck for use in Denver and the Colorado Territory.
Hansen WOW Coins
1883 Double Eagle PCGS PR6 6DCAM POP 3/1 Certification #81721518, PCGS #99099 PCGS Price Guide Value $500,000, Purchased for unknown Provenance: Unknown
Expert Scott Rubin: The 1883 Proof Double Eagle is one of the rarest coins in the Liberty Head Double Eagle Series. With only twenty of the reported ninety-two struck coins known to exist today, this is a very desirable coin. No circulation issue Double Eagles were issued by the Philadelphia Mint in 1883. The earliest auction sale of an 1883 Double Eagle of which I am aware took place in January of 1884 in W. Elliot Woodward’s 62nd Sale of the Heman Ely Collection. The coin was included as part of a complete set of Proof Gold coinage of 1883. It appears that the appeal of a Proof-only strike of the 1883 Double Eagle may have enticed some of the collectors and coin dealers of the day to purchase a few for future sale. This is evidenced in the 1885 sales of possibly four 1883 Proof Double Eagles in two Woodward Sales of the J. Colvin Randall Collection. Each of these sales of the collector/dealer Randall’s coins each contained an 1883 Gold Proof Set and a single 1883 Proof Double Eagle. The point of interest may also be the price realized for the two single coins: the first realized $21.50 and the second realized $21.00, showing that there was no great demand for these coins soon after their issue. Some eighteen years after their issue a sale of a single 1883 Double Eagle Proof coin by Ed. Frossard in May of 1901 only realized $22.00.
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. 1884 Double Eagle PR65 DCAM POP 1/1 Certification #81721521, PCGS #99100 PCGS Price Guide Value $265,000, Purchased for unknown Provenance: Unknown
Expert David Akers: Comments: For many years, the 1884 took second billing to the 1883 as a rarity but it is now firmly established that the 1884 is the rarer of the two proof-only issues. As a date, the 1884 is the second rarest in the entire Liberty Head Double Eagle series after the excessively rare 1961 Paquet. All of the dates prior to 1881 are more rare in proof than the 1884 but, of course, they are available as business strikes while the 1884 is not. All 1884 Double Eagles that I have seen have an unusual surface texture or color discontinuity in the throat area. This is in the die and does not constitute a defect.
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. 1887 Double Eagle PCGS PR64+ DCAM POP 2/4 Certification #81721528, PCGS #99103 PCGS Price Guide Value $165,000, Purchased for unknown Provenance: Unknown
Expert P. Scott Rubin Comments: The 1887 Double Eagle was only issued in Proof. The United States Mint at Philadelphia reported striking 121 1887 Proof Double Eagles and no coins for general circulation. This was the last of a seven year run of low-mintage Double Eagles issued by the Philadelphia Mint. In three of the years from 1881 to 1887, the Philadelphia Mint issuance of Double Eagles consisted only of Proofs in 1883, 1884 and 1887. Both Proof and circulation strike Double Eagles were issued in 1881, 1882, 1885 and 1886. The 121 Proof Double Eagles reported in 1887 was a larger-than-average mintage for the era. It is likely that not all of these coins were sold and some may have been melted at the end of the year or early the following year. Today only about thirty 1887 Proof Double Eagles are believed to have survived. In 1887, few people collected Double Eagles. The coins were expensive to own and they were not worth much in the secondary market. The few individuals who did collect these large denomination coins would, in most cases, not have cared which Mint issued the coin. The 1887-S Double Eagle was the most plentiful of the year, this collectors had no need to pay a premium for a Proof coin from the Philadelphia Mint.
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. 1907 High Relief - Flat Edge Double Eagle PCGS MS66 POP 54/15 Certification #80823820, PCGS #9136 PCGS Price Guide Value $75,000, Last sold stacks Bowers 2016 realized $67,562.50 Provenance Unknown
Expert David Akers Comments: The 1907 High Relief with the Flat Rim is not especially rare, but it is considerably more rare than the Wire Rim variety, at least two to three times as rare, in fact. Because of the beauty of the design and the fact that it represented the first significant design change in the 58 year history of the Double Eagle series, High Reliefs were saved in quantity and preserved with great care. As a result, many Flat Rim High Reliefs exist and a substantial portion of them are in choice or gem uncirculated condition. This issue is high priced but not rare; its history, beauty and low mintage have made it one of the most popular U.S. gold coins and this popularity, rather than any inherent rarity, has brought about the High Relief's comparatively high price. Some Wire Rim coins, especially circulated ones, have much, if not most, of their wire rim missing and so it is sometimes difficult to tell whether a particular coin is a Wire Rim or a Flat Rim merely by looking at the rim. However, since the varieties resulted from the use of collars, they are also distinguishable by looking at the lettered edge. On the Flat Rim variety there is a number of raised lines on the edge running parallel to the rim. These are absent on the Wire Rim variety.
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. 1927-D Double Eagle PCGS MS635 POP 1/8 Certification #28773047, PCGS #9187 PCGS Price Guide Value $1,400.000 Pedigree: Stack's 10/1981:1252 - Bowers & Merena 10/1987:2201, $242,000 - Charles Kramer Collection - Stack's/Superior 11/1988:913, $187,000 - Superior 2/1992:3339, not sold - Superior 1/1993:1595, $137,500 - Richmond Collection - David Lawrence 7/2004:2431, $575,000 - Park Avenue Registry Set - Donald E. Bently Collection - Heritage 3/2014:2431, $1,292,500 - D.L. Hansen Collection
Expert David Akers Comments: When all grades are considered, the 1927-D is the rarest collectible, regular issue Saint-Gaudens double eagle by far. Futhermore, it is also the rarest 20th-century gold coin of any denomination. (Of course, the 1933 double eagle is more rare but it is not collectible in the sense that it cannot presently be legally held, and although the 1907 Extremely High Relief is of virtually identical rarity to the 1927-D, technically it is a pattern and not a regular issue.) Estimates of the number of examples known of the 1927-D generally have been in the six to eight pieces, but I have personally examined 11 specimens that I know for certain to be different. I estimate that at least a dozen are known, perhaps as many as 15. The majority are MS-63 or better and several are solid gems. The Eliasberg coin now owned by a prominent Eastern collector is a high end MS-65, and the Dr. Steven Duckor example which he purchased from Auction '84 and the Browning specimen are both full MS-65. The three examples in the Smithsonian Institution are all MS-63 to MS-64 as is the coin from Stack's October 1985 sale that was purchased by MTB for a client. It is difficult to pick out one piece as the "finest" but that accolade most likely should go to the Elaiasberg specimen. In the 1940's, when many great collections were sold (J.F. Bell, Flanagan, WGC, Atwater etc.), the 1927-D was considered to be rare but it was not held in the same high regard as the 1924-S and 1926-D which were considered to be the two rarest dates in the series, nor was it thought to be as rare as the 1926-S, 1927-S, or 1931-D. However, since the early 1950's additional specimens of all others have turned up but, to the best of my knowledge, no "new" 1927-D Double Eagles have been discovered during that time. The mintage of the 1927-D is low by late date standards but a number of different sets of dies were used to strike the 180,000 coins. Most, but not all, existing specimens were struck from the same pair of dies with the following characteristics. Obverse: Thin hairline die crack from star to star at the top of the L in LIBERTY. Another thin die crack running from the base of the L to the torch. Reverse: Thin vertical die scratch through the eagle's beak. A 1927-D with these characteristics is undoubtedly genuine. However, a specimen without these characteristics is not necessarily a fake because it may have been struck from one of the other pairs of dies used. The 1927-D is always well struck, except that the stars in the lower left quadrant are normally flat. The surfaces are always frosty, and the color and lustre are very good to excellent. All specimens that I have seen have similar color, a light medium orange and greenish gold. Not surprisingly, a nice 1927-D (and most of them are nice) looks very much like a nice 1923-D or 1924-D.
1861-S Paquet
In a letter dated January 5th James Ross Snowden Director of the Mint wrote to Charles H Hempstead Superintendent of the SFBM
the following
In preparing the new dies for 1861,
a slight deviation in the diameter
of the double eagle was inadvertently made. As it is highly important that a proper uniformity
of size should be maintained. I have
to request that you will use the old
reverses of the double eagle dies
and not the new ones. If you require
any additional reverses they will
be forwarded on your requisition
The message was not delivered until
Feb 2
Meanwhile in SF
On January 16th the SFBM Coiner
delivered 5,000 Double Eagles
By the end of the month the total number was 17,250 pieces.
On February 2nd the date the message was received 3,000 additional DE ‘s were delivered
Hempstead wrote back to Snowden
and told him $385,000 DE (Paquet
reverse) had been coined or (19,250
pieces)
Thus it is possible both Paquet and old reverse DE’s were delivered at the SFBM on that day
I did not see any mass melting of these pieces
On August 9th Donahue, Ralston
& Co. deposited for melting
31.13 ozs of Double Eagles
While it is quite possible that these coins bore the Paquet Reverse the number is too small to have had any impact on the survival rate of these coins
For everyone that has been watching D.L Hansen the last couple years, you should agree the collection is massive. I would personally estimate the collection to be 15,000 PCGS Certified Coins give or take a couple thousand. The collection is centered on his quest to complete as many as possible for the US standard issues. In addition to that mission, he has a nice start to the proofs, major variances, moderns, bullion, commemoratives, and much more. Fall (2018) he went on a cleanup mission, and it appear he is still on the mission. I see his focus as:
1) collecting the final handful of coins needed to complete the PCGS HOF Basic set,
2) upgrading the basic set, and
3) adding to his number #2 sets. I feel the #2 sets have a purpose, but I am not sure I know what that is.
After viewing the last several months, it appears to me the team is razor focus on these three priorities.
The collection is not only large in number, but has big boy coins. The gold series that I have been posting the last several weeks will testify to that. The past couple years, he has purchased several record rarities. In 2019, he purchased the #1 highest selling coin in the US, when the 1885 Trade Dollar realized $3,969,000. He had the #2 honor in 2018 with the 1804 Mickey-Hawn Dollar at $2,640,000. His collection has grown to over 1000 PCGS sets, and hundreds of millions of dollars.
So, with priorities as they are, then how come 19 Large Cents Newcomb Die Variety Specimens are added? The last that I discussed Newcomb Die Variety Sets was October 2018. The two date runs create a massive collection of Large Cents. As D.L. Hansen’s Collection stands today:
Large Cents Die Variety Set by Newcomb, CS (1816-1839) Requires 244 and have 176 (72%) (53% in 2018)
Large Cents Die Variety Set by Newcomb, CS (1839-1857) Requires 373 and have 309 (83%) (73% in 2018)
As you can see, 1816 – 1857, there are 617 coins required and the Hansen Collection has 485 presently. Building variety sets really expands the focus and the coin count in the Hansen Collection. So why?
I think many people view Mr. Hansen as a billionaire collector that collects coins and store them in his vault. That is a true statement for sure, but also he is a typically collector like many of us that simply enjoy collecting and especially the thrill of making a find. I would think the purchase of a four million coin can be a thrill, but it appear he also enjoys buying the “rather inexpensive” large cents in what I call his bottle cap collection. I asked John Brush what was the deal. As much work that required to maintain the basic objectives of the collection, why spend time on Newcomb Die Variety purchases? He relied: That’s a set DLH has been working on for long time… just a small project which he enjoys filling holes. Does that not sound like you and me?
• 1817 13 Stars Newcomb -1 AU50BN POP 3/2
• 1817 13 Stars Newcomb -2 AU58BN POP 1/8
• 1817 13 Stars Newcomb -4 AU53BN POP 1/3
• 1817 13 Stars Newcomb -5 MS63BN POP 2/
• 1819 Small Date Newcomb -6 MS62BN POP 2/3
• 1820/19 Newcomb -2 AU58BN POP 3/6
• 1820 Large Date Newcomb -12 MS64BN POP 1/4
• 1825 Newcomb -6 AU58BN POP 3/7
• 1826 Newcomb -6 AU58+ BN POP 1/9
• 1827 Newcomb -3 AU58BN POP 1/5
• 1829 Medium Letters Newcomb -VF30BN POP 1/4
• 1830 Large Letters Newcomb -5 MS63BN POP 1/1
• 1831 Large Letters Newcomb -9 MS62BN POP 3/1
• 1833 Newcomb -1 MS62BN POP 2/2
• 1834 Large 8 Sm St ML Newcomb -4 MS62BN POP 1/7
• 1836 Newcomb -1 AU58BN POP 1 2
• 1836 Newcomb -2 MS62BN POP 3/6
• 1838 Newcomb -3 MS62BN POP 2/7
• 1838 Newcomb -12 MS63BN POP 1/6
@btcollects said:
not a complete set without every die variety and die state
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I agree that die variety (major and minor varieties) could be considered as a completion of a collection. They are different coins from unique dies. I don’t feel that I can agree with the notion that every die state is needed. These coins are the same coin from the same dies, just a different life cycle of the dies.
Assembling a complete collection of die variety (major and minor varieties) would be mind blowing. For the gold series, think of the number of coins required. It is interesting to ponder the possibility.
Almost a year has passed from this last update on Buffalo Nickels. I call this set a work in progress, with slow going. As I wrote a year ago, the #1 Registry Buffalo Nickel Set is the HOF Forsythe Set. The set is a long standing set that has maintained the award of the best of the registry since 2005. The set received its HOF status in 2005. It will be difficult, really impossible for Hansen to overcome this set. To make matters even grimmer, JDG Trust Collection has an amazing set of Buffalos that is rank #2.
In the Buffalo collection, Mr. Hansen upgrades coins when they become available. The Buffalo Nickel set is obviously a series that he is not very aggressive. I am sure weighing the competition is a leading reason. In the first upgrades for 2020, he replaced three coins. They were 1925-S MS65 POP 33/3, 1931-S MS67 POP 13/0, and the best for last, amazing 1917 MS68 POP 4/0. This is a set that really all Mr. Hansen can hope to do is chip away when better coins come available. He replaced nine coins in 2019 and three so far in 2020. With eleven of the PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens are tied up in the top two sets, the expectations should not be set but so high. As I stated last year, to overcome the #2 set may also be an impossible challenge.
Expert David Hall comments: In circulated grades, the 1917 is about equal in rarity to the 1915, 1916, and 1918. In Gem condition, the 1917 is about equal in rarity to the 1914, and it is rarer than the 1915, 1916, and 1919, but not as rare as the 1918. As a group, the 1914 to 1919 Philadelphia Mint issues are not quite as rare in Gem condition as the 1920 to 1924 issues, then beginning in 1925 many more examples were saved (thank you, Wayte Raymond!) The 1917, like most Philadelphia Buffalo nickels, is usually very well struck. Luster can be somewhat satiny to somewhat frosty.
Almost a year has passed from this last update on Buffalo Nickels. I call this set a work in progress, with slow going. As I wrote a year ago, the #1 Registry Buffalo Nickel Set is the HOF Forsythe Set. The set is a long standing set that has maintained the award of the best of the registry since 2005. The set received its HOF status in 2005. It will be difficult, really impossible for Hansen to overcome this set. To make matters even grimmer, JDG Trust Collection has an amazing set of Buffalos that is rank #2.
In the Buffalo collection, Mr. Hansen upgrades coins when they become available. The Buffalo Nickel set is obviously a series that he is not very aggressive. I am sure weighing the competition is a leading reason. In the first upgrades for 2020, he replaced three coins. They were 1925-S MS65 POP 33/3, 1931-S MS67 POP 13/0, and the best for last, amazing 1917 MS68 POP 4/0. This is a set that really all Mr. Hansen can hope to do is chip away when better coins come available. He replaced nine coins in 2019 and three so far in 2020. With eleven of the PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens are tied up in the top two sets, the expectations should not be set but so high. As I stated last year, to overcome the #2 set may also be an impossible challenge.
Expert David Hall comments: In circulated grades, the 1917 is about equal in rarity to the 1915, 1916, and 1918. In Gem condition, the 1917 is about equal in rarity to the 1914, and it is rarer than the 1915, 1916, and 1919, but not as rare as the 1918. As a group, the 1914 to 1919 Philadelphia Mint issues are not quite as rare in Gem condition as the 1920 to 1924 issues, then beginning in 1925 many more examples were saved (thank you, Wayte Raymond!) The 1917, like most Philadelphia Buffalo nickels, is usually very well struck. Luster can be somewhat satiny to somewhat frosty.
Almost a year has passed from this last update on Buffalo Nickels. I call this set a work in progress, with slow going. As I wrote a year ago, the #1 Registry Buffalo Nickel Set is the HOF Forsythe Set. The set is a long standing set that has maintained the award of the best of the registry since 2005. The set received its HOF status in 2005. It will be difficult, really impossible for Hansen to overcome this set. To make matters even grimmer, JDG Trust Collection has an amazing set of Buffalos that is rank #2.
In the Buffalo collection, Mr. Hansen upgrades coins when they become available. The Buffalo Nickel set is obviously a series that he is not very aggressive. I am sure weighing the competition is a leading reason. In the first upgrades for 2020, he replaced three coins. They were 1925-S MS65 POP 33/3, 1931-S MS67 POP 13/0, and the best for last, amazing 1917 MS68 POP 4/0. This is a set that really all Mr. Hansen can hope to do is chip away when better coins come available. He replaced nine coins in 2019 and three so far in 2020. With eleven of the PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens are tied up in the top two sets, the expectations should not be set but so high. As I stated last year, to overcome the #2 set may also be an impossible challenge.
Expert David Hall comments: In circulated grades, the 1917 is about equal in rarity to the 1915, 1916, and 1918. In Gem condition, the 1917 is about equal in rarity to the 1914, and it is rarer than the 1915, 1916, and 1919, but not as rare as the 1918. As a group, the 1914 to 1919 Philadelphia Mint issues are not quite as rare in Gem condition as the 1920 to 1924 issues, then beginning in 1925 many more examples were saved (thank you, Wayte Raymond!) The 1917, like most Philadelphia Buffalo nickels, is usually very well struck. Luster can be somewhat satiny to somewhat frosty.
It would be great to know what the graders thought since multiple people looked at it.
@btcollects said:
not a complete set without every die variety and die state
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I agree that die variety (major and minor varieties) could be considered as a completion of a collection. They are different coins from unique dies. I don’t feel that I can agree with the notion that every die state is needed. These coins are the same coin from the same dies, just a different life cycle of the dies.
Assembling a complete collection of die variety (major and minor varieties) would be mind blowing. For the gold series, think of the number of coins required. It is interesting to ponder the possibility.
There is no way that was a serious comment! Maybe if he/she hadn't added "... and die state"...
@btcollects said:
not a complete set without every die variety and die state
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I agree that die variety (major and minor varieties) could be considered as a completion of a collection. They are different coins from unique dies. I don’t feel that I can agree with the notion that every die state is needed. These coins are the same coin from the same dies, just a different life cycle of the dies.
Assembling a complete collection of die variety (major and minor varieties) would be mind blowing. For the gold series, think of the number of coins required. It is interesting to ponder the possibility.
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Just to add a little perspective to attempting a collection of this size and scope, this was found in the book authored by J. W. Dannreuther:
Collecting any series, especially early gold coins, by variety and die state, as previously noted, is difficult. Harry W. Bass, Jr, collected all the gold coins from 1795 to 1834 by this method. Thus, he obtained all 29 quarter eagles, 133 of the 143 half eagles, and 32 of the 33 eagles. He also had different die states for many of the issues...... The number of die states for these 205 coins is unknown, but it likely approaches 1,000. (page 24)
HWB,jr came up 11 coins short of the 205. I believe at lease two new varieties have been discovered since the book was published. Without digging deeper and just by memory, I know there are at least two halve eagles not collectible due to only known unique specimens are in the Smithsonian. It is still interesting to ponder someone attempting to collect all series by major and minor variety.
This week is the completion of a ten week series showcasing some of the finest known gold coins. I used a coin listing from a blog authored by Doug Winters on his website. I have enjoyed researching and providing a weekly update. I hope you enjoyed watching along. Next week I will post a conclusion and give more information into some of my final thoughts and details.
Again this week, the five coins are group in basically two parts. The first part features the two Fifty Dollar gold coins commemorating the Panama-Pacific Exposition. To make the comparisons simple, both the Hansen Specimens and Eliasberg Specimens are certified by PCGS. For the round type specimen, Hansen’s has a MS64 compared to Eliasberg’s MS63. Both Collections have the Octagon Specimen graded MS63. The results favor Hansen (1-0-1).
The last three coins are representatives of Pioneer Gold. I reference the 1996 Auction Catalog produced by Bowers and Merena for the sale of Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection. The sale featured a very nice grouping of “Private and Territorial Gold Coins”. The introduction stated that: Although pioneer and territorial gold coins were not the mainstream of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.’s interest, nor were the necessary to the completion of his federal series, over the years he acquired a beautiful representative cabinet of the series”. The sale featured 56 lots from this series. At this point, the D. L. Collection has not actively acquired very many coins in the series. John Brush stated: Dell Loy's focus is slightly different than Eliasberg as it is simply attempting to collect an example of everything that was a regular issue US coin. The territorials are not something that he's ever had interest in overall. The Eliasberg wins all three of the pioneer and territorial gold coins in the challenge.
The total value for Hansen’s two coins is $212,000. This week’s result is 1-3-1. The end result of this challenge was Hansen 22-19-9. It is safe to say that both collections produced some really amazing coins.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars:Massive in size and with lovely, novel designs, this commemorative gold pieces epitomize the Wow Factor.
Hansen Coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars PCGS MS64 POP 98/46
Eliasberg Coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars PCGS MS3 POP 119/147
Hansen Win (1-0-0)
1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars:Massive in size and with lovely, novel designs, this two commemorative gold pieces epitomize the Wow Factor.
Hansen Coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars PCGS MS63 POP 168/178
Eliasberg Coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars PCGS MS63 POP 168/178
Tie (1-0-1)
1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type:My favorite design of any Territorial gold issue with a Vaquero astride a horse on the obverse.
Hansen Coin: 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type PCGS est. AU55 Eliasberg Won (corr) (1-1-1)
1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug:To me, this is the coin that epitomizes the Wild West. Huge in size and curious in shape, an issue which appeals to a host of collectors.
Hansen Coin: 1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug Est. EF40
Eliasberg Won (2-1-1)
1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type:The charming Pikes Peak design, struck for use in Denver and the Colorado Territory.
Hansen Coin: 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type Est. AU50 Eliasberg Won (corr) (3-1-1)
Expert Ron Guth Comments: In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-Pacific Exposition to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal. To commemorate the event, the United States mint struck a variety of coins in silver and gold, including a Half Dollar, Gold Dollar, $2-1/2 Gold, $50 Gold Octagonal, and $50 Gold Round. The coins were sold at the Exposition individually or in a variety of combinations and/or sets. Apart from Patterns and semi-official Territorial gold coins, the United States had never issued a $50 gold piece. Not sure of how many they could sell, Mint officials struck 1,509 Octagonal and 1,510 Round versions. Because of the high cost of the coins and the sets, very few coins actually sold. Of the 1,510 $50 Rounds, 10 were set aside for assay purposes, 483 were sold to the public, and the remaining 1,017 coins were destroyed. The Panama-Pacific $50 Round ranks as one of the great numismatic rarities of the Twentieth Century.
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. 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars (Gold Shield) Certification #36175913, PCGS #7452 PCGS Price Guide Value $87,500, Purchased for unknown Provenance: Unknown
Expert Ron Guth Comments: In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-Pacific Exposition, a massive celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal. To record the event, the U.S. Mint produced a variety of commemorative coins, including a Half Dollar, a Gold Dollar, a Quarter Eagle, and two versions of a $50 gold piece (one round and one octagonal). Attendees at the Exposition could purchase the coins singly or in a variety of combinations. The most extreme combination was a double set (two of each coin) housed in a specially made copper and glass frame. Because of the high face value of the $50 coins, sales failed to meet expectations, resulting in hundreds of unsold coins. These were eventually melted down, resulting in a net mintage figure of only 645 pieces. The $50 Panama-Pacific gold coins are massive, heavy coins made of a relatively soft metal. As a result, the coins are susceptible to wear and damage, making it difficult to find exceptional examples. The vast majority of survivors are Mint State, usually in MS63. Gems are very rare, and the best examples top out at MS66.
Eliasberg’s pioneer gold was woefully under graded in the auction catalog (by today’s standards). I own his Miner’s Bank $10, for example. It was listed as EF40, now resides in a P58 CAC holder. This will make comparisons like this very difficult.
@OriginalDan said:
Eliasberg’s pioneer gold was woefully under graded in the auction catalog (by today’s standards). I own his Miner’s Bank $10, for example. It was listed as EF40, now resides in a P58 CAC holder. This will make comparisons like this very difficult.
In the comparison above, it happens to be easy to compare because Hansen doesn’t have the mentioned territorial coins yet
But I agree straight grade comparison can be challenging if the grades are from different time periods. It would be best to have grades from the same time period, whether TPGs or other expert options who have seen the coins.
@OriginalDan said:
Eliasberg’s pioneer gold was woefully under graded in the auction catalog (by today’s standards). I own his Miner’s Bank $10, for example. It was listed as EF40, now resides in a P58 CAC holder. This will make comparisons like this very difficult.
In the comparison above, it happens to be easy to compare because Hansen doesn’t have the mentioned territorial coins yet
But I agree straight grade comparison can be challenging if the grades are from different time periods. It would be best to have grades from the same time period, whether TPGs or other expert options who have seen the coins.
Yeah, and with Territorial you can sometimes track down the coin, because there are only a handful in high grade. With enough looking we might be able to create a fair comparison if we can find the current grade of the Eliasberg coin.
@Currin said: Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part X
[...] 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type:My favorite design of any Territorial gold issue with a Vaquero astride a horse on the obverse.
Hansen Coin: 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type PCGS est. AU55
Hansen Won (1-1-1)
[...] 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type:The charming Pikes Peak design, struck for use in Denver and the Colorado Territory.
Hansen Coin: 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type Est. AU50
Hansen Won (3-1-1)
@Currin said: Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part X
[...] 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type:My favorite design of any Territorial gold issue with a Vaquero astride a horse on the obverse.
Hansen Coin: 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type PCGS est. AU55
Hansen Won (1-1-1)
[...] 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type:The charming Pikes Peak design, struck for use in Denver and the Colorado Territory.
Hansen Coin: 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type Est. AU50
Hansen Won (3-1-1)
Results this week. Hansen won - 1, Eliasberg won - 3, Tie - 1..... for 1-3-1 as 10000lakes posted.
Glad to see he could follow the posting even being a little confusing.. good job
1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars - Hansen Won
1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars - Tie
1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type - Eliasberg Won
1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug - Eliasberg Won
1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type - Eliasberg Won
This is a not an impressive addition. This must definitely be a hole filler. The New Orleans 1849 quarter is tough date, but to settle for a G6 is surprising. In comparison, Eliasberg specimen was a MS62. There is not much else to say about this coin. I hope John can drop in a give us some insight on how this ended up in the collection.
Ron Guth CoinFacts comments on the 1849-O 25C:
In a survey of the members of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, published in the March 2008 issue of the Gobrecht Journal, the 1849-O Quarter Dollar was ranked third among the Ten Greatest New Orleans Seated Coins: "This is one of the key dates in the Seated quarter series with an estimated mintage of only 16,000 pieces. Most of the available coins are well worn but several mint state specimens are known. A beautiful deeply toned coin that was graded NGC MS-64 appeared in the DLRC auction of the Richmond Collection in March 2005. Another example described as MS-62 appeared in the Bowers and Merena sale of the Eliasberg Collection in April 1997. While only 27% of the respondents placed this issue among their top three choices, it received strong support from the majority of members with 66% placing it among their top seven coins."
I did not foresee this coin remaining in the collection very long. It did survive about one year and nine months. The G6 coin is one of two coins in this low graded condition in the basic collection. I am wondering if the new XF-40 will survive one year and nine months. Maybe.
The finest specimen in PCGS Condition Census Report is a MS63 PCGS grade that sold at Heritage 4/2016 for $17,038. The coin is from David McCarthy personal collection. PCGS Rarity and Survival Estimates place known specimens for all grades at 450.
1849-O Liberty Seated Quarter XF40
This coin was listed on website hosted by Gerry Fortin Rare Coins. The coin was placed on hold and sold pretty quickly after becoming available. The coin is said to be part of a complete set of Liberty Seated quarters from the Sunset Point Collection. The coin was advertised at $6470. PCGS valued the coin at $7000. Gerry Fortin offered this description:
Key New Orleans Date, Steely Residual Luster, Light Gun Metal Gray-Blue Patina, Near Choice Original Surfaces, Accurately Graded, Sunset Point Collection. The mintage for 1849-O New Orleans strikes is unrecorded with Briggs estimating a mintage of 16,000 pieces. Few example ever reach the marketplace. However, GFRC customers are lucky to have access to two PCGS graded EF40 example for comparison shopping. This offering is part of a complete set of Liberty Seated quarters from the Sunset Point Collection. A strictly original with ample residual luster on both sides. Surfaces are toned with a light gun metal gray-blue patina with GFRC images amplifying the blues. Obverse strike is partial and slightly better than that seen on the earlier 1847-O date. Reverse has a mark by the eagle's head otherwise, the fields are free from blemishes. Heavy die rust is noted in the obverse shield and surrounding gown folds. PCGS has graded eight at the EF40 level with few known at a higher level. Accurately graded and housed in old blue label PCGS holder with standard ring insert. An offering that should receive much consideration as nearly all EF40 examples are tied up in long term collections.
1849-O Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar XF40 Certification #21902015, PCGS #5414, POP 9/15 PCGS Price Guide Value: $7,000 / Purchase Price Unknown Provenance: Sunset Point Collection – D.L Hansen Collection purchase from Gerry Fortin Rare Coins
Comments
Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part VII-v1
There will not an update this week. There are a couple corrections to last week’s update. I sometimes view the Hansen watch as a massive research thread. I certainly appreciate when the community contributes. This past week @burdell sent me research that he discovered. After reviewing, I do agree with his conclusion.
1841-O Eagle:
The first eagle struck at a branch mint and the first–obviously–from New Orleans.
Hansen Coin: 1841-O Eagle PCGS AU55 POP 5/1, Pittman Specimen
Eliasberg Coin: 1841-O Eagle PCGS AU55 POP 5/1 AU58 POP 1/0
Tie(0-0-1 0-1-0 ) Note: They are not the same coins
I knew the Hansen coin and Eliasberg coin was not the same. The PCGS Condition Census clearly indicates that Eliasberg’s coin was one of the PCGS AU55 specimens tied for second with the AU58 being finer. The Hansen specimen provenance given in the posting last week was from New Netherlands' 49th Sale, June 1957, lot 236; David W. Akers' sale of the John Jay Pittman Collection, Part II, May 1998, lot 1915. This information is not shown in the PCGS Condition Census chart.
I humbly suggest the Eliasberg 41o is now PC58 rather than 55. DW's image is still today on his Coinapedia. I snagged the image 1/13. Look above the E(STATES) in the following images. Best regards, Tom.
41o.50r.82-10.BR665.1 Eliasberg
41o.58pc.13-1.dwcp
I agree with Tom. What this means, the Eliasberg is in the registry twice, with the AU55 being pedigreed to Eliasberg, and AU58 being undesignated. Is this due to a breakout upgrade? Not sure. One nice thing to say about the Hansen Collection, they are not breaking their coins coin out. They are summited to PCGS for reconsideration. I personally think that is the right way to do it.
This change the overall score from 15-13-7 to 15-14-6
1875 Eagle:
Crazy low-mintage of just 200 business strikes and by far the rarest date in the series with just 7/8 or so known
Hansen Coin: 1875 Eagle PCGS AU50 3/2 (actually 3/1) Purchased Thursday Night Heritage Auction
Hansen Coin: 1875 Eagle PCGS PR63CAM POP 1/4
Eliasberg Coin: 1875 Eagle Est. XF45 PCGS (John Dannreuther notes it is actually an altered date)
Eliasberg Coin: 1875 Eagle NGC PR64, PCGS list as est. PR63, may be the best 1875 in the grouping.
With this new information from John Dannreuther, and Mr. Hansen’s purchased in the Thursday night Heritage Auction, now the D.L. Hansen Collection should get the nod. The overall final is revised to 16-13-6. The new purchase presented a significant swing in Hansen’s favor.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
The case of the 1875 Eagle wherein proof coins are separate from business strikes really loses reality in the designation of the quality of a coin. In the day of Eliasberg, proof coins and business strikes were interchangeable in a set. I think that Hansen should be given the same standard the Eliasberg's set was graded to. In other words, if Eliasberg's best specimen was a proof, that should be considered the superior grade. If Hansen's coin is a proof, then that should be considered the superior grade.
The market makers in numismatics have sought to differentiate the more common business strikes from the much more uncommon proof strikes. This only creates market in the much more common business strike variety. The quality of a collection should not be measured by delineating between business strikes and proof coins. To compare two great collections in perspective, the PCGS Registry should be revised to a singular grading standard by which a proof coin is always graded two points higher than a business strike. And an in hand comparison of a proof and a business strike might indicate a greater differential.
This was the standard in Eliasberg's time.........and it should be the standard for any comparison.
OINK
Updates from the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Liberty Eagles
From this week’s updates, I believe Mr. Hansen purchased at least 14 coins from the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Liberty Eagles to upgrade D.L. Hansen Collection of Liberty Head $10 Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1838-1907). The set was completed with the purchase of the 1875 Eagle from the Jacobson Collection. It is a little hard to know for sure, because I believe he purchase several coins for the #2 set. From my observation, there is no letup in Mr. Hansen upgrading his collection as some folks may have implied. I wrote and posted a few days ago on the 1875 Eagle. In this posting, I will share a group of pre- 1850 Liberty Eagles.
The 1848 Liberty Eagle is a CA Approved MS64 Specimen with a POP of 2/0. David Akers describes the coin as: The 1848 is another rare and underrated date although it is neither as rare nor as underrated as the 1845 and 1846. Most known specimens are only VF or EF and strictly uncirculated examples are extremely rare. Specimens that grade full AU are also seldom available. As a date, the 1848 is far more rare than the 1847, 1847-O and 1849 and is comparable in overall rarity to the 1842-O and 1844-O.
This coin is Ex: Simpson-Hall has appeared in auction once before in Legend’s Regency Auction XIII (Legend, 9/2015), lot 237, where it realized $29,375. In last week Stacks Bowers Auction, the new Hansen specimen set an auction record when it realized $66,000. It is somewhat interesting why the coin did not realize but $29,375 in Legend’s 2015 Auction. The other PCGS MS64 specimen has twice sold in the last ten years, Goldberg Auctioneers, May-2009 realizing $60,375 and Stack's Bowers Oct-2014 realizing $64,625. The two MS64’s have sold twice each realizing min $60K, with exception of the Legend Auction that only realized $29,375. I have a guess, but will give you a chance to give your opinion if you desire.
Heritage described the coin as: The condition rarity of the No Motto eagle type can be well illustrated by the 1848. This issue has a comparatively high mintage of 145,484 pieces but the survival rate is well under 1%, and it is likely that as few as 400-500 examples exist in total. This date is seriously undervalued in properly graded AU58, and it is rare in Uncirculated with fewer than a dozen pieces currently known. Three or so of these grade MS63 and there are just two 1848 tens known in PCGS MS64: this coin (see below for pedigree information) and another -- with CAC approval -- the finer of this pair. For the entire No Motto type, PCGS has graded 34 coins in MS64 plus another six in MS64+, two in MS65 and three in MS66 (12/19). This speaks volumes about the rarity of this type in high grades. It also says, loud and clear, that the high-end type collector is not likely to find a No Motto Liberty Head eagle in Gem condition since there are just five pieces extant and all of these, to the best of our knowledge, are off the market in tightly-held collections. This is a remarkable near-Gem. The surfaces exude a radiant mint luster that is not often seen on New Orleans gold. Abrasions are infrequent and none are of individual significance. Rich reddish-tinted golden color throughout.
1848 Liberty Eagle, MS64 CAC Approved
Tied With One Other as Finest at PCGS
Radiant Mint Luster, PCGS POP 2/0
Certification #29583010, PCGS #8599
PCGS Price Guide: $42,500 / Heritage 2020: $66,000 Auction Record
Ex: Simpson / Hall; Regency Auction XIII (Legend, 9/2015), lot 237, where it realized $29,375
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Other Upgrades from Jacobson Collection (Top Set)
1838 $10 AU58 Certification #02275752, PCGS #8575
Scarce and Popular First-Year Issue
PCGS Price Guide: $55,000 / Heritage 2020: $40,800
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1839 $10 Type of 1840 AU58 Certification #84071900, PCGS #8580
Clearly in the Condition Census
PCGS Price Guide: $60,000 / Heritage 2020: $36,000
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1841 $10 MS61 Certification #35362125, PCGS #8582
Rarely Seen in Uncirculated
PCGS Price Guide: $15,000 / Heritage 2020: $14,400
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1845 $10 AU55 Certification #02560653, PCGS #8592
Housed in an Old Green Label Holder
PCGS Price Guide: $10,000 / Heritage 2020: $9,900
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Upgrade from Jacobson Collection (Set #2)
1843 $10 AU58 Certification #84071904, PCGS #8588
Tripled Date Variety
PCGS Price Guide: $18,500 / Heritage 2020: $14,400
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
1887-S Eagle Upgrade
Over the past few days, we have seen several upgrades from the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Liberty Eagles. Also, we saw Mr. Hansen added the tough date 1875 Eagle in AU50 condition. This coin may be tied for the second finest specimen known. This completes the set and is present #1 on the All Time PCGS Registry. The new upgrade for the 1887-S Eagle was purchased last week from the Heritage February 20th - US Coins Signature Auction at Long Beach, but the coin is not from the Jacobson Collection. The Jacobson coin that sold was a NGC MS64 Specimen. The provenance for Hansen’s new specimen is not given.
1887-S Eagle MS64+ PCGS. CAC Approved
This is the finest 1887-S Eagle certified by PCGS. The coin appeared two years ago in Heritage’s April 4th 2017, US Coins Signature Auction in Dallas. The coin was described finest at PCGS and CAC Approved. The coin realized $16,450 in 2017. At the time, Heritage stated the coin as: It is also the sole finest example endorsed by CAC.
This coin was purchased from Heritage Auction last week. They described the coin as: This is a major condition rarity for advanced series specialists. Although the San Francisco Mint produced 817,000 ten dollar gold coins in 1887, Choice Uncirculated representatives are rare. A single Gem is known, certified by NGC, and that coin brought $25,850 in Stack's Bowers' February 2015 Americana sale. This is one of six MS64 submissions at PCGS and it is the only one with a Plus designation. It is also tied with only two other pieces at this grade level CAC (1/20). Consequently, we expect strong bidding from serious Registry builders for this fantastic rose-gold near-Gem. Fully struck and beautifully frosted with intermittent green-gold accents over marvelously preserved surfaces. In this auction, the coin realized $9,001.20. I am not sure I can explain how Mr. Hansen was able to pick up this top pop specimen at such a great price. PCGS Price Guide valued the coin in grade at $17,500. Nice pick up!
1887-S Eagle, MS64+, PCGS POP 1/0
Tied for Finest at PCGS and CAC
Certification #83144224, PCGS #8711
PCGS Price Guide: $17,500 / Heritage 2020: $$9,001.20
Provenance: Unknown
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I think this argument still has merit independent of whether Eliasberg did it. If you are building a set to best represent or show off the coins and types, the proofs are more well made and better for that. If they are easier to find, then that's a double win. The best collection does not always have to be the most difficult collection to assemble. In the same wat, the best artwork or song doesn't have to be the most difficult to make.
We do factor in difficulty constantly in this discussion, and it is one of the things that can impress. If we focus on it too much, it may obscure the big picture.
IG: DeCourcyCoinsEbay: neilrobertson
"Numismatic categorizations, if left unconstrained, will increase spontaneously over time." -me
A top pop pcgs coin that is stickered and gold and a big coin for less than $10,000----just proof that there is value out there.
Jefferson Nickel Upgrade
A little change up in this posting. We will switch from gold to nickel. From my observations, it appears Mr. Hansen has a fondness for some series more than others. It may be purely price and availability, and it just looks that way. I cannot say for sure, but it seems he really has a passion for Jefferson Nickels. This is a PCGS POP 1/0 specimen that is going unto his already #1 All-Times PCGS Registry set. If you have any thoughts, please do share.
1945-D Jefferson Nickel, MS68+ FS
This nickel is sometimes referred as being in the War Nickel Series. Jaime Hernandez described as: Jefferson War Nickels were struck from 1942-1945. The 1945-D Jefferson Nickel is fairly common and can be purchased very inexpensively up to about MS66 condition. In MS67 condition it becomes much scarcer especially with the Full Steps designation. In MS68 condition it is extremely scarce with less than a handful of examples graded by PCGS with no examples known in better condition. This coin is the best of MS68s. There are only 5 graded MS68 FS, with the new Hansen coin being the only MS68+ FS. From the Great Collection archives: GreatCollections has sold 128 of the 1945-D Jefferson Nickel FS in the past 10 years, selling at prices from $8 to $16,313, in grades 64 to 68+. This is a crazy price range.
The coin was purchased Sunday, Jan 19, 2020 in a Great Collections Auction. We have seen Mr. Hansen pick up some really nice coins from this auction site lately. In a Feb 17, 2020 COINWORLD publication, they featured this coin in an article titled: Market Analysis: ANA gets into the registry set collecting craze The headline read: Two WWII-era coins soared at recent online auctions, as a 1945-D Jefferson 5-cent piece in MS-68+ full steps brought $16,312.50 and a 1943-S Lincoln cent graded MS-68+ with a green CAC sticker sold for $23,626.12. This is the on-line link if you care to read more.
https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/market-analysis-ana-gets-into-the-registry-set-collecting-craze
PCGS Coin Value has the coin priced at $20,000. The coin realized $16,312.50 with buyer’s fee. This may not be a bad price that Mr. Hansen paid for the coin. A little commentary….I have a real appreciation for the diversity in which Mr. Hansen invests in his collection. I know everyone do not feel the same as I do. Many notable specialists see purchasing a coin like this one as being a complete waste for a collector with D.L. Hansen’s budget. For me, I do like to see a $360,000 coin purchase as we did a couple weeks ago, but I also like to see the purchase of a PCGS POP 1/0 Jefferson Nickel. Is there another active collector that has this degree of diversity in collecting?
1945-D Jefferson Nickel PCGS MS-68+ FS, POP 1/0
Finest certified by PCGS
Certification #37148069, PCGS #84026
PCGS Price Guide: $20,000
Ex: Unknown
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
The high points on the Portrait seem to show abrasion or some discoloration.
Latin American Collection
Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part VIII
I was not surprise with the results this week. After all, Mr. Hansen may have the finest set of Liberty Head Double Eagles that has ever been assembled. At the core of this amazing set, is a large group of specimens from the AWA Collection. The collection was the gold standard for registry Double Eagles for almost a decade. Mr. Hansen has been improving his set for past three years. After starting the set in late 2016, he has upgraded two coins in 2020, three in 2019, 17 in 2018, 17 in 2017. I would expect upgrades to continue to take place.
With this great set of double eagles, it is not surprising for Mr. Hansen to sweep the challenge in that series. He started with two New Orleans specimens that are finest certified by PCGS, 1854-O and 1856-O. His Major Variety 1861-S Paquet Double Eagle is also one of the finest known, but there is one specimen that is better with a plus grade. The comparison for Double Eagles ended with the very tough 1870-CC. Hansen has a nice specimen graded XF45 and won over Eliasberg’s XF40, but there are six 1870-CC PCGS coins out there somewhere that are better. The 1870-CC may be a candidate for a future upgrade.
Eliasberg won first coin in the challenge, the 1933 Eagle. His coin is listed as a MS65. In comparison, the Hansen coin is a PCGS Genuine due to some light tooling on the cheek. I don’t think Mr. Hansen is in a hurry to replace this coin, but would not be surprise if opportunity allows that to happen in the future.
The total value for Hansen’s five coins is $2,200,000. This week’s result is 4-1-0. Hansen has now extended the lead to 6 coins overall, with only 10 coins to go.
1933 Eagle: The final year of issue for this denomination (first struck in 1795) and the only US gold coin dated 1933 which is legal to own.
Hansen Coin: 1933 Eagle PCGS N1-Damage
Eliasberg Coin: 1933 Eagle Est. MS655 POP 5/4
Eliasberg Win (0-1-0)
1854-O Double Eagle: One of two mega-rarities from this mint and a key issue in the Type One double eagle series.
Hansen Coin: 1854-O Double Eagle PCGS AU58 POP 1/0 (Finest Known, ex: Browning, Akers Plate Coin)
Eliasberg Coin: 1854-O Double Eagle est. AU55 POP 3/1 (Not included in PCGS Condition Census Report)
Hansen Won (1-1-0)
1856-O Double Eagle: The other very rare New Orleans Type One issue. Unique in Uncirculated and represented by fewer than 40 known in total.
Hansen Coin: 1856-O Double Eagle PCGS AU58+ POP 1/0 (Finest Known, Ex: Carter-AWA)
Eliasberg Coin: 1856-O Double Eagle PCGS AU58 1/1 (Second Finest Known)
Hansen Won (2-1-0)
1861-S Paquet Double Eagle: A mysterious but collectible issue with a different reverse designed by Anthony Paquet.
Hansen Coin: 1861-S Paquet Double Eagle PCGS AU58 POP 5/1,
Eliasberg Coin: 1861-S Paquet Double Eagle Est. XF40 PCGS 10/69
Hansen Won (3-1-0)
1870-CC Double Eagle: The first double eagle from this mint and the single most valuable gold coin from this mint.
Hansen Coin1870-CC Double Eagle PCGS XF45 POP 15/6
Eliasberg Coin: 1870-CC Double Eagle Est. XF40 POP 10/21
Hansen Won (4-1-0)
This week showcased two of the finest known Double eagles from the D.L. Hansen Collection of Liberty Head Double Eagles. The Eliasberg Collection did not have a finest known to show up this week, but did have a second finest 1854-O Double Eagle.
The D.L. Hansen Collection extends the lead with a three coin advantage this week. The lead over Louis Eliasberg Collection is now 20-14-6. This gives the Hansen Collection a little breathing room going into the last two weeks. There is another grouping of Double Eagles left to compare. That may not be so good for Eliasberg chances of catching up.
1883 Double Eagle: One of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
1884 Double Eagle: Two of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
1887 Double Eagle: Three of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
1907 High Relief Double Eagle: One of the most popular US gold coins and a trophy issue which appeals to numerous collectors.
1927-D Double Eagle: The rarest and most valuable regular issue 20th century US gold coin.
Hansen WOW Coins
1933 Indian Head Eagle N1 - Genuine (98 - Damage) (Gold Shield)
Certification #25538477, PCGS #8885
PCGS Price Guide Value unknown, Purchased for $300,000 in 2019
Provenance: Hallock Dupont Collection (Sotheby's 3/1983), lot 222; Morrison Family and Lawrence C. Licht Collections (Stack's, 3/2005), lot 1882, which realized $230,000; Poulos Family Collection (Heritage 8/2019, lot 3916, lot 1882, which realized $230,000, D. L. Hansen Collection
Heritage Auction’s Comments: In the absence of a Details grade from PCGS, we consider this attractive 1933 Indian eagle to have Uncirculated sharpness. The coin last appeared at auction in 2005, when it was raw. In that lot description, the Stack's cataloger noted "a profusion of tiny swirling hairlines" on Liberty's cheek. They are indeed faint, seen only with a loupe and under good lighting, but they are in fact tool marks -- the faint remnant of some individual's attempt to smooth out high-point abrasions on this coin in the distant past. Although unfortunate, this "repair" does not overly affect the eye appeal of the coin. Orange-gold luster glistens on each side, especially in the fields. The strike is sharp and the only mentionable abrasions are a few tiny ticks on the reverse eagle, which serve as pedigree markers.
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1854-O Double Eagle AU58 (Gold Shield)
Finest Certified by PCGS
Certification #81718068, PCGS #8912
PCGS Price Guide Value $750,000
Provenance: H. Jeff Browning "Dallas Bank" Collection - Sotheby's/Stack's 10/2001:10, $161,000 - D.L. Hansen Collection (Akers Plate Coin)
Doug Winter Comments: The 1854-O is, along with the 1856-O, one of the rarest Type One double eagles from the New Orleans mint. Examples are usually only sold at auctions which contain major “name” collections. Ownership of an 1854-O is regarded as a hallmark of a truly great collection of Liberty Head double eagles. This is generally a well-struck issue. On the obverse, there is sometimes weakness on the curls around the face, at the top of the head and on the curls below Liberty’s ear. The overall detail is sharper than on many Type One double eagles from this mint. The obverse stars are well-defined with some displaying full radial lines. The denticles are clear and sharp. The reverse may show weakness on the eagle’s tail feathers and on the banner. This is such a rare coin that the quality of strike is not an important factor. Collectors should be more concerned with the overall and appearance of an 1854-O which they are considering buying. Most 1854-O double eagles are well circulated and a s a result they show heavily abraded surfaces. There are some diagnostic criteria which are seen on all genuine examples and these are important to note.
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1856-O Double eagle AU58+ (Gold Shield)
Finest Certified by PCGS
Certification #81722130, PCGS #8918
PCGS Price Guide Value $600,000 plus
Provenance: Unknown
Doug Winter Comments: The 1856-O is the second rarest Type One double eagle after the 1861 Paquet, and it is the single rarest gold coin struck at the New Orleans mint. It narrowly eclipses its counterpart the 1854-O double eagle in terms of overall rarity, but it is actually slightly more available in higher grades (in this case About Uncirculated-50 and higher). The strike seen on the 1856-O is fairly similar to that seen on the 1854-O. The curls around the face are well detailed but those below the ear are weak. The hair at the top of Liberty’s head is always weak as is the bun. The central reverse is well detailed with the exception of the wing tips and tail feathers which are not fully formed. With the exception of a handful of pieces, every 1856-O is heavily abraded. These marks tend to be very deep and detracting. An example which is minimally bagmarked is extremely desirable.
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1861-S Double Eagle Paquet AU58 (Gold Shield)
Certification #81718842, PCGS #8936
PCGS Price Guide Value $225,000
Provenance: Goldbergs 6/2005:1075, $134,550 - Ohringer Family Trust Holdings - Goldbergs 9/2008:1286, $166,750 - AWA Collection - D.L. Hansen Collection
Doug Winter Comments: In 1860, Anthony C. Paquet, the mint’s assistant engraver, produced a new reverse for the double eagle. It was characterized by tall lettering and a very narrow rim. By the earliest part of 1861, it was decided that this design would not wear well, due to the narrowness of the border. A telegraph was sent to the San Francisco mint ordering a return to the old style Longacre reverse. This telegraph appears to have taken a considerable amount of time to reach the mint and by the time it had, $385,000 worth of the new reverse 1861-S double eagles had been struck and released into circulation. The 1861-S Paquet reverse double eagle was a mostly-forgotten issue until it was “rediscovered” in the 1930’s. A number were found in European holdings of United States gold coins and many were repatriated back into the American coin market. Today, this issue is rare but it is still considered an important issue within the Type One series which is collected alongside the “regular” 1861-S double eagle. This variety was clearly made to circulate and it is unquestionably a regular issue. The obverse shows a quality of strike which is not much different from that seen on the regular issue 1861-S double eagles. The hair is weak with little definition seen on the curl. The hair at the top of the head and the bow are soft. The stars some radial lines definition but they are not as sharp as on the 1861 Philadelphia double eagles. The central details on the reverse are sharp with some minor weakness noted on the horizontal stripes in the shield and on the tail feathers. Due to a lack of a broad border, the reverse may show uneven wear. On coins which grade About Uncirculated-50 and higher, the centers may appear sharp while the tops of the letters have more wear than generally seen on coins in this grade range. The surfaces are almost always heavily abraded. Ironically, the obverse tends to be more heavily abraded than the reverse; this is “ironic” as the design was changed due to supposed wear and rim problems with the reverse that would lead to extensive marks after a short stint in circulation. I have seen a few with mint-made black spots and a small number with areas of roughness in the planchet.
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1870-CC Double Eagle XF45 (Gold Shield)
Certification #81722166, PCGS #8958
PCGS Price Guide Value $325,000
Pedigree: Unknown
Ron Guth Comments: The 1870-CC $20 combines extreme rarity, the allure of gold, a large size, and the lore of the Carson City Mint in a neat, tidy, and very expensive package. At least one expert believes that the surviving population numbers only 35-45 examples, but this seems low considering that PCGS alone has certified 34 coins (as of October 2014). Add in coins certified by NGC, subtract resubmissions and crossovers, and the correct number is probably over 50 examples. Regardless, the 1870-CC $20 is under considerable pressure from collectors of the Liberty Head series, fans of the Carson City Mint, and anyone looking for a trophy coin. This date is not known for being well struck; rather, a common complaint is that some or all of the obverse stars are flat. Most of the surviving population hovers around the XF45 grade, with few examples on either side, especially the higher side. Bowers (in his 2004 book, A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins) does not mention the Mint State example that Akers' claimed he reported, but he does price an MS60 example at $600,000, suggesting that such a coin exists. The price record for this date belongs to the NGC AU55 example that sold for $414,000 in 2009.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Hansen Won (4-1-0)
I’ll wait for Ron Guth’s input
Welcome back Bruce. Nice to see you contribute. I too would like to see Ron's input. He pretty busy, but I know he will if he has time.
On another topic, Bruce have you seen the '63 LS Dollar in the Pogue sale? Just curious if you have an opinion. The toning looks similar to your former '62. I wonder if they were from the same old time cabinet.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
IIRC, Andre Dawson. Have not seen it in person
Prior to that, it was in the jascha heifetz sale where it said the consignor owned it for 36 years after purchasing it from the 1953 gugenheim sale. The 1862 was not part of that Heifetz sale so if they were stored together it was prior to 1953.
Here are my comments on the Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part VIII
1933 $10
Eliasberg is the clear winner
1854-O $20
I can't find a "modern" grade on the Eliasberg example, but if I had to choose a winner based on image comparisons, I'd give this one to Hansen.
1856-O $20
This could be a close one. Perhaps Doug Winter can provide information on the Eliasberg PCGS AU58 and confirm that the grade is correct. Even if it is, Hansen wins by half a point.
1861-S $20 Paquet
I could not find a "modern" grade on this one either, but I would put Hansen as the clear winner.
1870-CC $20
This is an easy one - the Hansen and Eliasberg examples are one and the same.
Ron Guth, Chief Investigator
The Numismatic Detective Agency
Now, we've clearly moved past the 1875 $10, but I had a few comments and a short story to write about the search for the coin. While it's not as scholarly as much of the writing here, I figured it was worth passing along to those who may enjoy a lighter side of the Hansen search for the coin...
https://blog.davidlawrence.com/dlrc-and-the-1875-10/
President of David Lawrence Rare Coins www.davidlawrence.com
email: John@davidlawrence.com
2022 ANA Dealer of the Year, Past Chair of NCBA (formerly ICTA), PNG Treasurer, Instructor at Witter Coin University, former Instructor/YN Chaperone ANA Summer Seminar, Coin World Most Influential, Curator of the D.L. Hansen Collection
Wow! that was a great article! a lot of information in a short article. Thanks for sharing with us! I think the info about the Tyrant holdings blew my mind!
Great story!
Latin American Collection
Hansen clearly has a better collection than Eliasberg did.
Of what? Circulation strike US coins? Yes. Overall US coins? Maybe. Overall US coins including patterns, medals and numisma? No. The latter plus world coins? No, not even close
So you’d best define what you’re asserting or you might be completely incorrect.
And JB’s gold expert is Paul Nugget. If I had a gold expert that’s the name I would want for him
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
They are not an exact match. It would be really nice to see what they look like side by side.
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1862 Hansen-Morelan-Share MS65, CAC Approve , CERTIFICATION #21572854, PCGS #6952
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1863 Pogue-Dawson-Gugenheim MS67, CERTIFICATION #38634068, PCGS #6953
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Does Hansen buy the wonderful 54-S $5 in 58+?
Latin American Collection
Interesting to read the Stack's auction description of the coin. Part of it states "when those greatest cabinets are discussed, none surpasses Eliasberg for completeness and, particularly for the gold portion of the cabinet, for quality. This coin represents the Platonic ideal of the Eliasberg gold collection: the presence of a legendary rarity rather than excuses for its absence...."
When I read this I felt it was directed specifically at Mr. Hansen. I wonder if others had the same thought.
For sure!
Latin American Collection
In case anyone wanted to see the beauty they're referring to: https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-LYD1G/1854-s-liberty-head-half-eagle-au-58-pcgs-cac
It's interesting to note that Eliasberg collected from 1925 until 1976 while Hansen has just started.
I like the Pogue coin a lot and posted it in the following thread. It will be great to see which Pogue coins Hansen is interested in.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1032544/the-coins-and-medals-pogue-kept-for-himself
Thanks for your input Ron. Always glad to see you post.
From a simple win-loss perspective, the winners are the same as what @Currin posted aside from the last coin which is the same coin.
New Capped Bust Dime
I know it is still early 2020, but already we have seen a few exciting and amazing additions to the D.L. Hansen Collection. This addition may not be as extraordinary as the recent 1875 Eagle, but it is a major coin. This is not a coin that Mr. Hansen has been seeking, as we read with the eagle. This coin falls into the category that JB calls, “everyone once in a while an interesting coin pops up”. This new Capped Bust Dime is a PCGS confirmed and certified proof that is added to Capped Bust Dimes, Proof (1820-1837) set. The set includes an 1821, 1827, 1831, and 1835 specimen (25% Complete). Although, this set requires only 16 coins, and Mr. Hansen understands the set may never be completed, but “it’s still fun to add a piece when you can”. How difficult is this set? PCGS describes as: What is the largest mintage of any coin in this set? Believe it or not, it's 20 coins! Some of the dates have never been certified by PCGS in any grade (such as 1820 and 1836) and every date is (obviously!) a great rarity in the Proof format. A few spectacular examples survive, though, such as the 1834 in PR67 from the King of Siam set and a few others. Since the writing of this PCGS introduction to the set, a specimen for the 1820 has been certified by PCSG in a crossover from NGC. Presently, the coin is in the #1 registry Capped Bust Collection.
In the PCGS registry, there are only three active collectors: Dr. Link, Coinbert, and Mr. Hansen. Naturally, Dr. Link has the most advance Capped Bust set. By far, he is the most advance collector in the Capped Bust series. His collection has amazing specimens representing both finishes. For Hansen, let’s watch and see if any additional coins from the series “pops up” in the future.
1821 Capped Bust Dime PR66, Finest Proof 1821 Dime
This is a PCGS POP 1/0 specimen with CAC Approval. Expert Ron Guth described the coin as: Breen (1989) listed Proof examples of JR-7 and JR-9, however Davis et al (1984) were only able to confirm the existence of Proof examples of JR-9. Eliasberg had an 1821 JR-7 that was subsequently graded NGC PR62. Another 1821 JR-7 appeared in the 2008 Superior sale of the Turtle Rock Collection as an NGC PR65. We know of four different examples of Proof JR-9, including one in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. The finest Proof 1821 Dime is the PCGS PR66 last sold by Heritage in April 2015.
Just to give you a taste for the difficulty of the series. A Capped Bust expert shared this information on the pre and post dates for this series. The large size dimes are tough. The Greensboro 1820 NGC PR66 Cam (now PCGS PR66+ CAC) is likely unique. There may be two 1822 proof dimes, the Quint 1822 PR66+ CAM CAC and a PR63. This indicates to me that only one or two (maybe three) collectors can be serious about this series in the same time period. As for the 1821 proof dime, there may be four known specimens, with one locked in a vault at the Smithsonian.
Heritage’s April 2015 Auction is the last public sale for the Hansen specimen, but has not been the only. The first known auction appearance dates to the Stack's Empire Auction on 11/1957. (This is a very special month and year for me). It appeared again in a Stack’s Sale on 10/1992. The Heritage 2015 sale gives no indication of consignor. I have been told this coin was once in the David Quint Collection of Early Dimes, as the 1822 PR66+ reference above. That must have an amazing set. At some point, I may research and see if I can find more out about the collection. The Hansen coin holds the auction record from 2015 sale where it realized $96,000. The Eliasberg coin sold in Heritage January 2019 sale where it realized $78,000 in a NGC PR65 holder. CoinFacts gives the mintage to be five coins for the 1821. They place the Survival Estimate at three. From my research and input from others, I think there may be at least four that be confirmed. It is still a pretty low population and Numismatic Rarity is 9.8 for all grades.
I stated before that there may be only four true 1821 Capped Bust Dimes. The following roster is based on information given in Heritage’s 2019 auction description.
1) Hansen Specimen - PR66 PCGS. CAC. JR-9. Empire Sale (Stack's, 11/1957), lot 750; Floyd T. Starr (Stack's, 10/1992), lot 352; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2015), lot 4986.
2) Link Specimen - PR65 PCGS. JR-9. Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection (Bowers and Merena, 5/1996), lot 1068; Bowers and Merena (4/2005), lot 399.
3) Unknown Owner - Choice Proof. JR-9. Harold P. Newlin; T. Harrison Garrett; Garrett Collection; Johns Hopkins University (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1980), lot 1585.
4) Mint Collection. Proof - National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution
Other Proof appearances that may be Proof Like Specimen
PR65 NGC. JR-7. Turtle Rock Collection (Superior, 2/2008), lot 489.
Choice Proof. JR-9. Bowers and Ruddy (privately, 2/1976); Stack's (privately, 7/1984); Allen F. Lovejoy (Stack's, 10/1990), lot 59; Stack's (10/1997), lot 451.
Choice Proof. JR-7. Barney Bluestone (6/25/1946); Floyd T. Starr (Stack's, 10/1992), lot 351.
PR62 NGC. JR-7. Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection (Bowers and Merena, 5/1996), lot 1067; Long Beach Connoisseur Collection (Bowers and Merena, 8/1999), lot 90.
The coin was acquired by David Lawrence Rare Coins from another dealer. I do not know the dealer it was acquired from, but I do know that Legend Numismatics had the coin listed in their inventory for $110,000 for some time. Heritage (2015) describe the coin as: The Premium Gem offered here is exquisite, with fully mirrored fields and sharply detailed, lustrous devices that impart slight contrast. The pristine champagne surfaces have deeper gold and iridescent splashes on both sides. Both sides exhibit crisp junctions between the fields and devices. An exceptional example for the connoisseur of our early silver coinage. An Capped Bust expert that has actual examined the coin added these identification comments: Through one of the stars on the right, the coin either has a small stick through area or a small scratch. Some difficulty in deciding if the abnormality is mint made or post mint damage. I think the latter is more likely, but an overall minor issue on a terrific coin.
There is so much more that can be said here, but due to space, I will not get into the two varieties, the JR-7 Large Date and the JR-9 Small Date. I am not confident the JR-7 Large Date variety is confirmed in proof. In closing, it would be nice to see more additions to this set. Previous to this week, the last addition to this small set was 2/5/2019. Due to set rarity, and not being a focus for the collection, I would not be surprised that we don’t see another phenomenal Capped Bus Dime addition in 2020.
1821 Capped Bust Dime PR66, CAC Approved
Certification #25247126, PCGS #4539, POP 1/0
PCGS Price Guide Value: $100,000 / Purchase Price Unknown
Provenance: Stack's “Empire Sale” 11/1957:750 - Floyd T. Starr Collection - Stack's 10/1992:352 - Heritage 4/2015:4986, $94,000 – D.L Hansen Collection purchase from DLRC
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Thanks Ron!
Yes, the total results is changed only slightly. The new total is 19-14-7 in favor of the D.L. Hansen Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part IX
This will be the next to last update for this challenge. I presented this series of postings as a competition, but the real purpose was to see and learn about some amazing coins in the D.L. Hansen Collection. The competition format was for fun purposes only. There will be no trophies or ribbons handed out. If you have become so hung up in the grading and comparisons, and missed the coins being presented, then that is a shame. So without further ado, what are the results of this week?
This week is basically two parts. The first part is the Double Eagle Proofs Only for dates, 1883, 1884, and 1887. I have always known that Louis Eliasberg had an amazing collection of gold. This is especially true with Double Eagle Proofs. PCGS wrote this about Eliasberg and his Proof Double Eagles: Between 1925 and 1950, Baltimore banker Louis Eliasberg built the only "complete" collection of U.S. coins in numismatic history. His gold coins were sold at auction in 1982. His proof $20 Liberty Set was spectacular. Some of his coins have been subsequently graded by PCGS and some have not. We have registered his entire set using the PCGS experts' grade estimate for those issue that haven't been graded by PCGS. Also note that when Louis Eliasberg was active, many collectors combined circulation strikes and proofs, so his proof $20 Liberty Set is not actually complete by today's standard. Somewhat unique, PCGS individually graded his non-PCGS graded Double Eagles. Without representing the grades are prefect and completely comparable, I will say they may be more accurate than the grades in the 1982 auction catalog. With that stated, Mr. Hansen results were better than I had predicted, Hansen 2-0-1.
The second part of the challenge compares two St. Gaudens. The first coin is the 1907 High Relief Double Eagle. I considered both the Flat Edge type and the Wire Edge type in the completion and awarded the winner the best coin of the four. For the Flat Edge type, both great collections had MS66 specimens. For the Wire Edge type, the Eliasberg Collection listed as amazing MS68 which is a much finer than the Hansen Collection, MS66. The second coin is the true rarity of the 1927-D. Mr. Hansen has a choice MS63 while Mr. Eliasberg had a remarkable gem ms66. The Eliasberg Collection won both the St. Gaudens coins.
The total value for Hansen’s five coins is $2,405,000. This week’s result is 2-2-1. Hansen is still holding on to a 5 coin lead overall. Eliasberg can tie the challenge with a 5 coin sweep in the final week. It is very possible that could happen.
1883 Double Eagle: One of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
Hansen Coin: 1883 Double Eagle PCGS PR66 DCAM POP 3/1
Eliasberg Coin: 1883 Double Eagle Est. PR65 CAM
Hansen Win (1-0-0)
1884 Double Eagle: Two of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
Hansen Coin: 1884 Double Eagle PR65 DCAM POP 1/1
Eliasberg Coin: 1884 Double Eagle est. PR65 CAM
Tie (1-0-1) Note: Hansen has a little better coin with a DCAM vs CAM
1887 Double Eagle: Three of three very rare low mintage double eagles, each struck only in a Proof format.
Hansen Coin: 1887 Double Eagle PCGS PR64+ DCAM POP 2/4
Eliasberg Coin: 1887 Double Eagle PCGS PR64 CAM POP 1/8
Hansen Won (2-0-1)
1907 High Relief Double Eagle: One of the most popular US gold coins and a trophy issue which appeals to numerous collectors.
Hansen Coin: 1907 High Relief - Flat Edge Double Eagle PCGS MS66 POP 54/15
Eliasberg Coin: 1907 High Relief - Flat Edge Double Eagle Est. MS66 POP 54/15
Hansen Coin: 1907 High Relief - Wire Edge Double Eagle PCGS MS66 POP 80/28
Eliasberg Coin: 1907 High Relief - Wire Edge Double Eagle Est. MS68 POP 2/1
Eliasberg Won (2-1-1)
1927-D Double Eagle: The rarest and most valuable regular issue 20th century US gold coin.
Hansen Coin: 1927-D Double Eagle PCGS MS63 POP 1/8
Eliasberg Coin: 1927-D Double Eagle Est. PCGS MS66 POP 5/1
Hansen Won (2-2-1)
This week showcased some very nice Proof Liberty Head Double Eagles. Hansen’s proofs were just a little better that Eliasberg in all three coins, but I generously gave Eliasberg a tie on one. For the two coins compared for the $20 St. Gaudens, both coins obviously went to Eliasberg. The week end up in tie, but Hansen maintains his five coin lead going into the final week. This is certainly a good place to be for Mr. Hansen, because I don’t see next week going so well.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars: Massive in size and with lovely, novel designs, this commemorative gold pieces epitomize the Wow Factor.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars: Massive in size and with lovely, novel designs, this two commemorative gold pieces epitomize the Wow Factor.
1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type: My favorite design of any Territorial gold issue with a Vaquero astride a horse on the obverse.
1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug: To me, this is the coin that epitomizes the Wild West. Huge in size and curious in shape, an issue which appeals to a host of collectors.
1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type: The charming Pikes Peak design, struck for use in Denver and the Colorado Territory.
Hansen WOW Coins
1883 Double Eagle PCGS PR6 6DCAM POP 3/1
Certification #81721518, PCGS #99099
PCGS Price Guide Value $500,000, Purchased for unknown
Provenance: Unknown
Expert Scott Rubin: The 1883 Proof Double Eagle is one of the rarest coins in the Liberty Head Double Eagle Series. With only twenty of the reported ninety-two struck coins known to exist today, this is a very desirable coin. No circulation issue Double Eagles were issued by the Philadelphia Mint in 1883. The earliest auction sale of an 1883 Double Eagle of which I am aware took place in January of 1884 in W. Elliot Woodward’s 62nd Sale of the Heman Ely Collection. The coin was included as part of a complete set of Proof Gold coinage of 1883. It appears that the appeal of a Proof-only strike of the 1883 Double Eagle may have enticed some of the collectors and coin dealers of the day to purchase a few for future sale. This is evidenced in the 1885 sales of possibly four 1883 Proof Double Eagles in two Woodward Sales of the J. Colvin Randall Collection. Each of these sales of the collector/dealer Randall’s coins each contained an 1883 Gold Proof Set and a single 1883 Proof Double Eagle. The point of interest may also be the price realized for the two single coins: the first realized $21.50 and the second realized $21.00, showing that there was no great demand for these coins soon after their issue. Some eighteen years after their issue a sale of a single 1883 Double Eagle Proof coin by Ed. Frossard in May of 1901 only realized $22.00.
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1884 Double Eagle PR65 DCAM POP 1/1
Certification #81721521, PCGS #99100
PCGS Price Guide Value $265,000, Purchased for unknown
Provenance: Unknown
Expert David Akers: Comments: For many years, the 1884 took second billing to the 1883 as a rarity but it is now firmly established that the 1884 is the rarer of the two proof-only issues. As a date, the 1884 is the second rarest in the entire Liberty Head Double Eagle series after the excessively rare 1961 Paquet. All of the dates prior to 1881 are more rare in proof than the 1884 but, of course, they are available as business strikes while the 1884 is not. All 1884 Double Eagles that I have seen have an unusual surface texture or color discontinuity in the throat area. This is in the die and does not constitute a defect.
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1887 Double Eagle PCGS PR64+ DCAM POP 2/4
Certification #81721528, PCGS #99103
PCGS Price Guide Value $165,000, Purchased for unknown
Provenance: Unknown
Expert P. Scott Rubin Comments: The 1887 Double Eagle was only issued in Proof. The United States Mint at Philadelphia reported striking 121 1887 Proof Double Eagles and no coins for general circulation. This was the last of a seven year run of low-mintage Double Eagles issued by the Philadelphia Mint. In three of the years from 1881 to 1887, the Philadelphia Mint issuance of Double Eagles consisted only of Proofs in 1883, 1884 and 1887. Both Proof and circulation strike Double Eagles were issued in 1881, 1882, 1885 and 1886. The 121 Proof Double Eagles reported in 1887 was a larger-than-average mintage for the era. It is likely that not all of these coins were sold and some may have been melted at the end of the year or early the following year. Today only about thirty 1887 Proof Double Eagles are believed to have survived. In 1887, few people collected Double Eagles. The coins were expensive to own and they were not worth much in the secondary market. The few individuals who did collect these large denomination coins would, in most cases, not have cared which Mint issued the coin. The 1887-S Double Eagle was the most plentiful of the year, this collectors had no need to pay a premium for a Proof coin from the Philadelphia Mint.
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1907 High Relief - Flat Edge Double Eagle PCGS MS66 POP 54/15
Certification #80823820, PCGS #9136
PCGS Price Guide Value $75,000, Last sold stacks Bowers 2016 realized $67,562.50
Provenance Unknown
Expert David Akers Comments: The 1907 High Relief with the Flat Rim is not especially rare, but it is considerably more rare than the Wire Rim variety, at least two to three times as rare, in fact. Because of the beauty of the design and the fact that it represented the first significant design change in the 58 year history of the Double Eagle series, High Reliefs were saved in quantity and preserved with great care. As a result, many Flat Rim High Reliefs exist and a substantial portion of them are in choice or gem uncirculated condition. This issue is high priced but not rare; its history, beauty and low mintage have made it one of the most popular U.S. gold coins and this popularity, rather than any inherent rarity, has brought about the High Relief's comparatively high price. Some Wire Rim coins, especially circulated ones, have much, if not most, of their wire rim missing and so it is sometimes difficult to tell whether a particular coin is a Wire Rim or a Flat Rim merely by looking at the rim. However, since the varieties resulted from the use of collars, they are also distinguishable by looking at the lettered edge. On the Flat Rim variety there is a number of raised lines on the edge running parallel to the rim. These are absent on the Wire Rim variety.
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1927-D Double Eagle PCGS MS635 POP 1/8
Certification #28773047, PCGS #9187
PCGS Price Guide Value $1,400.000
Pedigree: Stack's 10/1981:1252 - Bowers & Merena 10/1987:2201, $242,000 - Charles Kramer Collection - Stack's/Superior 11/1988:913, $187,000 - Superior 2/1992:3339, not sold - Superior 1/1993:1595, $137,500 - Richmond Collection - David Lawrence 7/2004:2431, $575,000 - Park Avenue Registry Set - Donald E. Bently Collection - Heritage 3/2014:2431, $1,292,500 - D.L. Hansen Collection
Expert David Akers Comments: When all grades are considered, the 1927-D is the rarest collectible, regular issue Saint-Gaudens double eagle by far. Futhermore, it is also the rarest 20th-century gold coin of any denomination. (Of course, the 1933 double eagle is more rare but it is not collectible in the sense that it cannot presently be legally held, and although the 1907 Extremely High Relief is of virtually identical rarity to the 1927-D, technically it is a pattern and not a regular issue.) Estimates of the number of examples known of the 1927-D generally have been in the six to eight pieces, but I have personally examined 11 specimens that I know for certain to be different. I estimate that at least a dozen are known, perhaps as many as 15. The majority are MS-63 or better and several are solid gems. The Eliasberg coin now owned by a prominent Eastern collector is a high end MS-65, and the Dr. Steven Duckor example which he purchased from Auction '84 and the Browning specimen are both full MS-65. The three examples in the Smithsonian Institution are all MS-63 to MS-64 as is the coin from Stack's October 1985 sale that was purchased by MTB for a client. It is difficult to pick out one piece as the "finest" but that accolade most likely should go to the Elaiasberg specimen. In the 1940's, when many great collections were sold (J.F. Bell, Flanagan, WGC, Atwater etc.), the 1927-D was considered to be rare but it was not held in the same high regard as the 1924-S and 1926-D which were considered to be the two rarest dates in the series, nor was it thought to be as rare as the 1926-S, 1927-S, or 1931-D. However, since the early 1950's additional specimens of all others have turned up but, to the best of my knowledge, no "new" 1927-D Double Eagles have been discovered during that time. The mintage of the 1927-D is low by late date standards but a number of different sets of dies were used to strike the 180,000 coins. Most, but not all, existing specimens were struck from the same pair of dies with the following characteristics. Obverse: Thin hairline die crack from star to star at the top of the L in LIBERTY. Another thin die crack running from the base of the L to the torch. Reverse: Thin vertical die scratch through the eagle's beak. A 1927-D with these characteristics is undoubtedly genuine. However, a specimen without these characteristics is not necessarily a fake because it may have been struck from one of the other pairs of dies used. The 1927-D is always well struck, except that the stars in the lower left quadrant are normally flat. The surfaces are always frosty, and the color and lustre are very good to excellent. All specimens that I have seen have similar color, a light medium orange and greenish gold. Not surprisingly, a nice 1927-D (and most of them are nice) looks very much like a nice 1923-D or 1924-D.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
1861-S Paquet
In a letter dated January 5th James Ross Snowden Director of the Mint wrote to Charles H Hempstead Superintendent of the SFBM
the following
In preparing the new dies for 1861,
a slight deviation in the diameter
of the double eagle was inadvertently made. As it is highly important that a proper uniformity
of size should be maintained. I have
to request that you will use the old
reverses of the double eagle dies
and not the new ones. If you require
any additional reverses they will
be forwarded on your requisition
The message was not delivered until
Feb 2
Meanwhile in SF
On January 16th the SFBM Coiner
delivered 5,000 Double Eagles
By the end of the month the total number was 17,250 pieces.
On February 2nd the date the message was received 3,000 additional DE ‘s were delivered
Hempstead wrote back to Snowden
and told him $385,000 DE (Paquet
reverse) had been coined or (19,250
pieces)
Thus it is possible both Paquet and old reverse DE’s were delivered at the SFBM on that day
I did not see any mass melting of these pieces
On August 9th Donahue, Ralston
& Co. deposited for melting
31.13 ozs of Double Eagles
While it is quite possible that these coins bore the Paquet Reverse the number is too small to have had any impact on the survival rate of these coins
The Bottle Cap Collection
For everyone that has been watching D.L Hansen the last couple years, you should agree the collection is massive. I would personally estimate the collection to be 15,000 PCGS Certified Coins give or take a couple thousand. The collection is centered on his quest to complete as many as possible for the US standard issues. In addition to that mission, he has a nice start to the proofs, major variances, moderns, bullion, commemoratives, and much more. Fall (2018) he went on a cleanup mission, and it appear he is still on the mission. I see his focus as:
1) collecting the final handful of coins needed to complete the PCGS HOF Basic set,
2) upgrading the basic set, and
3) adding to his number #2 sets. I feel the #2 sets have a purpose, but I am not sure I know what that is.
After viewing the last several months, it appears to me the team is razor focus on these three priorities.
The collection is not only large in number, but has big boy coins. The gold series that I have been posting the last several weeks will testify to that. The past couple years, he has purchased several record rarities. In 2019, he purchased the #1 highest selling coin in the US, when the 1885 Trade Dollar realized $3,969,000. He had the #2 honor in 2018 with the 1804 Mickey-Hawn Dollar at $2,640,000. His collection has grown to over 1000 PCGS sets, and hundreds of millions of dollars.
So, with priorities as they are, then how come 19 Large Cents Newcomb Die Variety Specimens are added? The last that I discussed Newcomb Die Variety Sets was October 2018. The two date runs create a massive collection of Large Cents. As D.L. Hansen’s Collection stands today:
Large Cents Die Variety Set by Newcomb, CS (1816-1839) Requires 244 and have 176 (72%) (53% in 2018)
Large Cents Die Variety Set by Newcomb, CS (1839-1857) Requires 373 and have 309 (83%) (73% in 2018)
As you can see, 1816 – 1857, there are 617 coins required and the Hansen Collection has 485 presently. Building variety sets really expands the focus and the coin count in the Hansen Collection. So why?
I think many people view Mr. Hansen as a billionaire collector that collects coins and store them in his vault. That is a true statement for sure, but also he is a typically collector like many of us that simply enjoy collecting and especially the thrill of making a find. I would think the purchase of a four million coin can be a thrill, but it appear he also enjoys buying the “rather inexpensive” large cents in what I call his bottle cap collection. I asked John Brush what was the deal. As much work that required to maintain the basic objectives of the collection, why spend time on Newcomb Die Variety purchases? He relied: That’s a set DLH has been working on for long time… just a small project which he enjoys filling holes. Does that not sound like you and me?
• 1817 13 Stars Newcomb -1 AU50BN POP 3/2
• 1817 13 Stars Newcomb -2 AU58BN POP 1/8
• 1817 13 Stars Newcomb -4 AU53BN POP 1/3
• 1817 13 Stars Newcomb -5 MS63BN POP 2/
• 1819 Small Date Newcomb -6 MS62BN POP 2/3
• 1820/19 Newcomb -2 AU58BN POP 3/6
• 1820 Large Date Newcomb -12 MS64BN POP 1/4
• 1825 Newcomb -6 AU58BN POP 3/7
• 1826 Newcomb -6 AU58+ BN POP 1/9
• 1827 Newcomb -3 AU58BN POP 1/5
• 1829 Medium Letters Newcomb -VF30BN POP 1/4
• 1830 Large Letters Newcomb -5 MS63BN POP 1/1
• 1831 Large Letters Newcomb -9 MS62BN POP 3/1
• 1833 Newcomb -1 MS62BN POP 2/2
• 1834 Large 8 Sm St ML Newcomb -4 MS62BN POP 1/7
• 1836 Newcomb -1 AU58BN POP 1 2
• 1836 Newcomb -2 MS62BN POP 3/6
• 1838 Newcomb -3 MS62BN POP 2/7
• 1838 Newcomb -12 MS63BN POP 1/6
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https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-cents/large-cents-specialty-sets/large-cents-die-variety-set-by-newcomb-circulation-strikes-1816-1839/alltimeset/150803
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1817 1C Newcomb 5, BN MS63BN Certification #81396779, PCGS #36562
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1830 1C Newcomb-5 Large Letters, BN MS63BN Certification #05937701, PCGS #36949
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1838 1C Newcomb 3, BN MS62BN Certification #38046739, PCGS #37186
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
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I agree that die variety (major and minor varieties) could be considered as a completion of a collection. They are different coins from unique dies. I don’t feel that I can agree with the notion that every die state is needed. These coins are the same coin from the same dies, just a different life cycle of the dies.
Assembling a complete collection of die variety (major and minor varieties) would be mind blowing. For the gold series, think of the number of coins required. It is interesting to ponder the possibility.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
D. L. Hansen Buffalo Nickel Update
Almost a year has passed from this last update on Buffalo Nickels. I call this set a work in progress, with slow going. As I wrote a year ago, the #1 Registry Buffalo Nickel Set is the HOF Forsythe Set. The set is a long standing set that has maintained the award of the best of the registry since 2005. The set received its HOF status in 2005. It will be difficult, really impossible for Hansen to overcome this set. To make matters even grimmer, JDG Trust Collection has an amazing set of Buffalos that is rank #2.
In the Buffalo collection, Mr. Hansen upgrades coins when they become available. The Buffalo Nickel set is obviously a series that he is not very aggressive. I am sure weighing the competition is a leading reason. In the first upgrades for 2020, he replaced three coins. They were 1925-S MS65 POP 33/3, 1931-S MS67 POP 13/0, and the best for last, amazing 1917 MS68 POP 4/0. This is a set that really all Mr. Hansen can hope to do is chip away when better coins come available. He replaced nine coins in 2019 and three so far in 2020. With eleven of the PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens are tied up in the top two sets, the expectations should not be set but so high. As I stated last year, to overcome the #2 set may also be an impossible challenge.
1917 Buffalo Nickel, MS68 (Gold Shield)
Certification #38969830, PCGS #3934, POP 4/0
PCGS Price Guide Value: $40,000
Expert David Hall comments: In circulated grades, the 1917 is about equal in rarity to the 1915, 1916, and 1918. In Gem condition, the 1917 is about equal in rarity to the 1914, and it is rarer than the 1915, 1916, and 1919, but not as rare as the 1918. As a group, the 1914 to 1919 Philadelphia Mint issues are not quite as rare in Gem condition as the 1920 to 1924 issues, then beginning in 1925 many more examples were saved (thank you, Wayte Raymond!) The 1917, like most Philadelphia Buffalo nickels, is usually very well struck. Luster can be somewhat satiny to somewhat frosty.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Great post @Currin. You got me to look up the status of the Buffalo Registry Sets.
I wonder why Hansen didn't win a gold award in 2019 since it looks like none were award that year, just 2 platinums.
Even if what looks like maybe a toning line isn't a scratch across the obv. That precludes a 68 grade to me.
It would be great to know what the graders thought since multiple people looked at it.
There is no way that was a serious comment! Maybe if he/she hadn't added "... and die state"...
Smitten with DBLCs.
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Just to add a little perspective to attempting a collection of this size and scope, this was found in the book authored by J. W. Dannreuther:
Collecting any series, especially early gold coins, by variety and die state, as previously noted, is difficult. Harry W. Bass, Jr, collected all the gold coins from 1795 to 1834 by this method. Thus, he obtained all 29 quarter eagles, 133 of the 143 half eagles, and 32 of the 33 eagles. He also had different die states for many of the issues...... The number of die states for these 205 coins is unknown, but it likely approaches 1,000. (page 24)
HWB,jr came up 11 coins short of the 205. I believe at lease two new varieties have been discovered since the book was published. Without digging deeper and just by memory, I know there are at least two halve eagles not collectible due to only known unique specimens are in the Smithsonian. It is still interesting to ponder someone attempting to collect all series by major and minor variety.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part X
This week is the completion of a ten week series showcasing some of the finest known gold coins. I used a coin listing from a blog authored by Doug Winters on his website. I have enjoyed researching and providing a weekly update. I hope you enjoyed watching along. Next week I will post a conclusion and give more information into some of my final thoughts and details.
Again this week, the five coins are group in basically two parts. The first part features the two Fifty Dollar gold coins commemorating the Panama-Pacific Exposition. To make the comparisons simple, both the Hansen Specimens and Eliasberg Specimens are certified by PCGS. For the round type specimen, Hansen’s has a MS64 compared to Eliasberg’s MS63. Both Collections have the Octagon Specimen graded MS63. The results favor Hansen (1-0-1).
The last three coins are representatives of Pioneer Gold. I reference the 1996 Auction Catalog produced by Bowers and Merena for the sale of Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection. The sale featured a very nice grouping of “Private and Territorial Gold Coins”. The introduction stated that: Although pioneer and territorial gold coins were not the mainstream of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.’s interest, nor were the necessary to the completion of his federal series, over the years he acquired a beautiful representative cabinet of the series”. The sale featured 56 lots from this series. At this point, the D. L. Collection has not actively acquired very many coins in the series. John Brush stated: Dell Loy's focus is slightly different than Eliasberg as it is simply attempting to collect an example of everything that was a regular issue US coin. The territorials are not something that he's ever had interest in overall. The Eliasberg wins all three of the pioneer and territorial gold coins in the challenge.
The total value for Hansen’s two coins is $212,000. This week’s result is 1-3-1. The end result of this challenge was Hansen 22-19-9. It is safe to say that both collections produced some really amazing coins.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars: Massive in size and with lovely, novel designs, this commemorative gold pieces epitomize the Wow Factor.
Hansen Coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars PCGS MS64 POP 98/46
Eliasberg Coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars PCGS MS3 POP 119/147
Hansen Win (1-0-0)
1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars: Massive in size and with lovely, novel designs, this two commemorative gold pieces epitomize the Wow Factor.
Hansen Coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars PCGS MS63 POP 168/178
Eliasberg Coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars PCGS MS63 POP 168/178
Tie (1-0-1)
1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type: My favorite design of any Territorial gold issue with a Vaquero astride a horse on the obverse.
Hansen Coin: 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type PCGS est. AU55
Eliasberg Won (corr) (1-1-1)
1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug: To me, this is the coin that epitomizes the Wild West. Huge in size and curious in shape, an issue which appeals to a host of collectors.
Hansen Coin: 1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug Est. EF40
Eliasberg Won (2-1-1)
1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type: The charming Pikes Peak design, struck for use in Denver and the Colorado Territory.
Hansen Coin: 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type – No specimen in D. L. Hansen Collection
Eliasberg Coin: 1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type Est. AU50
Eliasberg Won (corr) (3-1-1)
Hansen WOW Coins
1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars (Gold Shield)
Certification #34703429, PCGS #7451, CAC Approved
PCGS Price Guide Value $125,000, Purchased for unknown
Provenance: Unknown
Expert Ron Guth Comments: In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-Pacific Exposition to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal. To commemorate the event, the United States mint struck a variety of coins in silver and gold, including a Half Dollar, Gold Dollar, $2-1/2 Gold, $50 Gold Octagonal, and $50 Gold Round. The coins were sold at the Exposition individually or in a variety of combinations and/or sets. Apart from Patterns and semi-official Territorial gold coins, the United States had never issued a $50 gold piece. Not sure of how many they could sell, Mint officials struck 1,509 Octagonal and 1,510 Round versions. Because of the high cost of the coins and the sets, very few coins actually sold. Of the 1,510 $50 Rounds, 10 were set aside for assay purposes, 483 were sold to the public, and the remaining 1,017 coins were destroyed. The Panama-Pacific $50 Round ranks as one of the great numismatic rarities of the Twentieth Century.
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1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars (Gold Shield)
Certification #36175913, PCGS #7452
PCGS Price Guide Value $87,500, Purchased for unknown
Provenance: Unknown
Expert Ron Guth Comments: In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-Pacific Exposition, a massive celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal. To record the event, the U.S. Mint produced a variety of commemorative coins, including a Half Dollar, a Gold Dollar, a Quarter Eagle, and two versions of a $50 gold piece (one round and one octagonal). Attendees at the Exposition could purchase the coins singly or in a variety of combinations. The most extreme combination was a double set (two of each coin) housed in a specially made copper and glass frame. Because of the high face value of the $50 coins, sales failed to meet expectations, resulting in hundreds of unsold coins. These were eventually melted down, resulting in a net mintage figure of only 645 pieces. The $50 Panama-Pacific gold coins are massive, heavy coins made of a relatively soft metal. As a result, the coins are susceptible to wear and damage, making it difficult to find exceptional examples. The vast majority of survivors are Mint State, usually in MS63. Gems are very rare, and the best examples top out at MS66.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Eliasberg’s pioneer gold was woefully under graded in the auction catalog (by today’s standards). I own his Miner’s Bank $10, for example. It was listed as EF40, now resides in a P58 CAC holder. This will make comparisons like this very difficult.
In the comparison above, it happens to be easy to compare because Hansen doesn’t have the mentioned territorial coins yet
But I agree straight grade comparison can be challenging if the grades are from different time periods. It would be best to have grades from the same time period, whether TPGs or other expert options who have seen the coins.
Yeah, and with Territorial you can sometimes track down the coin, because there are only a handful in high grade. With enough looking we might be able to create a fair comparison if we can find the current grade of the Eliasberg coin.
I like how Hansen continues to win without even owning specimens....
@tradedollarnut makes a good point.
@Currin Why did Hansen win the two above if he doesn't have specimens?
This thread is too dense to go back and look... Which specimen coins are you referencing?
I think it was just an oversight in not updating the individual coin results. The total result was mentioned earlier in the post.
“ The total value for Hansen’s two coins is $212,000. This week’s result is 1-3-1.”
Results this week. Hansen won - 1, Eliasberg won - 3, Tie - 1..... for 1-3-1 as 10000lakes posted.
Glad to see he could follow the posting even being a little confusing.. good job
1915-S Panama-Pacific Round Fifty Dollars - Hansen Won
1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal Fifty Dollars - Tie
1850 Baldwin Ten Dollar “Horseman” Type - Eliasberg Won
1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar Slug - Eliasberg Won
1860 Clark Gruber Ten Dollar “Mountain” Type - Eliasberg Won
Eliasberg Won (3-1-1) for week 10.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
This is what I wrote June 23, 2018....
COUNTDOWN 33
1849-O 25C G6
This is a not an impressive addition. This must definitely be a hole filler. The New Orleans 1849 quarter is tough date, but to settle for a G6 is surprising. In comparison, Eliasberg specimen was a MS62. There is not much else to say about this coin. I hope John can drop in a give us some insight on how this ended up in the collection.
Ron Guth CoinFacts comments on the 1849-O 25C:
In a survey of the members of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, published in the March 2008 issue of the Gobrecht Journal, the 1849-O Quarter Dollar was ranked third among the Ten Greatest New Orleans Seated Coins: "This is one of the key dates in the Seated quarter series with an estimated mintage of only 16,000 pieces. Most of the available coins are well worn but several mint state specimens are known. A beautiful deeply toned coin that was graded NGC MS-64 appeared in the DLRC auction of the Richmond Collection in March 2005. Another example described as MS-62 appeared in the Bowers and Merena sale of the Eliasberg Collection in April 1997. While only 27% of the respondents placed this issue among their top three choices, it received strong support from the majority of members with 66% placing it among their top seven coins."
I did not foresee this coin remaining in the collection very long. It did survive about one year and nine months. The G6 coin is one of two coins in this low graded condition in the basic collection. I am wondering if the new XF-40 will survive one year and nine months. Maybe.
The finest specimen in PCGS Condition Census Report is a MS63 PCGS grade that sold at Heritage 4/2016 for $17,038. The coin is from David McCarthy personal collection. PCGS Rarity and Survival Estimates place known specimens for all grades at 450.
1849-O Liberty Seated Quarter XF40
This coin was listed on website hosted by Gerry Fortin Rare Coins. The coin was placed on hold and sold pretty quickly after becoming available. The coin is said to be part of a complete set of Liberty Seated quarters from the Sunset Point Collection. The coin was advertised at $6470. PCGS valued the coin at $7000. Gerry Fortin offered this description:
Key New Orleans Date, Steely Residual Luster, Light Gun Metal Gray-Blue Patina, Near Choice Original Surfaces, Accurately Graded, Sunset Point Collection. The mintage for 1849-O New Orleans strikes is unrecorded with Briggs estimating a mintage of 16,000 pieces. Few example ever reach the marketplace. However, GFRC customers are lucky to have access to two PCGS graded EF40 example for comparison shopping. This offering is part of a complete set of Liberty Seated quarters from the Sunset Point Collection. A strictly original with ample residual luster on both sides. Surfaces are toned with a light gun metal gray-blue patina with GFRC images amplifying the blues. Obverse strike is partial and slightly better than that seen on the earlier 1847-O date. Reverse has a mark by the eagle's head otherwise, the fields are free from blemishes. Heavy die rust is noted in the obverse shield and surrounding gown folds. PCGS has graded eight at the EF40 level with few known at a higher level. Accurately graded and housed in old blue label PCGS holder with standard ring insert. An offering that should receive much consideration as nearly all EF40 examples are tied up in long term collections.
1849-O Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar XF40
Certification #21902015, PCGS #5414, POP 9/15
PCGS Price Guide Value: $7,000 / Purchase Price Unknown
Provenance: Sunset Point Collection – D.L Hansen Collection purchase from Gerry Fortin Rare Coins
Picture curtesy of www.seateddimevarieties.com
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004