Today’s posting continues the theme of die varieties and states. One of the popular and highly collectable variety denominations is the half dollar. As we have discussed the past couple weeks, I am not sure of Dell Loy’s goal when it comes to varieties. According to John Brush, he is just having fun right now. This is not a new variety to the collection; rather it is showing up as an upgrade. I am not sure of the grade of the previous coin. The coin was seen in the Liberty Seated Half Dollars Complete Variety Set, Circulation Strikes (1839-1891) set. Currently, the set 82.50% complete. The total coins required are 160. For comparisons, the basic set requires 113 coins (47 additional varieties). If I still can do fourth grade math, The D. L. Hansen Collections has acquired 19 of the 47 additional coins needed. PCGS describes the set as: There's an old saying that "Variety is the spice of life" and it certainly applies to this long and challenging set. Just building the basic set will be an heroic accomplishment in the world of numismatics, especially when you find the 1853-O No Arrows and the 1878-S. Now, adding the varieties will be fun, educational and fulfilling. Wait until you try to find the 1847/6, to name but one.
Also, the Collection has an outstanding basic 1844-O Half Dollar with a PCGS MS64+ POP 1/1 Certification #33282305. The 1844-0 Double Date variety is pretty tough to find in uncirculated condition. Hansen upgrade in a fairly nice MS61 with PCGS POP 1/2. The record sale for this variety was The Eugene H. Gardner Specimen that realized $35,250 in a 2015 Heritage Auction. The specimen was a PCGS MS64. Heritage describes the variety as: WB-103, Die Pair 22. FS-301. R.4 as a variety in all conditions, but High R.7 in Mint State. Struck from a late state of the dies, with a faint die crack through D of UNITED into ST of STATES. Another die crack traces through ERICA of AMERICA and then to the edge, where it branches down through the arrowheads to the L of DOL. Population Data (4/15): PCGS reports just three Mint State examples -- one each in MS61 and MS63, and the present coin in MS64. NGC lists a single Uncirculated coin, an MS61.
1844-O Half Dollar WB-22, MPD FS-301 Doubled Date MS61
I have not determined where this coin was obtained. The coin was last publicly sold in Heritage’s June 2019 Long Beach Expo. It is very possible that Mr. Hansen or DLRC purchased the coin at Long Beach, and now it showing up as an update. The coin realized $4,320. The coin also was listed in Heritage’s January 2019 FUN Auction in Orlando. In that sale, the pedigree was attributed to The Big Sky Collection of Half Dollars.
In the June 2019 Heritage Auction, the coin was described as: This pleasing Mint State example displays slightly prooflike fields and is struck from an early die state. All four digits of the date were entered far too high (one-fourth in the rock support, three-fourths out) and then repunched in a more correct position with only a halfhearted attempt to efface the wayward numbers. The errant digits are bolder than on many examples, most evident at the final 4. The obverse shield outline and vertical stripes show slight doubling near the scroll. The fields are faintly iridescent with predominant shades of olive-brown plus gold and blue overtones. As typical for this New Orleans issue, the strike is a trifle weak on some of the star centers and the eagle's left talon. A small dig and a pair of shallow scrapes in the right obverse field serve as hallmarks to identify this attractive, softly lustrous Seated half.
Provenance: Ex: Chicago Signature (Heritage, 8/2015), lot 4059, realized $8,225; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2016), lot 3499, realized $7,637.50; Orlando FUN (Heritage 1/2019) lot 3447, Big Sky Collection, realized $4,320; Long Beach Expo (Heritage 6/2019), lot 3777, realized $4,320; D. L. Hansen Collection
1844-O Doubled Date Half Dollar, MS61 (Gold Shield) WB-103, Broadly Doubled All Four Digits Rare Mint State Example Certification #32433071, PCGS #145817, POP 1/2 PCGS Price Guide Value: $7,500
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. D. L. Hansen Top Specimen 1844-O Half Dollar MS64+ (Gold Shield) Certification #33282305, PCGS #6246, POP 1/1 PCGS Price Guide Value: $10,500
The Sole Finest Mint State Liberty Seated Half Dollar
The D. L. Hansen Collection is not particular known for its Type Sets. Mr. Hansen is the one and only serious complete US Issues collector today. When you think of the Hansen Collection, you think of sets with 2800 to 6300 coins. Although, when collecting complete sets, by default you will have many examples of each type. The first coin posted from his purchases last night at Stacks Bowers March 2020 Baltimore Auction - Rarities Night sale was an amazing 1890 Liberty Seated Half Dollar MS68+. The sale was not in Baltimore due to COVID-19, rather moved to SBG Headquarters in Santa Ana, CA. This coin caught my eye a couple weeks ago. At the time, I thought it could be one to catch the eye of Mr. Hansen also. I was not surprised when I saw the coin added to his collection this morning.
I have said this before; I believe Mr. Hansen has a fondness of Liberty Seated silver coinage. He not only has top sets, but some sets are two and three coins deep. Hansen #2 set has a MS67 #25252692 POP 5/3, valued at $20,000. His previous top set coin is a MS68 PCGS #21554955 certified coin POP 1/1 valued at $32,500. D. L. Hansen has two of the top three coins, and a third coin that is tied for fourth. Therefore, I don’t think Hansen “needed” this coin for his collection. I believe it be a coin that he desired, and sometimes desire becomes must have. It appears he may a paid about 20% premium for the coin.
1890 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. MS-68+ (PCGS)
Simply put, this half dollar is as close to perfection as a collector can hope to encounter. It is the sole finest Mint State Liberty Seated half dollar certified by PCGS or NGC, ranking at the very top of the combined 66,812 pieces graded by those services. It offers guaranteed supremacy for any collector assembling a world-class set of Liberty Seated half dollars or 19th century type coins, and it shares the top position with no other half of this type struck from 1839 through 1891.
I could not describe this coin any better that SBG did in the opening paragraph of the listing’s description. Amazing coin for an amazing collection. This coin joins the amazing 1874 “Arrows” MS67+ specimen. The 1874 from the Jung Type Set is the sole finest for type Liberty Seated Half Dollar, Mot, Arr (1873-1874). He also has a sole finest type for Liberty Seated Half Dime, No Drap (1838-1840). The collection now has five sole finest specimens.
This is an exceptionally radiant and attractive example from this low mintage issue. The centers remain brilliant and platinum-white across each side, accented by bands of honey-gold and sapphire iridescence at the borders. Flashy and reflective fields provide an ideal backdrop for frosty and untouched design elements. Virtually flawless and stunning to view in-hand.
The PCGS TrueView photo of the coin is stunning. Do you agree? In the SBG listing photo, it is a nice looking coin, but the TrueView is purely breathtaking. The coin is not CAC Approved, so there may be a story there. There was no pedigree, but the sale is Selections from the Harrington Collection and the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Does anyone know who this coin can be attributed too? The coin realized $120,000, which I believe to be a new Auction Record.
Provenance: Unknown??
1890 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. MS-68+ (Gold Shield) Ultra Gem 1890 Liberty Seated Half Dollar The Sole Finest Mint State Liberty Seated Half Dollar CERTIFICATION #37372988, PCGS #6372, POP 1/0 PCGS Price Guide Value: $100,000 / Realized $120,000
@Currin said:
... He also has a sole finest type for Liberty Seated Half Dime, No Drap (1838-1840).
This is an interesting one, partly because it is the 1838 V-1 with a severely rusted obverse die,
that I like to call "rusty arm" - the rust pits create many raised lumps, on Liberty's arm, shin and elsewhere.
I suppose the bullseye toning helps prevent this from being the usual focal point....
Technically it has great preservation, but often die defects like rusting or clash marks detract from the beauty
and can yield a lower "market" grade, just like how attractive toning can add to the market grade. https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-dimes/liberty-seated-half-dimes-major-sets/liberty-seated-half-dimes-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1837-1873/publishedset/151679
@dbldie55 said:
So, the 1854-S Half Eagle sold to a floor bidder for 1.6 + the juice. Does anyone know who the bidder was?
I think I have a good idea..
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
So, yes. The hole in the Eliasberg set that was the 1854-S $5 can now be officially filled. I was honored to represent Mr. Hansen tonight at the auction in California and we walked away with the coin with our bid of $1.6M. Frankly, we're shocked at the result of the auction. 99% of the coins in the sale have brought VERY strong money and deservedly so.
The 1854-S fell to us in a perfect storm for Mr. Hansen and we are thrilled to be the next caretaker of this amazing coin.
As Mr. Hansen said, "this coin took a lot out of me tonight. I can't believe we won it! Wow."
Thanks, Currin for allowing me to post this. I'll have to write more about this adventure later, but the entire experience and pursuit of this coin has been rather surreal...
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:
So, yes. The hole in the Eliasberg set that was the 1854-S $5 can now be officially filled. I was honored to represent Mr. Hansen tonight at the auction in California and we walked away with the coin with our bid of $1.6M. Frankly, we're shocked at the result of the auction. 99% of the coins in the sale have brought VERY strong money and deservedly so.
The 1854-S fell to us in a perfect storm for Mr. Hansen and we are thrilled to be the next caretaker of this amazing coin.
As Mr. Hansen said, "this coin took a lot out of me tonight. I can't believe we won it! Wow."
@dbldie55 said:
I was hoping that was you. Now what is the deal on the 1822?
That's a very good question that I wish I had the answer to...and I've asked enough to know it's time to stop asking. for now.
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
Now, can we quit asking why we didn't add the XF45 example of the 54-S to the set?
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
That's wonderful news John and for the record I never asked Dell Loy about the 54-S in XF45, he obviously knew sometime ago what he wanted. John it seems to me your having too much fun! How high would you have gone? I thought the coin was worth 3 million easy. As you said, a perfect storm...
The Legendary Finest Known 1854-S Half Eagle 1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58+ (PCGS) CAC Approved
7th coin in last Box of 20…… Present Box Value = $4,180,800
I thought I would be posting this update in August 2018. I actually starting writing the posting and it would have been countdown coin #28. As many of you know, the Wolfson-DuPont-Rediscovery Specimen was sold by Heritage at the ANA Auction in Philadelphia. I predicted that Mr. Hansen would purchase the coin being the rarity of the issue (I no longer make predictions). Indeed, David Lawrence Rare Coins (which Mr. Hansen is a partner) purchased the coin for $2,160,000. Overnight, an offer was made to DLRC and after a discussion with Mr. Hansen; the coin was sold the next morning for an undisclosed price in a private transaction. With only two known private owned coins, very seldom one comes to auction. As a matter of record, only 5 times the 1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle has been in auction since mintage over 165 years ago (Note: two in the last three years). So, quite a few folks (me included) second guessed Mr. Hansen decision on selling the coin. In hindsight, what a bold decision to let go of that coin. This is the end of that story line. Mr. Hansen wrote a new one on Friday night in The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage Auction.
There are only 13 coins left in Eliasberg Quest. Also, The PCGS Hall of Fame U.S. Coins Complete Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1792-present) is nearing completion. The set only has 2 coins remaining. One of the remaining coins is the 1798 "Small Eagle" Half Eagle. We have identified only two nice PCGS gradable specimens. There are two other problem coins in PCGS – Genuine holders. The other missing coin is the Eliasberg-Pogue 1822 Half Eagle. There is no indication when this coin will be available for purchase. The other eleven coins are on the list below.
There is a great story pertaining to the first coins produced at the San Francisco Mint. It is too long to discuss here, but I would encourage you look it up and read about that first year. David Hall wrote this about the 1854-S Half Eagle: One of the great gold rarities, but not one of the better known. There are only three known examples, one of which has been in the Smithsonian since 1970. Consequently, the 1854-S $5 seldom is offered for sale, and perhaps this is the reason it doesn't get the publicity that other, more frequently traded, ultra-rarities receive. In fact, the last public auction appearance of an 1854-S half eagle was at the October, 1982 Eliasberg sale. The finest known is the Eliasberg coin, which I thought graded AU58 when I first saw it at the Eliasberg sale in 1982. In around 1998, John Dannreuther and I had the opportunity to view an incredible collection which included this coin. At the time we both felt that PCGS would grade the coin AU58. Louis Eliasberg purchased his coin from the F.C.C. Boyd sale in January, 1946. The Colonel Green-Wolfson-Norweb coin is estimated to be EF45 (I believe this to be the re-discovery coin). The Newcomer-Colonel Green-King Farouk-Lilly coin donated to the Smithsonian is estimated to be EF40ish.
I think most would agree with me when I say I was surprise the coin sold for less than $2 Million. There was a rumor at one time that the Pogue family asking price was $8 Million. I am not certain that was ever the case, but I certainly would have thought this specimen would have brought more than it did in Stacks Bowers Auction. Honesty, maybe the current economic environment played a factor. In any case, it turned out to be a great purchase and Mr. Hansen made a bold decision on the other 1854-S that paid off.
Maybe current economic environment was not all that was at play here. The coin is ranked #22 as the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. A pretty low ranking for this rarity in my opinion. As previously stated David Hall wrote: ... doesn't get the publicity that other, more frequently traded, ultra-rarities receive. In hindsight, there was not much discussion about the coin on this forum the past few months. There was some, but not nearly as much conversation that the other specimen received two years ago. If the coin was overlooked, it turned out to be an advantage for the D. L. Hansen Collection. That is a buyer dream, am I right?
Last comment before we look at the coin. It appear both DL Hansen and John Brush was very excited about this coin. Last January, they won the 1885 Trade Dollar Ex: Atwater-Eliasberg for a little less than $4 Million Dollars. The excitement motivated them to add nine rare countdown coins in the following nine months. Being they paid a little less than $2 Million for this coin, what kind of motivation could we see from the excitement generated this year? Four more countdown coins in the next nine months would be great. I just hope this is not the last that we see in 2020.
1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58+ (PCGS). CAC
This coin can be summed up by just saying it is a Great Specimen! David Bowers in a catalog description from the 1982 Eliasberg sale called the coin “The Boyd Coin”. The pedigree has more notable collectors than F.C.C. Boyd. David Akers and Walter Breen wrote this: This piece first surfaced in the hands of F.C.C. Boyd, one of the most prominent collectors of the two decades culminating in 1945. Boyd, owner of the Union News Company (which maintained newstands and sales facilities in railroad stations), was one of the most prominent collectors of this era. He also dabbled in coin dealing, running advertisements in The Numismatist and elsewhere. In 1945 and 1946 his coins were offered at auction by Numismatic Gallery (Abe Kosoff and Abner Kreisberg). The offering was billed as 'The World's Greatest Collection.' Appearing as Lot 543 in the event held in January 1946, the coin sold for a record price to the former owner of the collection now offered [Eliasberg]. David Akers notes 'it was conservatively graded Extremely Fine when catalogued for The World's Greatest Collection, but most dealers would call it at least Choice AU.' David Akers goes on to say that the coin offered here is 'considerably the better of the other two.'
The recent Stacks Bowers catalog description: This is the finest known 1854-S half eagle. Neither of the other examples confirmed to exist comes close. Its surfaces are lustrous and bright, with freshness of metal seen in protected areas of the obverse and across the reverse that can be neither recreated nor mistaken. Both sides are somewhat reflective. The obverse cartwheel is unbroken, suggesting a coin that has resisted the perils of circulation. The reverse cartwheel is resplendent and complete, richly abloom as it looked within the granite walls of the San Francisco Mint. Both sides display the rich sunlit yellow familiar to those who have seen Eliasberg coins, even and bright, untrammeled by ill-advised efforts at improvement.
This may not be the best or most valuable coin in the D. L. Hansen Collection, but it was a big time achievement to add to the collection. Mr. Hansen goal is to obtain The Greatest Collection of US Coins Ever Assembled. Then, the Eliasberg legacy is in the crosshairs to be able to achieve this difficult and problematic goal. From the Stacks Bowers catalog description: 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, spectacular freshness and unsurpassed quality in preference to coins that hover beneath the ultimate tier of quality. Was this wrote particular for Hansen to read? If so, the purchase of this coin is a big step to get the D. L. Hansen Collection in the discussion.
Provenance: The F.C.C. Boyd Collection; Numismatic Gallery's (Abe Kosoff and Abner Kreisberg) sale of the World's Great Collection, January 1946, lot 543; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. estate, 1976; Louis E. Eliasberg Jr.; (Bowers and Ruddy's) sale of the United States Gold Coin Collection, October 1982, lot 471; (Stacks Bowers) The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage, March 2020, Session 7, Lot 7335; D.L. Hansen Collection
1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58+ (PCGS) CAC The Legendary Finest Known 1854-S Half Eagle The F.C.C. Boyd Specimen, Ex: Eliasberg-Pogue Certification #28572787 / PCGS #8260 / POP 1/0 PCGS Price Guide Value: $2,750,000 / Realized 3/20/2020: $1,920,000
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. There are 13 remaining coins in the Eliasberg Quest. The two coins shown in BOLD are required to complete the Hall of Fame "Complete 1792 to Present Registry Set". The remaining 11 coins are required for a Historically Complete US Collection equal to the accomplishment that Louis Eliasberg achieved around 1950.
1870-S Half Dime (Unique Coin in Tom Bender PCGS Registry Collection)
1873-CC "No Arrows" Dime (Unique Coin in an anonymous collection)
1870-S Three Dollar Only (Unique Coin owned by the Bass Foundation displayed at the ANA)
1866 "No Motto" Dollar Proof Only (2 Minted, Unique Private Coin in Simpson Collection)
1933 Double Eagle (Known Survival 16, Unique Legally Owned Coin - anonymous collection) 1822 Half Eagle (Survival 3, Unique Private Owned Coin in the Pogue Collection) 1798 "Small Eagle" Half Eagle (Survival 7, possibly 2 nice examples could be purchased)
1913 Liberty Head Nickel Proof Only (5 Minted, 3 private owned)
1838-0 Half Dollar BM Only (Survival 9, six known for private purchase)
1827 "Original" Quarter Dollar Proof Only (Survival 9)
1880 Four Dollar Gold "Stella’s" (Coiled Hair) Proof Only (Survival 8)
1880 Four Dollar Gold "Stella’s" (Flowing Hair) Proof Only (Survival 24)
1839 Gobrecht Original Dollar (Survival 60-75) Note: DLH has an 1839 Restrike #32225780
“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” Alexander The Great
The price paid for the 54-S seems like a great deal - finest and nice looking. I am surprised but not surprised as it requires at least 2 motivated collectors. I can't image a dealer buying for inventory especially at this time.
@earlyAurum said:
The price paid for the 54-S seems like a great deal - finest and nice looking. I am surprised but not surprised as it requires at least 2 motivated collectors. I can't image a dealer buying for inventory especially at this time.
It was a great deal! So much so that I was tempted to bid!
@earlyAurum said:
The price paid for the 54-S seems like a great deal - finest and nice looking. I am surprised but not surprised as it requires at least 2 motivated collectors. I can't image a dealer buying for inventory especially at this time.
It was a great deal! So much so that I was tempted to bid!
I think the Hansen purchase of the 1854-s half eagle in AU 58+ is the perfect example of something that has been discussed previously. When someone is critical of a purchase or a non purchase by Hansen remember that this is a constantly changing collection. There are always upgrades and purchases that were not expected. So those critical of his not purchasing the previous 1854-s should see that what they perceived as a mistake is now a strength. Further, Hansen is showing he is not someone who can be held hostage fora particular coin---he can be patient. He can wait for the right coin and the right opportunity.
One could see Hansen getting down to about five coins, but some serious alignment in the stars would be required to get the whole set. Or when you get close enough maybe you make an insane offer on a "package deal" with all owners having to agree.
@Gazes said:
I think the Hansen purchase of the 1854-s half eagle in AU 58+ is the perfect example of something that has been discussed previously. When someone is critical of a purchase or a non purchase by Hansen remember that this is a constantly changing collection. There are always upgrades and purchases that were not expected. So those critical of his not purchasing the previous 1854-s should see that what they perceived as a mistake is now a strength. Further, Hansen is showing he is not someone who can be held hostage fora particular coin---he can be patient. He can wait for the right coin and the right opportunity.
It’s my understanding that Mr. Hansen did purchase the previous 1854-S $5 in partnership, but very shortly thereafter, sold it.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@Gazes said:
I think the Hansen purchase of the 1854-s half eagle in AU 58+ is the perfect example of something that has been discussed previously. When someone is critical of a purchase or a non purchase by Hansen remember that this is a constantly changing collection. There are always upgrades and purchases that were not expected. So those critical of his not purchasing the previous 1854-s should see that what they perceived as a mistake is now a strength. Further, Hansen is showing he is not someone who can be held hostage fora particular coin---he can be patient. He can wait for the right coin and the right opportunity.
It’s my understanding that Mr. Hansen did purchase the previous 1854-S $5 in partnership, but very shortly thereafter, sold it.
Let me rephrase---those critical that he did not keep it.
@MFeld said:
It’s my understanding that Mr. Hansen did purchase the previous 1854-S $5 in partnership, but very shortly thereafter, sold it.
Let me rephrase---those critical that he did not keep it.
Absolutely. People were critical of that sale. And his new acquisition proves that he is 2 steps ahead of all of us.
I could not agree more about the steps ahead comment. His collection is not a static group of coins. Just because a coin is purchased that some may be less than thrilled with does not mean that coin will end up being "the coin". If anyone has proven the ability to upgrade it is Mr. Hansen. Likewise, those critical of a missed opportunity should realize often there are more opportunities and sometimes you can make more opportunities. Mr. Hansen has shown he will not be pushed into a corner. Good for him!
@dbldie55 said:
Did Hansen pick up any other items in the Pogue sale?
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Yes, I have no way to know the exact number, but at least 50 or more Pogue coins were picked up, including about 10 Washington Quarter replacements, approx. 16 Barber Quarters. There is a new Near-Gem Quarter Eagle. The beautiful 1863 Seated Dollar and a few other olds and ends. I would assume some coins were purchased for his #2 Sets, but I don’t watch them. I will plan to cover some of these purchases in the near future. They are on my list of to-do items.
This posting is about early coppers in Half Cents denomination. Peter Miller is one of the icons of early coppers collectors. He have PCGS Hall of Fame Sets in Half Cents and Large Cents. He featured his ESM Collection of Half Cents in Stacks Bowers March 2020 Rarities Night Auction. SBG wrote this in a recent press release: The ESM Collection is one of the most significant half cent cabinets offered by Stack’s Bowers Galleries in recent years. It is ranked #2 Current Finest on the PCGS Registry in categories Half Cents Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1793-1857) and Half Cents with Major Varieties Circulation Strikes. This complete set of half cents by Guide Book variety was a magnet of interest when exhibited at major conventions over the last several months. That interest was on full display as the ESM Collection opened the Rarities Night Session of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries March 2020 Auction. The release indicated the collection “Tops the Million Dollar Mark During Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Rarities Night Sale”. Judging by recent updates, it appears Mr. Hansen purchased at least 12 coins from this great collection paying out a minimum of $194,120.
Prior to the sale, The D. L. Hansen Collection of Half Cents was missing five coins in the Major Variety Set. He purchased four of the five coins in ESM Collection Auction. PCGS valued the four coins at $260,000 and Mr. Hansen was able to acquire them for $151,000. The most valuable coin in Hansen’s purchase, was the 1796 Half Cent No Pole, VG10BN that realized $66,000. This near completes the 54 piece set with the only missing hole belonging to 1797 Gripped Edge Variety Half Cent. I would assume Mr. Hansen was the under bidder on this coin. The coin realized $90,000. Mr. Hansen will need to continue his search for a specimen.
He also purchased eight upgrade coins. The total purchased based on his recent set revision was 12 coins. He does not appear to have done as well with the upgrades as he did with the new purchases. He paid a total of $142,920 for the eight coins that PCGS valued at only $117,000. The prized upgrade was the 1795 Half Cent PE Punctuated Date MS62BN that realized $43,000. PCGS values this coin in MS62BN at only $22,500. There must be something that Mr. Hansen really likes about this coin.
The Collection has a long way to go before it can be mention in the same sentence with the All-Time Hall of Fame Set, The Missouri Cabinet. Also, not even close the current Hall of Fame Set by Jim McGuigan. His set will soon be approaching 20 years for dominance of the PCGS Registry. At this point, Mr. Hansen is attempting to assemble a complete collection of half cents. He is only one coin away from doing just that.
1794 Half Cent “C-1a Large Edge Letters”, MS62BN
This is a really high end upgrade to this collection. PCGS Population for all die marriages of the issue is eight, with one finer (MS-66 BN finest). For “C-1a” attribution only, PCGS Population is one with two finer in this category (MS-64+ BN finest). SBG described the coin as: This is a remarkably well preserved example of this underrated type. Hard satin surfaces are toned in handsome antique copper patina, with a few swirls of intermingled autumn-brown evident. Overall quite smooth for both the type and the assigned grade. A thin, shallow graze is noted in the obverse field immediately below Liberty's portrait.
As stated earlier, Mr. Hansen paid almost twice the PCGS value for this specimen. He must have seen something special in the coin.
Provenance: Provenance: From the ESM Collection. Earlier from Heritage's FUN Signature Sale of January 1998, lot 6142.
Exceptional 1794 C-1a Half Cent 1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent C-1a. Rarity-2. Normal Head, Large Edge Letters, MS-62 BN (PCGS) Certification #21757454, PCGS #35018 PCGS Price Guide Value: $22,500 / Realized $43,200
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. 1796 Half Cent No Pole, BN VG10BN
There may be three of these coins in mint state condition. This is not one of them. According to PCGS, the survival estimate for this coin is 29 for all specimens (gradable and non). Only 10 are certified by PCGS and the finest specimen is an absolute amazing monster coin. Guess who owned it? Here is what David Hall wrote: The incredible MS67RB from the Louis Eliasberg collection is one of the great copper coins of all-time. This coin is the only 1796 no pole half cent I've ever seen that has any Red color. And I only know of one other 1796 no pole in mint state condition, a PCGS grade MS62BN. The MS67RB sold at the Eliasberg sale in 1996 for $506,000. What a coin! PCGS places the value at $775,000. Our expert Ron Guth wrote: Less than thirty 1796 No Pole Half Cents are known but, of those, three are Uncirculated. The finest example is the PCGS MS67 Red and Brown from the Eliasberg collection, which sold in 1996 for a record $506,000. That particular example is a member of the Million Dollar Coin Club. This coin is presently in very strong hands as it is tucked away in High Desert Collection. One of the other mint states (MS63BN PCGS) is in the Jim McGuigan Collection.
At a PCGS VG10 grade, only six have been certified better. It appears that maybe Hansen ended up purchasing this coin at a bargain. PCGS valued the coin at $115,000 and Mr. Hansen was able to hammer the coin at $66,000. Is there is more of story around the grade dropping on the coin? SBG described the coin as: Both sides exhibit dark steely-brown patina, near ebony, with deep olive highlights in areas. While the surfaces are not perfect, with fine granularity yielding to several scattered pits, they are also not unattractive. A few old, dull scratches are noted behind Liberty's cap and vertically at the central reverse. You have any thoughts on this purchased?
Provenance: From the ESM Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's and American Numismatic Rarities') Medio and Da Costa Gomez Collections sale, June 2004, lot 2083. The coin was certified Fine-15 by ANACS at the time of that sale, and our cataloger further noted that it had previously been certified both Fine-15 and Fine-12 by PCGS.
Bold and Inviting 1796 No Pole Half Cent A Classic Rarity, Only 25 to 30 Known 1796 Liberty Cap Half Cent C-1. Rarity-6-. No Pole. VG-10 (PCGS) Certification #14656376, PCGS #1030 PCGS Price Guide Value: $115,000 / Realized $66,000
To my knowledge the 1796 no pole
Eliasberg coin was in the Oliver Jung type set . I believe it is offered for sale by Joe O’Conner unless High Desert bought it . The MS 62 1796
No pole resides in the Don Partrick
Collection and should be offered for sale after he passes.
@RedCopper said:
To my knowledge the 1796 no pole
Eliasberg coin was in the Oliver Jung type set . I believe it is offered for sale by Joe O’Conner unless High Desert bought it . The MS 62 1796
No pole resides in the Don Partrick
Collection and should be offered for sale after he passes.
@RedCopper said:
High Desert owns the 1796 no pole
from the Missouri cabinet
graded ms 65 bn
Thanks for additional information. Stewart, you are correct. High Desert has the finest BN, not the million dollar RB. That one is probably in that RedCopper guys’ set.
The D. L. Hansen Collection of Barber Coinage has achieved a great success in little over three years. Mr. Hansen was able to fast track the half dollars with some key purchases of high graded sets. He was able to obtain many of the specimens when the Perfection Collection of Half Dollars was offered. The dimes and quarter dollars have been more of a coin by coin challenge. He is in second place in the dime and quarter dollar major sets below, but as you can see, there are some very strong and well established collections in first place. The Blay Barber Dime set established the top spot for the first time in 2009. This collection, along RSD and Simpson, are very dug into their top spots. Unless these top sets goes to market, the future expectations for the D. L. Hansen Collection is to just add a coin or two when available.
Our fellow community member, Srotag, recently placed a few of his coins on the market. His collection contains several nice and high graded specimens. I have identified that Mr. Hansen snagged three very nice Barber Quarters. There may have been more, but the ones that were most obvious were these three. The coins were offered in GreatCollections Auctions in late February. He made these purchase before the recent Pogue Sale. Of the three coins, one was higher graded than specimen offered by Pogue, and the other two tied.
The three upgrades do not move the Hansen Collection up the ranking. The Barber Quarters Basic, Circulation Strikes set remains in third place overall. Hansen’s 74-piece set trails retired Perfection Set, which is in second place. The second place set is within reach, but the RSD Set is probably not catchable. Let’s take a peek at the three coins.
1895-S Barber Quarter Dollar MS67
This is a PCGS POP 1/0 coin. In a previous Stacks Bowers Auction, the coin is listed as 1895-S/S Barber Quarter, Lawrence-101, Repunched Mintmark. I am by far from being a Barber Quarter specialist. What I see in CoinFacts, PCGS does not distinguish the varieties. PCGS POP Report only lists only the PCGS #5612 basic coin. Our resident expert Ron Guth wrote this: As with the 1893-S and 1894-S Quarter Dollars, the 1895-S is found with the mintmark in two positions: one with the S above the space between the R of QUARTER and the D of DOLLAR and another with the S above the left edge of the D. Apparently, the first variety (S between the R and D) is the scarcer of the two. Not an expect like Ron, but this coin looks like it may be the second more common variety.
The coin realized $19,687.50 in the GreatCollection Auction, Feb 23, 2020. As you know, GCA listings do not usually include a description. In the Stacks Bowers 2012 Auction: Bathed in billowy mint frost, both sides are also veiled in lovely champagne-gold iridescence. There are no detracting abrasions, and even the most intricate elements of the design are fully struck. One of numerous important Barber quarter offerings in this sale, and a piece that would serve as a highlight in the finest set.
1897-S Barber Quarter Quarter MS66+
This is a PCGS POP 2/2 coin. In a previous Legend Auction, the coin is listed as a 1897-S PCGS MS66+ CAC from the Premier Barber Collection. Ron Guth wrote this: The 1897-S Quarter Dollar is found with the mintmark in two positions: one with the S above the space between the R of QUARTER and the D of DOLLAR and another with the S above the left edge of the D. Apparently, the first variety (S between the R and D) is the scarcer of the two.
The coin realized $24,187.50 in the GreatCollection Auction, Feb 23, 2020. As you know, GCA listings do not usually include a description. In the Legend 2018 Auction: WOW! This coin is AMAZING! There really is a lot to LOVE about this SUPERB GEM. Conditionally rare in these lofty grades, of the original mintage of 542,229, there are very few coins that survive in such high grades. Tied for second finest graded at PCGS. The fields show flashy, semi-prooflike that beam with icy brilliance. The devices are totally frosty and well struck, showing off a very pleasing cameo-like contrast. Framing both sides is a narrow band of blue, orange, amber, gold, around the rims, making the brilliant silvery centers stand out even more. A few tiny marks can be seen with a strong glass, but they do not affect the SUPERB eye appeal of this impressive GEM! The Pogue PCGS MS66+ sold last week for $15,600 last week. PCGS valued the coin at $19,800, so the new Hansen coin was purchased at a premium.
1904 Barber Quarter Dollar MS67
This is a PCGS POP 2/0 coin. It has been a decade since the last appearance of this coin, Heritage 2009 Auction. The coin was listed as Delightful MS67 1904 Quarter from The Joseph C. Thomas Collection.
The coin realized $10,687.50 in the GreatCollection Auction, Feb 23, 2020. As you know, GCA listings do not usually include a description. In the Heritage 2009 Auction: Boldly struck with deep, satiny brilliance. Although minted in significant numbers (over 14 million pieces), the 1904 is more difficult in Mint State than the typical P-mint Barber quarter and is infrequently found at the Gem level. This is the lone MS67 example known to PCGS (2/09), making it a Registry collector essential. PCGS values this coin at $9,000. So, Mr. Hansen paid a slight premium for this coin. Unlike last coin, the Pogue MS67 specimen went through the roof at $26,400.
1897-S Quarter Dollar, MS66+ CAC An Important Condition Rarity, POP 2/2 WOW! This coin is AMAZING! (Legend) Certification #25389080, PCGS #5618 PCVG: $19,800 - GreatCollection Auction: $24,187.50
Provenance: Heritage 2013 US Coins Signature Auction - Long Beach, Lot#1189; The Premier Barber Collection- Legend Rare Coin Auctions, May 2018, Lot 267; Srotag Collection - GreatCollection Auction, Feb 23, 2020 – D. L. Hansen Collection
@oih82w8 said:
Do the coins with the D.L. Hansen pedigree command premiums?
I'd love to have a couple of his 2nd set coins & I would pay a premium if he ever decides to dump some saints.
So far as I know, that has not happened yet.
@oih82w8 said:
Do the coins with the D.L. Hansen pedigree command premiums?
I'd love to have a couple of his 2nd set coins & I would pay a premium if he ever decides to dump some saints.
So far as I know, that has not happened yet.
.
Interesting, He presently have over 500 coins for sale. There are a hand full on Liberty Double Eagles but no Saints. I will say this. For the longest of time, Mr. Hansen did not offer any of his duplicates for sale. I understand the main reason, while building his sets, he really don’t know what he wants to keep. This may be the situation with the Saints. The series may be in early development, so everything is a keeper right now.
As I have stated before, I believe the little things are what makes this Collection special. There are several other great collections. We have seen bias comparisons made by specialists in the community that ranks the D.L. Hansen Collection toward the bottom of the Top 10 for collectors. Most, if not all the other collections, have a specialty area that they are focus on. In my opinion, what makes the Hansen Collection different; there is not a specialty. I see that every coin is special and have great significance, from this Pogue coin to the two million dollar 1854-S Half Eagle purchased in the same auction. I am not trying to say the Liberty Dollar has the same significance as the 54-S, rather than the specimen is important enough for Mr. Hansen to spend $108,000 to uprade the collection. He already had a very high grade 1863 Seated Liberty Dollar with an impeccable provenance that worked well in the collection. This upgrade was not required, but appears Mr. Hansen’s unsatisfiable desired to improve the collection is driving this collection better and better. Where is the end game? Is it 100% Top 5 Condition Census Specimens? If so, this upgrade was not needed.
@Currin said:
They are not an exact match. It would be really nice to see what they look like side by side.
.
. 1862 Hansen-Morelan-Share MS65, CAC Approve , CERTIFICATION #21572854, PCGS #6952
Couple weeks prior to the auction I featured this 1863 Pogue-Dawson-Gugenheim MS67 with Hansen’s 1862 Hansen-Morelan-Share Specimen. When I saw the coin, it was something about the coin that I felt would interest Mr. Hansen. For one, the coin improves two of his sets that I know he spends a lot of resources on. This new Pogue coin will improve both the #1 All-Time Seated Liberty Dollar set and his Civil War era collection. I did not predict that Mr. Hansen would bid on the coin, because I have been told that my predictions can influence auction results.
By the pictures, I have to admit that the two coins look great together. I would love to get an invitation to see them side-by-side.
1863 Liberty Seated dollars MS67 PCGS, Pogue-Dawson-Gugenheim Specimen
Thanks to Bruce Morelan (TDN) for providing the provenance for the Pogue specimen. From the coin’s early toning, I thought the Pogue and Moreland coins could be from the same cabinet. If that is the case as Bruce stated, “they were stored together was prior to 1953”. The coins do have a look that they could belong together and it was great to see that Mr. Hansen was successful in acquiring the specimen. I did ask John Brush a couple days prior to the sale what was his thoughts on the coin. His response was just one word, “interesting”. I translated that to be, “Great Coin, Love it”.
The Stacks Bowers description called the coin ‘Stunning”. I am pretty confident the picture does not do justice for the coin. If any of you have seen the coin in hand, let us know what your thoughts are. Would you use the word, “stunning”? The description indicated: This richly and originally toned Superb Gem is truly lovely, with warm steel and pewter gray patina and exceptional undertones of vivid cobalt blue and lilac-purple. Fully struck, highly lustrous, and virtually pristine.
Mr. Hansen was able to acquire this Pogue Specimen for $108,000. SBG placed the estimate at $95,000 - $120,000. So, the sale price was in the middle of the estimate range. This is interesting; PCGS places the guide price at $200,000. This is quite a bit of difference. The new Hansen coin sets a new auction record price. The previous record was from a 2005 Bowers & Merena Auction for a MS66 PCGS that realized $62,100. I will restate this is a very nice addition.
Stunning Superb Gem 1863 Silver Dollar Finest Certified by+M314 PCGS 1863 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar. OC-1. Rarity-3 Certification #38634068, PCGS #6953 PCVG: $200,000 / Realized $108,000 Provenance: From the D. Brent Pogue Collection, March 2020 Auction - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage – Lot 7305; Ex: IIRC, Andre Dawson; Jascha Heifetz sale where it said the consignor owned it for 36 years after purchasing it from the 1953 Gugenheim sale (TDN)
There was a time that I would have paid $300k for that coin if it was all there. Price realized and no sticker makes me think it might not be. But great coin nonetheless
@tradedollarnut said:
There was a time that I would have paid $300k for that coin if it was all there. Price realized and no sticker makes me think it might not be. But great coin nonetheless
@tradedollarnut said:
There was a time that I would have paid $300k for that coin if it was all there. Price realized and no sticker makes me think it might not be. But great coin nonetheless
Why didn’t the coin sticker?
That's really pretty blue toning, but I'm not sure it comes naturally, especially that uniform over both sides of the coin. But I have not seen it inhand, so my guess is just that--a guess.
A couple weeks ago, I post the last part of a ten part series. The final posting was delayed last Sunday due to covering the big Pogue purchase. In this challenge, I used a coin listing based on a Doug Winter article. I found the article in CoinWeek dated October 31, 2016. The article was titled: Classic US Coins – 50 US Gold Issues with the “Wow” Factor. He presented 50 golds coins that have strong demand levels and could be called trophy coins. He excluded coins consider too rare, like the 1822 and 1854-S half eagles. When doing these challenges, I really don’t look ahead and have no clue how the results will turn out. In fact, the results are not of the upmost importance, rather discovering Hansen Specimens that has not been shown before. So, this final posting will summarized what we discovered.
We discovered that The D. L. Hansen Collection represented 47 of the 50 coins on Doug Winter’s WOW list. The final three coins on the list were territorial gold. These coins are not something that Mr. Hansen has “ever had interest in”. Could that change over the next several years as the collection expand? Maybe, or maybe not. Only the time will tell for sure.
We discovered the 47 Hansen coins featured in this challenge had a total value of $11,609,000. This results in the average per coin value of $247,000. We recently saw a well promoted gold collection that highlighted with the average value of $166,000. That collection has about six times the number of coins that were in this Hansen Challenge, so I am not implying a direct comparison can be made. What I am implying that the 47 coins that we saw in Hansen’s collection have a significant value, but represent a small portion of the Hansen Collection.
Also, we discovered some really high end coins that are the finest known specimens. Below are ten coins that I will showcase. The first nine are all PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens. The last coin shown is not a POP 1/0, rather rare Double Eagle that belongs to the PCGS Million Dollar Coin Club.
In closing, this has been a fun experiment. This is the second challenge that I have featured in the past two years. I have done these challenges over the slow period before the spring shows and auctions gets in full swing. I believe this Eliasberg-Hansen challenge will be my last. I am planning to try something new next winter. Without revealing too much, I am considering a feature that will look at the Hansen Collection and determine the weakest to the strongest series. This is based on a question that I have been asked several times over the past two years. The answer is not as simple as you may think.
So, let’s conclude this feature with these 10 coins, because we are going to have a lot of new material to watch. Also, I believe we have reached a point that we should take a harder look at the Major Varieties. Keep watching. Enjoy.
This Pogue Masterpiece is an upgrade to the Liberty Seated Half Dimes Collection. As you probably know, The Hansen Collection is playing second fiddle to the Tom Bender Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dimes. The Bender Collection has the unique 1870-S Half Dime along with 19 PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens. In comparison, the recent Pogue POP 1/0 Specimen increases Mr. Hansen’s count to nine. It appear that between Bender’s 19 and Hansen’s 9, they have all the POP 1/0 Specimens except a couple, maybe three. Due to the bonus point factor, there is no chance of Hansen Collection rising to the top of this series.
Although, Mr. Hansen cannot achieve first fiddle, he still have some impressive half dimes. He has the sole finest type for Liberty Seated Half Dime, No Drapery. The coin was purchased last year from Jung Type Collection, which I believe to be the greatest Type Set ever assembled (particular in PCGS era). YOS showed us this one of a kind coin a few days ago and discussed the toning which he called bullseye, some could call target.
@Currin said:
... He also has a sole finest type for Liberty Seated Half Dime, No Drap (1838-1840).
This is an interesting one, partly because it is the 1838 V-1 with a severely rusted obverse die,
that I like to call "rusty arm" - the rust pits create many raised lumps, on Liberty's arm, shin and elsewhere.
I suppose the bullseye toning helps prevent this from being the usual focal point....
Technically it has great preservation, but often die defects like rusting or clash marks detract from the beauty
and can yield a lower "market" grade, just like how attractive toning can add to the market grade. https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-dimes/liberty-seated-half-dimes-major-sets/liberty-seated-half-dimes-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1837-1873/publishedset/151679
.
.
This new Pogue Half Dime has similar bullseye toning. As you know, Mr. Hansen does not purchase every POP 1/0 Specimen that becomes available. This has created frustration for several owners that think their coin should be an automatic purchase at a premiums price. I have come to believe that it’s not just the price, but also the appeal that makes or breaks the deal. I feel I have become familiar to Mr. Hansen’s eye and in some cases able to predict his desire for a particular coin. I think this Pogue has “The Look” that catches the eye of the one that makes the decisions.
As describe above, this is another stunning addition to the D. L. Hansen Collection from the D. Brent Pogue Collection. The bullseye toning was described by Stacks Bowers as: This target-toned beauty exhibits crimson red, sea green, cobalt blue, lilac-blue and golden-orange colors from the rims to the centers. It is well struck with bold to sharp detail throughout the design and displays full, smooth frosty luster….. Residing at the very top of this very small population of Gems is the Pogue coin, which is the sole example graded MS-67 by PCGS. This is an extraordinary little coin.
The Pogue coin is a great compliment to Hansen’s sole finest by type specimen. The coin was not purchase as a great deal or discount. SBG estimated the coin value between $6,000 - $8,000. PCGV was given to be $12,500. The coin sold for $15,600, so it appear Mr. Hansen was willing to pay a premium for this spectacular CAC Approved Specimen. Although, this coin cannot assist in the Hansen Liberty Seated Half Dimes Collection reaching the top spot, the coin is a very nice addition to the collection.
Exceptional Superb Gem 1866-S Half Dime Finest Certified at PCGS, POP 1/0 1866-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. MS-67, CAC Certification #38634026, PCGS #4389 PCVG: $12,500 / Realized $15,600 Provenance: From the D. Brent Pogue Collection, March 2020 Auction - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage – Lot 7041
About this time last year, we were discussing if the Hansen Collection could make an impact in the Washington Quarter Series. What a difference a year can make. The Washington Quarter Dollars have been some of the more aggressive sets that we have seen Mr. Hansen assembled. As we speak, the D. L. Hansen Collection of Washington Quarter Dollars has 18 All-Time #1 Sets. All are 100% complete. The “silver set from 1932 to 1964” is the focal of the discussion today.
With the recent updates, The Hansen Collection upgraded 13 WQ coins. The basic set had nine upgrades and the Major Varieties set replaced four specimens. The Hansen’s Silver sets for both Basic and Major Varieties were already #1 All-Time. The Hansen Collection achieved this status September 2019. These upgrades make the best even better. Twelve of the upgrades are from the R. L. Redmond’s “Red’s Silver Sets”. He retired the #3 All-Time Basic Set, the #2 All-Time Classic Set, and the #5 All-Time Major Varieties Set. David Lawrence Rare Coins featured these Washington quarter sets in a Sunday Auction on March 22, 2020. The auction featured the Red's Silver Washington Quarter Collection. 123 beautiful, registry-quality Washington quarters are available for bidding, many of them with No Reserve…. Red’s Silver Washington Quarter Collection is currently ranked as the #2 PCGS Set Registry for Silver Washington Quarters with Major Varieties. This collection was painstakingly pieced together by a longtime collector who focused on quality and eye appeal with each and every coin. In fact, 95 of the individual coins have garnered the coveted CAC seal of Approval for quality. The highlights of the collection include numerous absolute Finest Graded examples from PCGS, and several key dates that are virtually impossible to improve upon in any way, shape or form. Quite a few of the coins in this collection also bear the pedigrees of royalty within the Washington Quarter collecting categories. Mr. Hansen was the successful bidder on at least 12 coins for his primary sets. He may have purchased more if he added any to his duplicate sets.
I believe the only Washington Quarter Dollar purchased for The Hansen Collection from the Pogue sale was the 1954-D MS67+ PCGS. This is an indication of just how spectacular the Hansen Washington specimens are. The Pogue 1954-D has stunning toning. The Rainbow Collections is one of the more magnificent toning collections of Washingtons. The Pogue 1954-D would look great in that collection, but it will more than likely reside in the Hansen Collection for the foreseeable future.
Superb Gem 1954-D Washington, None Graded Finer by PCGS, From D. Brent Pogue Collection
.
. 1932-S Washington Quarter Dollar MS66 PCGS, CAC Approved
I had a couple ways that I could go in deciding which coin to feature. The 1943-D MS68 PCGS POP 1/0 Specimen would have been a nice choice. The coin realized $15,250. At the end of the day, I went with the rare key date issue 1932-S. The coin reached a new Auction Record in the David Lawrence RC sale when the coin realized $45,500. The specimen broke its own record. The previous record was $35,250 in a Heritage January 2013 FUN Signature Auction in Orlando. In the sale, the provenance was attributed to The David Poole Collection of Silver Washington Quarters. The coin was described as: a significant condition rarity at the MS66 level. This broadly luminous example has pale gold, lavender, and blue hues washing over each side. A typically soft strike is of little consequence, as are any marks.
David Hall wrote this on the 1932-S: The 1932-S is the lowest mintage (408,000) of the entire Washington quarter series, and along with its 1932-D counterpart, it is one of the most in-demand key dates of the 20th century. This is a coin that has been sought after in all grades since the 1950s. Interestingly, though the 1932-S and 1932-D are virtually the same rarity in circulated grades, mint state 1932-Ds are nearly twice as rare as 1932-Ss. Nonetheless, an Uncirculated 1932-S Washington quarter is a great coin and gem MS65s are quite rare.
In DLRC description, the CAC Approval was pointed out: Wonderfully original gem that is bested by no other examples! In fact, only 3 examples have garnered the coveted CAC seal of approval. Lustrous surfaces gleam beneath delicate patina of russet and pale blue. Fantastic details and great eye appeal. Along with the 1932-D, the 32-S is one of the set-stoppers of the regular issue WQ set. CAC approved for quality. Tied for finest known with four other examples at PCGS.
The D. L. Hansen Collection invested a total of $158,500 in the twelve Red’s Silver quarter dollars. These upgrades may have positioned Hansen’s Washington Quarter Basic Silver set out of reach of the #2 Rainbow and #3 Wondercoin Collections. Maybe not. This gives Hansen his third PCGS POP 1/0 Specimen. Rainbow has four! Unless Rainbow is sandbagging his new purchases, he has not updated anything from the Red’s Silver or Pogue sales. In addition, Wondercoin has one POP 1/0 specimen. The top three collections can account for only eight of the known 16 POP 1/0 coins. Where are the remaining eight? Are they in a hidden away monster set?
Fantastic MS66 1932-S Quarter, PCGS POP 5/0 A Key-Date Registry Set Essential 1932-S 25C MS66 PCGS Secure, CAC Approved Certification #16537838, PCGS #5792 PCVG: $32,500 – DLRC Auction: $45,500
Provenance: The David Poole Collection - Heritage 2013 US Coins Signature Auction - Long Beach, Lot #5606; - Red’s Silver Collection - David Lawrence RC Auctions, 3/2020 – D. L. Hansen Collection
It appears from the updates that D. L. Hansen Collection acquired a few Pogue Coins from a broad array of denominations. This update features a quarter eagle. It may have been the only quarter eagle in the purchase, and it is a nice one. The year 1870 may be the most difficult mint set of all times. PCGS describe the mint set this way: Few Mint Sets will prove more difficult to complete than the 1870. One gold coin, and one silver coin stand like twin titans blocking completion by all but the most dedicated (and wealthy) collectors. In silver, it is the 1870-S Silver Dollar. Mysterious in origin, only about a dozen examples are known, and they regularly trade will into six figures, and into seven figures for the best survivors. The mint in Carson City opened this year, and as would be the case for the next 23 years, most of its issues are rare. The inaugural year was no exception, and Quarter, Half and Dollar are all notable rarities. The Quarter in particular is extremely tough, bringing a five figure price in most circulated grades, and into six figures as Mint State is approached. PCGS has not graded any above AU55. The other titan is the 1870-CC $20, one of the great rarities of a series replete with rarities. Worth between a quarter and a half a million dollars almost regardless of grade, it is a legendary coin from a legendary mint by any measure. The fun doesn't end there though, as the Carson City Half Eagle and Eagle are also ultra rare and most desirable. We might add this set also includes the 1870-S $3, but its status goes even beyond a Titan. It is unique and in a permanent collection, so forget about this one. Its estimated value exceeds $5 million.
The PCGS 1870 32-piece set requires both 1870-S Half Dime and the 1870-S Three Dollar Gold. These unique coins are missing in the D. L. Hansen Collection. This registry set has not been started by Mr. Hansen, although the collection has the other 30 coins present and accounted for. The collection has the finest known and only known mint condition 1870-S Silver Dollar. The coin was last sold at public auction by Stacks in 2003 for $1,092,500. Mr. Hansen obtained this great specimen from the Legend Collection of Mint State Seated Liberty Dollars (Bruce Morelan, aka TDN). The fore mention Carson City specimens are very difficult to obtain in high grades. Hansen’s 1870-CC Half Eagle (F12), 1870-CC Quarter Dollar (XF40) and1870-CC Double Eagle (XF45) are the only Hansen’s 1870s graded less than AU55. This new addition results in the seventh PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens in the 32-piece set. Eight others are tied for finest PCGS certified. Fifteen of Hansen’s 30 1870s specimens are either finest or tied for finest. The big unknown is if, or when the two unique coins will make their way into this great collection.
1870-S Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, MS-64, CAC Approved
This coin was purchase in Stack’s Bowers March 2020 - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage Auction. In the online sale information, no clues are given to where or when Mr. Pogue acquired the coin. The information given indicates “None reaches the Gem level. This solitary PCGS MS-64 is joined by a specimen certified at NGC at the same grade level.” CoinFacts Condition Census Report states there is one MS64 and five MS63 specimens. Expert David Akers comments: Very scarce as a date and extremely rare in full mint state. Most specimens are weakly struck and the typically available grade is only VF. I can recall seeing only two strictly mint state coins and perhaps four or five others that were "sliders". The grading of this date and other S Mint quarter eagles is often difficult due to the characteristically weak striking. In most cases, the usual "high points" were never there to begin with, and so one must grade these pieces by looking at the overall quality of the surfaces and the mint lustre. Even a full mint state example of most of these S Mint quarter eagles will have the appearance of being "worn". I don’t think this coin has the appearance of being worn. What do you think?
Stack’s Bowers described the coin this way: Boldly prooflike in finish, this beautiful example is enhanced by a full, vivid rose-orange patina. Both sides are sharply struck throughout the design with remarkably smooth surfaces for this scarce and conditionally challenging issue. A faint planchet drift mark (as made) on the reverse at the letter E in AMERICA serves a useful identifier for this Condition Census near-Gem.
This Pogue coin is another great compliment to the amazing Hansen 1870 mint set. SBG estimated the coin value between $18,000-$25,000. PCPG was given at $26,000. The coin sold for sold $34,800, so it appear Mr. Hansen was willing to pay a premium for this coin. I like this purchase and also where I see this difficult mint set is heading.
Outstanding Near-Gem 1870-S Quarter Eagle None Graded Finer, POP 1/0 1870-S Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, MS-64, CAC Certification #32916366, PCGS #7812 PCPG: $26,000 / Realized $34,800 Provenance: From the D. Brent Pogue Collection, March 2020 Auction - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage – Lot 7326
It appears from the updates that D. L. Hansen Collection acquired a few Pogue Coins from a broad array of denominations. This update features a quarter eagle. It may have been the only quarter eagle in the purchase, and it is a nice one. The year 1870 may be the most difficult mint set of all times. PCGS describe the mint set this way: Few Mint Sets will prove more difficult to complete than the 1870. One gold coin, and one silver coin stand like twin titans blocking completion by all but the most dedicated (and wealthy) collectors. In silver, it is the 1870-S Silver Dollar. Mysterious in origin, only about a dozen examples are known, and they regularly trade will into six figures, and into seven figures for the best survivors. The mint in Carson City opened this year, and as would be the case for the next 23 years, most of its issues are rare. The inaugural year was no exception, and Quarter, Half and Dollar are all notable rarities. The Quarter in particular is extremely tough, bringing a five figure price in most circulated grades, and into six figures as Mint State is approached. PCGS has not graded any above AU55. The other titan is the 1870-CC $20, one of the great rarities of a series replete with rarities. Worth between a quarter and a half a million dollars almost regardless of grade, it is a legendary coin from a legendary mint by any measure. The fun doesn't end there though, as the Carson City Half Eagle and Eagle are also ultra rare and most desirable. We might add this set also includes the 1870-S $3, but its status goes even beyond a Titan. It is unique and in a permanent collection, so forget about this one. Its estimated value exceeds $5 million.
The PCGS 1870 32-piece set requires both 1870-S Half Dime and the 1870-S Three Dollar Gold. These unique coins are missing in the D. L. Hansen Collection. This registry set has not been started by Mr. Hansen, although the collection has the other 30 coins present and accounted for. The collection has the finest known and only known mint condition 1870-S Silver Dollar. The coin was last sold at public auction by Stacks in 2003 for $1,092,500. Mr. Hansen obtained this great specimen from the Legend Collection of Mint State Seated Liberty Dollars (Bruce Morelan, aka TDN). The fore mention Carson City specimens are very difficult to obtain in high grades. Hansen’s 1870-CC Half Eagle (F12), 1870-CC Quarter Dollar (XF40) and1870-CC Double Eagle (XF45) are the only Hansen’s 1870s graded less than AU55. This new addition results in the seventh PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens in the 32-piece set. Eight others are tied for finest PCGS certified. Fifteen of Hansen’s 30 1870s specimens are either finest or tied for finest. The big unknown is if, or when the two unique coins will make their way into this great collection.
1870-S Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, MS-64, CAC Approved
This coin was purchase in Stack’s Bowers March 2020 - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage Auction. In the online sale information, no clues are given to where or when Mr. Pogue acquired the coin. The information given indicates “None reaches the Gem level. This solitary PCGS MS-64 is joined by a specimen certified at NGC at the same grade level.” CoinFacts Condition Census Report states there is one MS64 and five MS63 specimens. Expert David Akers comments: Very scarce as a date and extremely rare in full mint state. Most specimens are weakly struck and the typically available grade is only VF. I can recall seeing only two strictly mint state coins and perhaps four or five others that were "sliders". The grading of this date and other S Mint quarter eagles is often difficult due to the characteristically weak striking. In most cases, the usual "high points" were never there to begin with, and so one must grade these pieces by looking at the overall quality of the surfaces and the mint lustre. Even a full mint state example of most of these S Mint quarter eagles will have the appearance of being "worn". I don’t think this coin has the appearance of being worn. What do you think?
Stack’s Bowers described the coin this way: Boldly prooflike in finish, this beautiful example is enhanced by a full, vivid rose-orange patina. Both sides are sharply struck throughout the design with remarkably smooth surfaces for this scarce and conditionally challenging issue. A faint planchet drift mark (as made) on the reverse at the letter E in AMERICA serves a useful identifier for this Condition Census near-Gem.
This Pogue coin is another great compliment to the amazing Hansen 1870 mint set. SBG estimated the coin value between $18,000-$25,000. PCPG was given at $26,000. The coin sold for sold $34,800, so it appear Mr. Hansen was willing to pay a premium for this coin. I like this purchase and also where I see this difficult mint set is heading.
Outstanding Near-Gem 1870-S Quarter Eagle None Graded Finer, POP 1/0 1870-S Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, MS-64, CAC Certification #32916366, PCGS #7812 PCPG: $26,000 / Realized $34,800 Provenance: From the D. Brent Pogue Collection, March 2020 Auction - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage – Lot 7326
I thought this coin might be overlooked with all the highlights in the pogue auction as well as collectors sitting out due to the economy/virus. I was waiting to pounce if it were available for a discount. Although the price paid was strong, I do think the coin warranted it. In fact, in 10 years my hunch is that it will look like a bargain.
The Hansen watch thread reached 150K views today. The thread will celebrate its two year anniversary on April 14th. I hope you have enjoyed the ride and found the thread to be a fun adventure. In addition, I hope you have learned some new things along the way. Why else would you do it? I don’t think this mission that Dell Loy Hansen is on will end anytime soon. With the latest conditions in our country and the trials that we are facing, I could see some challenges in the future. So, stay buckle in, the next stop is 200K, hopefully.
I thought I might do something a little different in this update. First I will mention the amazing new additions in the last few weeks. The two coins that we saw Mr. Hansen and his team the most exited over was the 1875 Eagle as the starter this year:
D. L. Hansen Collection added an ultra-rarity specimen to the quest to assemble a complete collection of US Issue Coins. Heritage Auctions offered a rare appearance of the 1875 Eagle at February 20 US Coins Signature Auction in Long Beach. Heritage stated in their description of the coin: There have only been 13 public offerings of this issue in any grade over the last 20 years and most of the coins are presently in strong hands, so future auction appearances may be even more infrequent. This coin has been on Mr. Hansen radar for some time. The coin appeared in public two years ago: This particular coin set the auction prices realized record for the issue in its 2018 appearance in the Admiral Collection (Heritage, 2/2018), where it brought $372,000 (HA). It is pretty well known in the numismatics circles that Mr. Hansen was the underbid in a 2018 bidding war. The coin was auctioned in 2018 as a NGC AU50. It has since been crossed to a PCGS AU50. As we know, Mr. Hansen very much desire PCGS more than NGC coins. There was another bidding war, but this time Mr. Hansen walked away with the coin after it was hammered at $360,000. Would he have gone a couple more increments, we will never know. My guess would be yes.
The second “big time” purchase was the 1854-S Half Eagle that Mr. Hansen won in the Stack’s Bowers Pogue Auction:
This may not be the best or most valuable coin in the D. L. Hansen Collection, but it was a big time achievement to add to the collection. Mr. Hansen goal is to obtain The Greatest Collection of US Coins Ever Assembled. Then, the Eliasberg legacy is in the crosshairs to be able to achieve this difficult and problematic goal. From the Stacks Bowers catalog description: 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, spectacular freshness and unsurpassed quality in preference to coins that hover beneath the ultimate tier of quality. If so, the purchase of this coin is a big step to get the D. L. Hansen Collection in the discussion.
Eliasberg Quest (classic style)
The Eliasberg Quest is D.L. Hansen attempt to match or exceed Louis Eliasberg. I believe the quality of Hansen’s collection exceeds Eliasberg when you compare the coins below the Top 100. My observation and some comparisons that I have shared over the past two years confirm the Top 100 coins in Hansen’s collections is very comparable to the Eliasberg coins (even with grade-inflation). Let’s be crystal clear, the “bulk or common” coins in Hansen collection which are all PCGS Certified and slight majority are Condition Census Specimens are overall much better than Eliasberg coins. The area that Eliasberg still have the advantage over Hansen is the ultra-rarities. There about a dozen coins that Hansen needs to “somehow” obtain, to be able to fully claim (and undisputedly) the big prize.
To take the discussion a little deeper, if you have watched for a while now, you may recall a great deal of discussion around what success would look like. If success is that Hansen must match Eliasberg on having a specimen of every year and mint US issue coin, then I have provided what I call the countdown list. The Hansen Collection has 13 coins left. A complete collection have not been achieved but once before by Louis Eliasberg. I started this countdown almost two years ago. I started with 40 coins, and now we are down to 13. That is approx. 27 coins in a little less than two years. So, I will provide some of my thoughts on baker's dozen that is left.
I will segregate the discussion of the final 13 coins into parts. The first group, I will title “The Unique Specimens”. There are three true unique specimens and additional three coins that only one specimen that can be private owned. I personally think it would be a great accomplishment just to acquire three of the six coins. The second group, I call “The Seekers”. These are four coins that I think Mr. Hansen is actively seeking and has a reasonable good chance of acquiring all four of them. I believe we could see it happen in 2020. The third group I will refer to as, “No Desire”. This is a group of three coins from my observations; Mr. Hansen has no desire or at best just a very little desire to purchase. The cost to acquire the three coins in Hansen suitable grades would be approx. $6 Million Dollars. There are other coins at this time he would rather focus on purchasing. Will he change his mind and purchase the three coins at some point? Only the future can tell for sure, but I think they are important to have when engaging in a discussion of The Greatest Collection of US Coins Ever Assembled. I will discuss the three true unique specimens today, and save the other ten coins for a later discussion.
The Unique Specimens
1870-S Half Dime is presently in the PCGS Hall of Fame Tom Bender Collection. This is one of just a couple coins that Louis Eliasberg did not have in his collection. The new discovery of this coin was revealed at 1978 convention of the American Numismatic Association, after Louis Eliasberg death in 1976. The coin is graded MS64 by PCGS and is currently the center piece in a complete PCGS Liberty Seated Half Dime Collection. According to CoinFacts, the last appearance in auction was July 2004 in the Jim’s Gray’s North Carolina Sale by Bowers & Merena. The coin realized a record sale price of $661,250. CoinFacts Values the coin at $1,750,000. It is doubtful the coin will come on the market anytime soon.
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. 1873-CC "No Arrows" Dime present location is unknown to me. This coin’s historic fame is said to be last coin purchased by Louis Eliasberg when he completed his collection. He purchased the specimen from James C. Kelly and Sol Kaplan in a private transaction in November, 1950 for $4,000. It is rumored today’s asking price is 1,000 times more than the price Eliasberg paid in 1950. Seventy years makes a big difference. The coin is graded MS65 by PCGS. According to CoinFacts, the last appearance in auction was August 2012 in the Battle Born Collection Sale by Stacks Bowers. The coin realized a record sale price of $1,840,000. CoinFacts Values the coin the same. Mr. Hansen has not reached a point in his timeline where he is chasing any particular coin. This may be an interesting coin to watch.
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. 1870-S Three Dollar is presently owned by Harry Bass Foundation and currently on display at the American Numismatic Association. Louis Eliasberg purchased the specimen from Stack’s in a private transaction in January, 1946 for $11,550. The coin has an estimated grade of EF40. The coin is not in choice condition due to its "pebbled" appearance meaning the coin could have been used as jewelry. In addition, the numerals “893” are scratched upside down on the reverse. It would be interesting to see how PCGS would handle the certification of this coin. Would they be bold enough not to give it a grade? According to CoinFacts, the last appearance in auction was October 1982 in Eliasberg’s U.S. Gold Coin Collection Sale by Bowers & Ruddy. The coin realized a record sale price of $687,500. CoinFacts Values the coin at $4,000,000. There is no indication that this unique coin would be on the market anything soon.
"There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” Alexander The Great
Comments
Posting below
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
1844-O Half Dollar Doubled Date Upgrade
Today’s posting continues the theme of die varieties and states. One of the popular and highly collectable variety denominations is the half dollar. As we have discussed the past couple weeks, I am not sure of Dell Loy’s goal when it comes to varieties. According to John Brush, he is just having fun right now. This is not a new variety to the collection; rather it is showing up as an upgrade. I am not sure of the grade of the previous coin. The coin was seen in the Liberty Seated Half Dollars Complete Variety Set, Circulation Strikes (1839-1891) set. Currently, the set 82.50% complete. The total coins required are 160. For comparisons, the basic set requires 113 coins (47 additional varieties). If I still can do fourth grade math, The D. L. Hansen Collections has acquired 19 of the 47 additional coins needed. PCGS describes the set as: There's an old saying that "Variety is the spice of life" and it certainly applies to this long and challenging set. Just building the basic set will be an heroic accomplishment in the world of numismatics, especially when you find the 1853-O No Arrows and the 1878-S. Now, adding the varieties will be fun, educational and fulfilling. Wait until you try to find the 1847/6, to name but one.
Also, the Collection has an outstanding basic 1844-O Half Dollar with a PCGS MS64+ POP 1/1 Certification #33282305. The 1844-0 Double Date variety is pretty tough to find in uncirculated condition. Hansen upgrade in a fairly nice MS61 with PCGS POP 1/2. The record sale for this variety was The Eugene H. Gardner Specimen that realized $35,250 in a 2015 Heritage Auction. The specimen was a PCGS MS64. Heritage describes the variety as: WB-103, Die Pair 22. FS-301. R.4 as a variety in all conditions, but High R.7 in Mint State. Struck from a late state of the dies, with a faint die crack through D of UNITED into ST of STATES. Another die crack traces through ERICA of AMERICA and then to the edge, where it branches down through the arrowheads to the L of DOL. Population Data (4/15): PCGS reports just three Mint State examples -- one each in MS61 and MS63, and the present coin in MS64. NGC lists a single Uncirculated coin, an MS61.
1844-O Half Dollar WB-22, MPD FS-301 Doubled Date MS61
I have not determined where this coin was obtained. The coin was last publicly sold in Heritage’s June 2019 Long Beach Expo. It is very possible that Mr. Hansen or DLRC purchased the coin at Long Beach, and now it showing up as an update. The coin realized $4,320. The coin also was listed in Heritage’s January 2019 FUN Auction in Orlando. In that sale, the pedigree was attributed to The Big Sky Collection of Half Dollars.
In the June 2019 Heritage Auction, the coin was described as: This pleasing Mint State example displays slightly prooflike fields and is struck from an early die state. All four digits of the date were entered far too high (one-fourth in the rock support, three-fourths out) and then repunched in a more correct position with only a halfhearted attempt to efface the wayward numbers. The errant digits are bolder than on many examples, most evident at the final 4. The obverse shield outline and vertical stripes show slight doubling near the scroll. The fields are faintly iridescent with predominant shades of olive-brown plus gold and blue overtones. As typical for this New Orleans issue, the strike is a trifle weak on some of the star centers and the eagle's left talon. A small dig and a pair of shallow scrapes in the right obverse field serve as hallmarks to identify this attractive, softly lustrous Seated half.
Provenance: Ex: Chicago Signature (Heritage, 8/2015), lot 4059, realized $8,225; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2016), lot 3499, realized $7,637.50; Orlando FUN (Heritage 1/2019) lot 3447, Big Sky Collection, realized $4,320; Long Beach Expo (Heritage 6/2019), lot 3777, realized $4,320; D. L. Hansen Collection
1844-O Doubled Date Half Dollar, MS61 (Gold Shield)
WB-103, Broadly Doubled All Four Digits
Rare Mint State Example
Certification #32433071, PCGS #145817, POP 1/2
PCGS Price Guide Value: $7,500
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D. L. Hansen Top Specimen
1844-O Half Dollar MS64+ (Gold Shield)
Certification #33282305, PCGS #6246, POP 1/1
PCGS Price Guide Value: $10,500
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
The Sole Finest Mint State Liberty Seated Half Dollar
The D. L. Hansen Collection is not particular known for its Type Sets. Mr. Hansen is the one and only serious complete US Issues collector today. When you think of the Hansen Collection, you think of sets with 2800 to 6300 coins. Although, when collecting complete sets, by default you will have many examples of each type. The first coin posted from his purchases last night at Stacks Bowers March 2020 Baltimore Auction - Rarities Night sale was an amazing 1890 Liberty Seated Half Dollar MS68+. The sale was not in Baltimore due to COVID-19, rather moved to SBG Headquarters in Santa Ana, CA. This coin caught my eye a couple weeks ago. At the time, I thought it could be one to catch the eye of Mr. Hansen also. I was not surprised when I saw the coin added to his collection this morning.
I have said this before; I believe Mr. Hansen has a fondness of Liberty Seated silver coinage. He not only has top sets, but some sets are two and three coins deep. Hansen #2 set has a MS67 #25252692 POP 5/3, valued at $20,000. His previous top set coin is a MS68 PCGS #21554955 certified coin POP 1/1 valued at $32,500. D. L. Hansen has two of the top three coins, and a third coin that is tied for fourth. Therefore, I don’t think Hansen “needed” this coin for his collection. I believe it be a coin that he desired, and sometimes desire becomes must have. It appears he may a paid about 20% premium for the coin.
1890 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. MS-68+ (PCGS)
Simply put, this half dollar is as close to perfection as a collector can hope to encounter. It is the sole finest Mint State Liberty Seated half dollar certified by PCGS or NGC, ranking at the very top of the combined 66,812 pieces graded by those services. It offers guaranteed supremacy for any collector assembling a world-class set of Liberty Seated half dollars or 19th century type coins, and it shares the top position with no other half of this type struck from 1839 through 1891.
I could not describe this coin any better that SBG did in the opening paragraph of the listing’s description. Amazing coin for an amazing collection. This coin joins the amazing 1874 “Arrows” MS67+ specimen. The 1874 from the Jung Type Set is the sole finest for type Liberty Seated Half Dollar, Mot, Arr (1873-1874). He also has a sole finest type for Liberty Seated Half Dime, No Drap (1838-1840). The collection now has five sole finest specimens.
This is an exceptionally radiant and attractive example from this low mintage issue. The centers remain brilliant and platinum-white across each side, accented by bands of honey-gold and sapphire iridescence at the borders. Flashy and reflective fields provide an ideal backdrop for frosty and untouched design elements. Virtually flawless and stunning to view in-hand.
The PCGS TrueView photo of the coin is stunning. Do you agree? In the SBG listing photo, it is a nice looking coin, but the TrueView is purely breathtaking. The coin is not CAC Approved, so there may be a story there. There was no pedigree, but the sale is Selections from the Harrington Collection and the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Does anyone know who this coin can be attributed too? The coin realized $120,000, which I believe to be a new Auction Record.
Provenance: Unknown??
1890 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. MS-68+ (Gold Shield)
Ultra Gem 1890 Liberty Seated Half Dollar
The Sole Finest Mint State Liberty Seated Half Dollar
CERTIFICATION #37372988, PCGS #6372, POP 1/0
PCGS Price Guide Value: $100,000 / Realized $120,000
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Hansen’s #2 Coin (Second Finest Certified by PCGS)
Certification #21554955, PCGS #6372, POP 1/1
PCGS Price Guide Value: $32,500
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
This is an interesting one, partly because it is the 1838 V-1 with a severely rusted obverse die,
that I like to call "rusty arm" - the rust pits create many raised lumps, on Liberty's arm, shin and elsewhere.
I suppose the bullseye toning helps prevent this from being the usual focal point....
Technically it has great preservation, but often die defects like rusting or clash marks detract from the beauty
and can yield a lower "market" grade, just like how attractive toning can add to the market grade.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-dimes/liberty-seated-half-dimes-major-sets/liberty-seated-half-dimes-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1837-1873/publishedset/151679
So, the 1854-S Half Eagle sold to a floor bidder for 1.6 + the juice. Does anyone know who the bidder was?
I think I have a good idea..
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
So, yes. The hole in the Eliasberg set that was the 1854-S $5 can now be officially filled. I was honored to represent Mr. Hansen tonight at the auction in California and we walked away with the coin with our bid of $1.6M. Frankly, we're shocked at the result of the auction. 99% of the coins in the sale have brought VERY strong money and deservedly so.
The 1854-S fell to us in a perfect storm for Mr. Hansen and we are thrilled to be the next caretaker of this amazing coin.
As Mr. Hansen said, "this coin took a lot out of me tonight. I can't believe we won it! Wow."
Thanks, Currin for allowing me to post this. I'll have to write more about this adventure later, but the entire experience and pursuit of this coin has been rather surreal...
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
I was almost as excited that Mr. Hansen won the 1854-S $5 as if I had won it myself.
I was hoping that was you. Now what is the deal on the 1822?
Congrats to you both!
LOL. dldie give them tonight to enjoy this hugh acheivement before starting to stress over the 1822. Although, I would like to hear the deal too.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
That's a very good question that I wish I had the answer to...and I've asked enough to know it's time to stop asking. for now.
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
Now, can we quit asking why we didn't add the XF45 example of the 54-S to the set?
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
Congrats!! That was awesome to watch.
That's wonderful news John and for the record I never asked Dell Loy about the 54-S in XF45, he obviously knew sometime ago what he wanted. John it seems to me your having too much fun! How high would you have gone? I thought the coin was worth 3 million easy. As you said, a perfect storm...
Did Hansen pick up any other items in the Pogue sale?
Count Down 13 in Eliasberg Quest
The Legendary Finest Known 1854-S Half Eagle
1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58+ (PCGS) CAC Approved
7th coin in last Box of 20…… Present Box Value = $4,180,800
I thought I would be posting this update in August 2018. I actually starting writing the posting and it would have been countdown coin #28. As many of you know, the Wolfson-DuPont-Rediscovery Specimen was sold by Heritage at the ANA Auction in Philadelphia. I predicted that Mr. Hansen would purchase the coin being the rarity of the issue (I no longer make predictions). Indeed, David Lawrence Rare Coins (which Mr. Hansen is a partner) purchased the coin for $2,160,000. Overnight, an offer was made to DLRC and after a discussion with Mr. Hansen; the coin was sold the next morning for an undisclosed price in a private transaction. With only two known private owned coins, very seldom one comes to auction. As a matter of record, only 5 times the 1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle has been in auction since mintage over 165 years ago (Note: two in the last three years). So, quite a few folks (me included) second guessed Mr. Hansen decision on selling the coin. In hindsight, what a bold decision to let go of that coin. This is the end of that story line. Mr. Hansen wrote a new one on Friday night in The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage Auction.
There are only 13 coins left in Eliasberg Quest. Also, The PCGS Hall of Fame U.S. Coins Complete Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1792-present) is nearing completion. The set only has 2 coins remaining. One of the remaining coins is the 1798 "Small Eagle" Half Eagle. We have identified only two nice PCGS gradable specimens. There are two other problem coins in PCGS – Genuine holders. The other missing coin is the Eliasberg-Pogue 1822 Half Eagle. There is no indication when this coin will be available for purchase. The other eleven coins are on the list below.
There is a great story pertaining to the first coins produced at the San Francisco Mint. It is too long to discuss here, but I would encourage you look it up and read about that first year. David Hall wrote this about the 1854-S Half Eagle: One of the great gold rarities, but not one of the better known. There are only three known examples, one of which has been in the Smithsonian since 1970. Consequently, the 1854-S $5 seldom is offered for sale, and perhaps this is the reason it doesn't get the publicity that other, more frequently traded, ultra-rarities receive. In fact, the last public auction appearance of an 1854-S half eagle was at the October, 1982 Eliasberg sale. The finest known is the Eliasberg coin, which I thought graded AU58 when I first saw it at the Eliasberg sale in 1982. In around 1998, John Dannreuther and I had the opportunity to view an incredible collection which included this coin. At the time we both felt that PCGS would grade the coin AU58. Louis Eliasberg purchased his coin from the F.C.C. Boyd sale in January, 1946. The Colonel Green-Wolfson-Norweb coin is estimated to be EF45 (I believe this to be the re-discovery coin). The Newcomer-Colonel Green-King Farouk-Lilly coin donated to the Smithsonian is estimated to be EF40ish.
I think most would agree with me when I say I was surprise the coin sold for less than $2 Million. There was a rumor at one time that the Pogue family asking price was $8 Million. I am not certain that was ever the case, but I certainly would have thought this specimen would have brought more than it did in Stacks Bowers Auction. Honesty, maybe the current economic environment played a factor. In any case, it turned out to be a great purchase and Mr. Hansen made a bold decision on the other 1854-S that paid off.
Maybe current economic environment was not all that was at play here. The coin is ranked #22 as the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. A pretty low ranking for this rarity in my opinion. As previously stated David Hall wrote: ... doesn't get the publicity that other, more frequently traded, ultra-rarities receive. In hindsight, there was not much discussion about the coin on this forum the past few months. There was some, but not nearly as much conversation that the other specimen received two years ago. If the coin was overlooked, it turned out to be an advantage for the D. L. Hansen Collection. That is a buyer dream, am I right?
Last comment before we look at the coin. It appear both DL Hansen and John Brush was very excited about this coin. Last January, they won the 1885 Trade Dollar Ex: Atwater-Eliasberg for a little less than $4 Million Dollars. The excitement motivated them to add nine rare countdown coins in the following nine months. Being they paid a little less than $2 Million for this coin, what kind of motivation could we see from the excitement generated this year? Four more countdown coins in the next nine months would be great. I just hope this is not the last that we see in 2020.
1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58+ (PCGS). CAC
This coin can be summed up by just saying it is a Great Specimen! David Bowers in a catalog description from the 1982 Eliasberg sale called the coin “The Boyd Coin”. The pedigree has more notable collectors than F.C.C. Boyd. David Akers and Walter Breen wrote this: This piece first surfaced in the hands of F.C.C. Boyd, one of the most prominent collectors of the two decades culminating in 1945. Boyd, owner of the Union News Company (which maintained newstands and sales facilities in railroad stations), was one of the most prominent collectors of this era. He also dabbled in coin dealing, running advertisements in The Numismatist and elsewhere. In 1945 and 1946 his coins were offered at auction by Numismatic Gallery (Abe Kosoff and Abner Kreisberg). The offering was billed as 'The World's Greatest Collection.' Appearing as Lot 543 in the event held in January 1946, the coin sold for a record price to the former owner of the collection now offered [Eliasberg]. David Akers notes 'it was conservatively graded Extremely Fine when catalogued for The World's Greatest Collection, but most dealers would call it at least Choice AU.' David Akers goes on to say that the coin offered here is 'considerably the better of the other two.'
The recent Stacks Bowers catalog description: This is the finest known 1854-S half eagle. Neither of the other examples confirmed to exist comes close. Its surfaces are lustrous and bright, with freshness of metal seen in protected areas of the obverse and across the reverse that can be neither recreated nor mistaken. Both sides are somewhat reflective. The obverse cartwheel is unbroken, suggesting a coin that has resisted the perils of circulation. The reverse cartwheel is resplendent and complete, richly abloom as it looked within the granite walls of the San Francisco Mint. Both sides display the rich sunlit yellow familiar to those who have seen Eliasberg coins, even and bright, untrammeled by ill-advised efforts at improvement.
This may not be the best or most valuable coin in the D. L. Hansen Collection, but it was a big time achievement to add to the collection. Mr. Hansen goal is to obtain The Greatest Collection of US Coins Ever Assembled. Then, the Eliasberg legacy is in the crosshairs to be able to achieve this difficult and problematic goal. From the Stacks Bowers catalog description: 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, spectacular freshness and unsurpassed quality in preference to coins that hover beneath the ultimate tier of quality. Was this wrote particular for Hansen to read? If so, the purchase of this coin is a big step to get the D. L. Hansen Collection in the discussion.
Provenance: The F.C.C. Boyd Collection; Numismatic Gallery's (Abe Kosoff and Abner Kreisberg) sale of the World's Great Collection, January 1946, lot 543; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. estate, 1976; Louis E. Eliasberg Jr.; (Bowers and Ruddy's) sale of the United States Gold Coin Collection, October 1982, lot 471; (Stacks Bowers) The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage, March 2020, Session 7, Lot 7335; D.L. Hansen Collection
1854-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58+ (PCGS) CAC
The Legendary Finest Known 1854-S Half Eagle
The F.C.C. Boyd Specimen, Ex: Eliasberg-Pogue
Certification #28572787 / PCGS #8260 / POP 1/0
PCGS Price Guide Value: $2,750,000 / Realized 3/20/2020: $1,920,000
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There are 13 remaining coins in the Eliasberg Quest. The two coins shown in BOLD are required to complete the Hall of Fame "Complete 1792 to Present Registry Set". The remaining 11 coins are required for a Historically Complete US Collection equal to the accomplishment that Louis Eliasberg achieved around 1950.
1870-S Half Dime (Unique Coin in Tom Bender PCGS Registry Collection)
1873-CC "No Arrows" Dime (Unique Coin in an anonymous collection)
1870-S Three Dollar Only (Unique Coin owned by the Bass Foundation displayed at the ANA)
1866 "No Motto" Dollar Proof Only (2 Minted, Unique Private Coin in Simpson Collection)
1933 Double Eagle (Known Survival 16, Unique Legally Owned Coin - anonymous collection)
1822 Half Eagle (Survival 3, Unique Private Owned Coin in the Pogue Collection)
1798 "Small Eagle" Half Eagle (Survival 7, possibly 2 nice examples could be purchased)
1913 Liberty Head Nickel Proof Only (5 Minted, 3 private owned)
1838-0 Half Dollar BM Only (Survival 9, six known for private purchase)
1827 "Original" Quarter Dollar Proof Only (Survival 9)
1880 Four Dollar Gold "Stella’s" (Coiled Hair) Proof Only (Survival 8)
1880 Four Dollar Gold "Stella’s" (Flowing Hair) Proof Only (Survival 24)
1839 Gobrecht Original Dollar (Survival 60-75) Note: DLH has an 1839 Restrike #32225780
“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” Alexander The Great
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
The price paid for the 54-S seems like a great deal - finest and nice looking. I am surprised but not surprised as it requires at least 2 motivated collectors. I can't image a dealer buying for inventory especially at this time.
It was a great deal! So much so that I was tempted to bid!
Latin American Collection
How many times?
Not many!
Latin American Collection
I think the Hansen purchase of the 1854-s half eagle in AU 58+ is the perfect example of something that has been discussed previously. When someone is critical of a purchase or a non purchase by Hansen remember that this is a constantly changing collection. There are always upgrades and purchases that were not expected. So those critical of his not purchasing the previous 1854-s should see that what they perceived as a mistake is now a strength. Further, Hansen is showing he is not someone who can be held hostage fora particular coin---he can be patient. He can wait for the right coin and the right opportunity.
Currin, many thanks for the continued coverage.
One could see Hansen getting down to about five coins, but some serious alignment in the stars would be required to get the whole set. Or when you get close enough maybe you make an insane offer on a "package deal" with all owners having to agree.
It’s my understanding that Mr. Hansen did purchase the previous 1854-S $5 in partnership, but very shortly thereafter, sold it.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Let me rephrase---those critical that he did not keep it.
who picked up the $2.5 1854-S and $2.5 1841. Both of them seemed to go at reasonable prices relative to rarity and condition. Do folks agree?
Absolutely. People were critical of that sale. And his new acquisition proves that he is 2 steps ahead of all of us.
I could not agree more about the steps ahead comment. His collection is not a static group of coins. Just because a coin is purchased that some may be less than thrilled with does not mean that coin will end up being "the coin". If anyone has proven the ability to upgrade it is Mr. Hansen. Likewise, those critical of a missed opportunity should realize often there are more opportunities and sometimes you can make more opportunities. Mr. Hansen has shown he will not be pushed into a corner. Good for him!
Do the coins with the D.L. Hansen pedigree command premiums?
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore...
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Yes, I have no way to know the exact number, but at least 50 or more Pogue coins were picked up, including about 10 Washington Quarter replacements, approx. 16 Barber Quarters. There is a new Near-Gem Quarter Eagle. The beautiful 1863 Seated Dollar and a few other olds and ends. I would assume some coins were purchased for his #2 Sets, but I don’t watch them. I will plan to cover some of these purchases in the near future. They are on my list of to-do items.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Updates from ESM Collection of Half Cents
This posting is about early coppers in Half Cents denomination. Peter Miller is one of the icons of early coppers collectors. He have PCGS Hall of Fame Sets in Half Cents and Large Cents. He featured his ESM Collection of Half Cents in Stacks Bowers March 2020 Rarities Night Auction. SBG wrote this in a recent press release: The ESM Collection is one of the most significant half cent cabinets offered by Stack’s Bowers Galleries in recent years. It is ranked #2 Current Finest on the PCGS Registry in categories Half Cents Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1793-1857) and Half Cents with Major Varieties Circulation Strikes. This complete set of half cents by Guide Book variety was a magnet of interest when exhibited at major conventions over the last several months. That interest was on full display as the ESM Collection opened the Rarities Night Session of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries March 2020 Auction. The release indicated the collection “Tops the Million Dollar Mark During Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Rarities Night Sale”. Judging by recent updates, it appears Mr. Hansen purchased at least 12 coins from this great collection paying out a minimum of $194,120.
Prior to the sale, The D. L. Hansen Collection of Half Cents was missing five coins in the Major Variety Set. He purchased four of the five coins in ESM Collection Auction. PCGS valued the four coins at $260,000 and Mr. Hansen was able to acquire them for $151,000. The most valuable coin in Hansen’s purchase, was the 1796 Half Cent No Pole, VG10BN that realized $66,000. This near completes the 54 piece set with the only missing hole belonging to 1797 Gripped Edge Variety Half Cent. I would assume Mr. Hansen was the under bidder on this coin. The coin realized $90,000. Mr. Hansen will need to continue his search for a specimen.
He also purchased eight upgrade coins. The total purchased based on his recent set revision was 12 coins. He does not appear to have done as well with the upgrades as he did with the new purchases. He paid a total of $142,920 for the eight coins that PCGS valued at only $117,000. The prized upgrade was the 1795 Half Cent PE Punctuated Date MS62BN that realized $43,000. PCGS values this coin in MS62BN at only $22,500. There must be something that Mr. Hansen really likes about this coin.
The Collection has a long way to go before it can be mention in the same sentence with the All-Time Hall of Fame Set, The Missouri Cabinet. Also, not even close the current Hall of Fame Set by Jim McGuigan. His set will soon be approaching 20 years for dominance of the PCGS Registry. At this point, Mr. Hansen is attempting to assemble a complete collection of half cents. He is only one coin away from doing just that.
1794 Half Cent “C-1a Large Edge Letters”, MS62BN
This is a really high end upgrade to this collection. PCGS Population for all die marriages of the issue is eight, with one finer (MS-66 BN finest). For “C-1a” attribution only, PCGS Population is one with two finer in this category (MS-64+ BN finest). SBG described the coin as: This is a remarkably well preserved example of this underrated type. Hard satin surfaces are toned in handsome antique copper patina, with a few swirls of intermingled autumn-brown evident. Overall quite smooth for both the type and the assigned grade. A thin, shallow graze is noted in the obverse field immediately below Liberty's portrait.
As stated earlier, Mr. Hansen paid almost twice the PCGS value for this specimen. He must have seen something special in the coin.
Provenance: Provenance: From the ESM Collection. Earlier from Heritage's FUN Signature Sale of January 1998, lot 6142.
Exceptional 1794 C-1a Half Cent
1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent
C-1a. Rarity-2. Normal Head, Large Edge Letters, MS-62 BN (PCGS)
Certification #21757454, PCGS #35018
PCGS Price Guide Value: $22,500 / Realized $43,200
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1796 Half Cent No Pole, BN VG10BN
There may be three of these coins in mint state condition. This is not one of them. According to PCGS, the survival estimate for this coin is 29 for all specimens (gradable and non). Only 10 are certified by PCGS and the finest specimen is an absolute amazing monster coin. Guess who owned it? Here is what David Hall wrote: The incredible MS67RB from the Louis Eliasberg collection is one of the great copper coins of all-time. This coin is the only 1796 no pole half cent I've ever seen that has any Red color. And I only know of one other 1796 no pole in mint state condition, a PCGS grade MS62BN. The MS67RB sold at the Eliasberg sale in 1996 for $506,000. What a coin! PCGS places the value at $775,000. Our expert Ron Guth wrote: Less than thirty 1796 No Pole Half Cents are known but, of those, three are Uncirculated. The finest example is the PCGS MS67 Red and Brown from the Eliasberg collection, which sold in 1996 for a record $506,000. That particular example is a member of the Million Dollar Coin Club. This coin is presently in very strong hands as it is tucked away in High Desert Collection. One of the other mint states (MS63BN PCGS) is in the Jim McGuigan Collection.
At a PCGS VG10 grade, only six have been certified better. It appears that maybe Hansen ended up purchasing this coin at a bargain. PCGS valued the coin at $115,000 and Mr. Hansen was able to hammer the coin at $66,000. Is there is more of story around the grade dropping on the coin? SBG described the coin as: Both sides exhibit dark steely-brown patina, near ebony, with deep olive highlights in areas. While the surfaces are not perfect, with fine granularity yielding to several scattered pits, they are also not unattractive. A few old, dull scratches are noted behind Liberty's cap and vertically at the central reverse. You have any thoughts on this purchased?
Provenance: From the ESM Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's and American Numismatic Rarities') Medio and Da Costa Gomez Collections sale, June 2004, lot 2083. The coin was certified Fine-15 by ANACS at the time of that sale, and our cataloger further noted that it had previously been certified both Fine-15 and Fine-12 by PCGS.
Bold and Inviting 1796 No Pole Half Cent
A Classic Rarity, Only 25 to 30 Known
1796 Liberty Cap Half Cent
C-1. Rarity-6-. No Pole. VG-10 (PCGS)
Certification #14656376, PCGS #1030
PCGS Price Guide Value: $115,000 / Realized $66,000
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
To my knowledge the 1796 no pole
Eliasberg coin was in the Oliver Jung type set . I believe it is offered for sale by Joe O’Conner unless High Desert bought it . The MS 62 1796
No pole resides in the Don Partrick
Collection and should be offered for sale after he passes.
High Desert owns the 1796 no pole
from the Missouri cabinet
graded ms 65 bn
Thanks for additional information. Stewart, you are correct. High Desert has the finest BN, not the million dollar RB. That one is probably in that RedCopper guys’ set.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Updates from Srotag Collection of Barber Quarters
The D. L. Hansen Collection of Barber Coinage has achieved a great success in little over three years. Mr. Hansen was able to fast track the half dollars with some key purchases of high graded sets. He was able to obtain many of the specimens when the Perfection Collection of Half Dollars was offered. The dimes and quarter dollars have been more of a coin by coin challenge. He is in second place in the dime and quarter dollar major sets below, but as you can see, there are some very strong and well established collections in first place. The Blay Barber Dime set established the top spot for the first time in 2009. This collection, along RSD and Simpson, are very dug into their top spots. Unless these top sets goes to market, the future expectations for the D. L. Hansen Collection is to just add a coin or two when available.
Barber Set Leaders
Barber Dimes Basic Set, Circulation Strikes -Stewart Blay (5-2009)
Barber Dimes, Proof – RSD (11-2018)
Barber Quarters Basic Set, Circulation Strikes – RSD (6/2018)
Barber Quarters, Proof – Simpson Collection (12-2014)
Barber Half Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes – D. L. Hansen Collection (7/2018)
Barber Half Dollars, Proof – D. L. Hansen Collection (9/2018)
Our fellow community member, Srotag, recently placed a few of his coins on the market. His collection contains several nice and high graded specimens. I have identified that Mr. Hansen snagged three very nice Barber Quarters. There may have been more, but the ones that were most obvious were these three. The coins were offered in GreatCollections Auctions in late February. He made these purchase before the recent Pogue Sale. Of the three coins, one was higher graded than specimen offered by Pogue, and the other two tied.
The three upgrades do not move the Hansen Collection up the ranking. The Barber Quarters Basic, Circulation Strikes set remains in third place overall. Hansen’s 74-piece set trails retired Perfection Set, which is in second place. The second place set is within reach, but the RSD Set is probably not catchable. Let’s take a peek at the three coins.
1895-S Barber Quarter Dollar MS67
This is a PCGS POP 1/0 coin. In a previous Stacks Bowers Auction, the coin is listed as 1895-S/S Barber Quarter, Lawrence-101, Repunched Mintmark. I am by far from being a Barber Quarter specialist. What I see in CoinFacts, PCGS does not distinguish the varieties. PCGS POP Report only lists only the PCGS #5612 basic coin. Our resident expert Ron Guth wrote this: As with the 1893-S and 1894-S Quarter Dollars, the 1895-S is found with the mintmark in two positions: one with the S above the space between the R of QUARTER and the D of DOLLAR and another with the S above the left edge of the D. Apparently, the first variety (S between the R and D) is the scarcer of the two. Not an expect like Ron, but this coin looks like it may be the second more common variety.
The coin realized $19,687.50 in the GreatCollection Auction, Feb 23, 2020. As you know, GCA listings do not usually include a description. In the Stacks Bowers 2012 Auction: Bathed in billowy mint frost, both sides are also veiled in lovely champagne-gold iridescence. There are no detracting abrasions, and even the most intricate elements of the design are fully struck. One of numerous important Barber quarter offerings in this sale, and a piece that would serve as a highlight in the finest set.
1897-S Barber Quarter Quarter MS66+
This is a PCGS POP 2/2 coin. In a previous Legend Auction, the coin is listed as a 1897-S PCGS MS66+ CAC from the Premier Barber Collection. Ron Guth wrote this: The 1897-S Quarter Dollar is found with the mintmark in two positions: one with the S above the space between the R of QUARTER and the D of DOLLAR and another with the S above the left edge of the D. Apparently, the first variety (S between the R and D) is the scarcer of the two.
The coin realized $24,187.50 in the GreatCollection Auction, Feb 23, 2020. As you know, GCA listings do not usually include a description. In the Legend 2018 Auction: WOW! This coin is AMAZING! There really is a lot to LOVE about this SUPERB GEM. Conditionally rare in these lofty grades, of the original mintage of 542,229, there are very few coins that survive in such high grades. Tied for second finest graded at PCGS. The fields show flashy, semi-prooflike that beam with icy brilliance. The devices are totally frosty and well struck, showing off a very pleasing cameo-like contrast. Framing both sides is a narrow band of blue, orange, amber, gold, around the rims, making the brilliant silvery centers stand out even more. A few tiny marks can be seen with a strong glass, but they do not affect the SUPERB eye appeal of this impressive GEM! The Pogue PCGS MS66+ sold last week for $15,600 last week. PCGS valued the coin at $19,800, so the new Hansen coin was purchased at a premium.
1904 Barber Quarter Dollar MS67
This is a PCGS POP 2/0 coin. It has been a decade since the last appearance of this coin, Heritage 2009 Auction. The coin was listed as Delightful MS67 1904 Quarter from The Joseph C. Thomas Collection.
The coin realized $10,687.50 in the GreatCollection Auction, Feb 23, 2020. As you know, GCA listings do not usually include a description. In the Heritage 2009 Auction: Boldly struck with deep, satiny brilliance. Although minted in significant numbers (over 14 million pieces), the 1904 is more difficult in Mint State than the typical P-mint Barber quarter and is infrequently found at the Gem level. This is the lone MS67 example known to PCGS (2/09), making it a Registry collector essential. PCGS values this coin at $9,000. So, Mr. Hansen paid a slight premium for this coin. Unlike last coin, the Pogue MS67 specimen went through the roof at $26,400.
1897-S Quarter Dollar, MS66+ CAC
An Important Condition Rarity, POP 2/2
WOW! This coin is AMAZING! (Legend)
Certification #25389080, PCGS #5618
PCVG: $19,800 - GreatCollection Auction: $24,187.50
Provenance: Heritage 2013 US Coins Signature Auction - Long Beach, Lot#1189; The Premier Barber Collection- Legend Rare Coin Auctions, May 2018, Lot 267; Srotag Collection - GreatCollection Auction, Feb 23, 2020 – D. L. Hansen Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I'd love to have a couple of his 2nd set coins & I would pay a premium if he ever decides to dump some saints.
So far as I know, that has not happened yet.
My Saint Set
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Interesting, He presently have over 500 coins for sale. There are a hand full on Liberty Double Eagles but no Saints. I will say this. For the longest of time, Mr. Hansen did not offer any of his duplicates for sale. I understand the main reason, while building his sets, he really don’t know what he wants to keep. This may be the situation with the Saints. The series may be in early development, so everything is a keeper right now.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Another Pogue Update
As I have stated before, I believe the little things are what makes this Collection special. There are several other great collections. We have seen bias comparisons made by specialists in the community that ranks the D.L. Hansen Collection toward the bottom of the Top 10 for collectors. Most, if not all the other collections, have a specialty area that they are focus on. In my opinion, what makes the Hansen Collection different; there is not a specialty. I see that every coin is special and have great significance, from this Pogue coin to the two million dollar 1854-S Half Eagle purchased in the same auction. I am not trying to say the Liberty Dollar has the same significance as the 54-S, rather than the specimen is important enough for Mr. Hansen to spend $108,000 to uprade the collection. He already had a very high grade 1863 Seated Liberty Dollar with an impeccable provenance that worked well in the collection. This upgrade was not required, but appears Mr. Hansen’s unsatisfiable desired to improve the collection is driving this collection better and better. Where is the end game? Is it 100% Top 5 Condition Census Specimens? If so, this upgrade was not needed.
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Couple weeks prior to the auction I featured this 1863 Pogue-Dawson-Gugenheim MS67 with Hansen’s 1862 Hansen-Morelan-Share Specimen. When I saw the coin, it was something about the coin that I felt would interest Mr. Hansen. For one, the coin improves two of his sets that I know he spends a lot of resources on. This new Pogue coin will improve both the #1 All-Time Seated Liberty Dollar set and his Civil War era collection. I did not predict that Mr. Hansen would bid on the coin, because I have been told that my predictions can influence auction results.
By the pictures, I have to admit that the two coins look great together. I would love to get an invitation to see them side-by-side.
1863 Liberty Seated dollars MS67 PCGS, Pogue-Dawson-Gugenheim Specimen
Thanks to Bruce Morelan (TDN) for providing the provenance for the Pogue specimen. From the coin’s early toning, I thought the Pogue and Moreland coins could be from the same cabinet. If that is the case as Bruce stated, “they were stored together was prior to 1953”. The coins do have a look that they could belong together and it was great to see that Mr. Hansen was successful in acquiring the specimen. I did ask John Brush a couple days prior to the sale what was his thoughts on the coin. His response was just one word, “interesting”. I translated that to be, “Great Coin, Love it”.
The Stacks Bowers description called the coin ‘Stunning”. I am pretty confident the picture does not do justice for the coin. If any of you have seen the coin in hand, let us know what your thoughts are. Would you use the word, “stunning”? The description indicated: This richly and originally toned Superb Gem is truly lovely, with warm steel and pewter gray patina and exceptional undertones of vivid cobalt blue and lilac-purple. Fully struck, highly lustrous, and virtually pristine.
Mr. Hansen was able to acquire this Pogue Specimen for $108,000. SBG placed the estimate at $95,000 - $120,000. So, the sale price was in the middle of the estimate range. This is interesting; PCGS places the guide price at $200,000. This is quite a bit of difference. The new Hansen coin sets a new auction record price. The previous record was from a 2005 Bowers & Merena Auction for a MS66 PCGS that realized $62,100. I will restate this is a very nice addition.
Stunning Superb Gem 1863 Silver Dollar
Finest Certified by+M314 PCGS
1863 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar. OC-1. Rarity-3
Certification #38634068, PCGS #6953
PCVG: $200,000 / Realized $108,000
Provenance: From the D. Brent Pogue Collection, March 2020 Auction - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage – Lot 7305; Ex: IIRC, Andre Dawson; Jascha Heifetz sale where it said the consignor owned it for 36 years after purchasing it from the 1953 Gugenheim sale (TDN)
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Beautiful Seated Dollar!
There was a time that I would have paid $300k for that coin if it was all there. Price realized and no sticker makes me think it might not be. But great coin nonetheless
Why didn’t the coin sticker?
That's really pretty blue toning, but I'm not sure it comes naturally, especially that uniform over both sides of the coin. But I have not seen it inhand, so my guess is just that--a guess.
Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Final Wrap Up!
A couple weeks ago, I post the last part of a ten part series. The final posting was delayed last Sunday due to covering the big Pogue purchase. In this challenge, I used a coin listing based on a Doug Winter article. I found the article in CoinWeek dated October 31, 2016. The article was titled: Classic US Coins – 50 US Gold Issues with the “Wow” Factor. He presented 50 golds coins that have strong demand levels and could be called trophy coins. He excluded coins consider too rare, like the 1822 and 1854-S half eagles. When doing these challenges, I really don’t look ahead and have no clue how the results will turn out. In fact, the results are not of the upmost importance, rather discovering Hansen Specimens that has not been shown before. So, this final posting will summarized what we discovered.
We discovered that The D. L. Hansen Collection represented 47 of the 50 coins on Doug Winter’s WOW list. The final three coins on the list were territorial gold. These coins are not something that Mr. Hansen has “ever had interest in”. Could that change over the next several years as the collection expand? Maybe, or maybe not. Only the time will tell for sure.
We discovered the 47 Hansen coins featured in this challenge had a total value of $11,609,000. This results in the average per coin value of $247,000. We recently saw a well promoted gold collection that highlighted with the average value of $166,000. That collection has about six times the number of coins that were in this Hansen Challenge, so I am not implying a direct comparison can be made. What I am implying that the 47 coins that we saw in Hansen’s collection have a significant value, but represent a small portion of the Hansen Collection.
Also, we discovered some really high end coins that are the finest known specimens. Below are ten coins that I will showcase. The first nine are all PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens. The last coin shown is not a POP 1/0, rather rare Double Eagle that belongs to the PCGS Million Dollar Coin Club.
In closing, this has been a fun experiment. This is the second challenge that I have featured in the past two years. I have done these challenges over the slow period before the spring shows and auctions gets in full swing. I believe this Eliasberg-Hansen challenge will be my last. I am planning to try something new next winter. Without revealing too much, I am considering a feature that will look at the Hansen Collection and determine the weakest to the strongest series. This is based on a question that I have been asked several times over the past two years. The answer is not as simple as you may think.
So, let’s conclude this feature with these 10 coins, because we are going to have a lot of new material to watch. Also, I believe we have reached a point that we should take a harder look at the Major Varieties. Keep watching. Enjoy.
1863 Quarter Eagle, DCAM PR66+ DCAM (Gold Shield)
PCGS POP 1/0, Estimate price $200,000
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1798 $5 BD-4 Large 8, 13 St Rev. MS63 (Gold Shield)
PCGS POP 1/0, Estimate price $65,000
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1821 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. Bass Dannreuther-1. Rarity-6+. Mint State-66+ (PCGS)
PCGS POP 1/0, PCGS Price Guide: $675,000 / Stacks-Bowers Auction 5/2016: $564,000
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1826 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. Bass Dannreuther-1. Rarity-5. Mint State-66+ (PCGS)
PCGS POP 1/0, PCGS Price Guide: $575,000 / Stacks-Bowers Auction 5/2016: $446,500
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1829 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. Large Diameter. Bass Dannreuther-1. Rarity-7
PCGS POP 1/0, PCGS Price Guide: $850,000 / Stacks-Bowers Auction 5/2016: $$763,750
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1829 Reduced Diameter, Bass Dannreuther-2, Rarity-7. Mint State-65+
PCGS POP 1/0, PCGS Price Guide Value $950,000, Stacks-Bowers Auction 5/2016: $881,250
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1863 Eagle MS63 (Gold Shield)
PCGS POP 1/0, PCGS Price Guide Value $200,000
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1854-O Double Eagle AU58 (Gold Shield)
PCGS POP 1/0, PCGS Price Guide Value $750,000
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1856-O Double eagle AU58+ (Gold Shield)
PCGS POP 1/0, PCGS Price Guide Value $600,000 plus
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1927-D Double Eagle PCGS MS635 POP 1/8
PCGS Million Dollar Coin Club
PCGS POP 1/0, PCGS Price Guide Value $1,400.000
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Another Pogue Update
This Pogue Masterpiece is an upgrade to the Liberty Seated Half Dimes Collection. As you probably know, The Hansen Collection is playing second fiddle to the Tom Bender Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dimes. The Bender Collection has the unique 1870-S Half Dime along with 19 PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens. In comparison, the recent Pogue POP 1/0 Specimen increases Mr. Hansen’s count to nine. It appear that between Bender’s 19 and Hansen’s 9, they have all the POP 1/0 Specimens except a couple, maybe three. Due to the bonus point factor, there is no chance of Hansen Collection rising to the top of this series.
Although, Mr. Hansen cannot achieve first fiddle, he still have some impressive half dimes. He has the sole finest type for Liberty Seated Half Dime, No Drapery. The coin was purchased last year from Jung Type Collection, which I believe to be the greatest Type Set ever assembled (particular in PCGS era). YOS showed us this one of a kind coin a few days ago and discussed the toning which he called bullseye, some could call target.
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This new Pogue Half Dime has similar bullseye toning. As you know, Mr. Hansen does not purchase every POP 1/0 Specimen that becomes available. This has created frustration for several owners that think their coin should be an automatic purchase at a premiums price. I have come to believe that it’s not just the price, but also the appeal that makes or breaks the deal. I feel I have become familiar to Mr. Hansen’s eye and in some cases able to predict his desire for a particular coin. I think this Pogue has “The Look” that catches the eye of the one that makes the decisions.
1866-S Half Dime MS67 PCGS, Pogue – Hansen Specimen
As describe above, this is another stunning addition to the D. L. Hansen Collection from the D. Brent Pogue Collection. The bullseye toning was described by Stacks Bowers as: This target-toned beauty exhibits crimson red, sea green, cobalt blue, lilac-blue and golden-orange colors from the rims to the centers. It is well struck with bold to sharp detail throughout the design and displays full, smooth frosty luster….. Residing at the very top of this very small population of Gems is the Pogue coin, which is the sole example graded MS-67 by PCGS. This is an extraordinary little coin.
The Pogue coin is a great compliment to Hansen’s sole finest by type specimen. The coin was not purchase as a great deal or discount. SBG estimated the coin value between $6,000 - $8,000. PCGV was given to be $12,500. The coin sold for $15,600, so it appear Mr. Hansen was willing to pay a premium for this spectacular CAC Approved Specimen. Although, this coin cannot assist in the Hansen Liberty Seated Half Dimes Collection reaching the top spot, the coin is a very nice addition to the collection.
Exceptional Superb Gem 1866-S Half Dime
Finest Certified at PCGS, POP 1/0
1866-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. MS-67, CAC
Certification #38634026, PCGS #4389
PCVG: $12,500 / Realized $15,600
Provenance: From the D. Brent Pogue Collection, March 2020 Auction - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage – Lot 7041
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I tried hard to buy that 66-S half dime. Killer coin. Congratulations Mr. Hansen!
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
Updates from Red’s Silver Quarters
About this time last year, we were discussing if the Hansen Collection could make an impact in the Washington Quarter Series. What a difference a year can make. The Washington Quarter Dollars have been some of the more aggressive sets that we have seen Mr. Hansen assembled. As we speak, the D. L. Hansen Collection of Washington Quarter Dollars has 18 All-Time #1 Sets. All are 100% complete. The “silver set from 1932 to 1964” is the focal of the discussion today.
With the recent updates, The Hansen Collection upgraded 13 WQ coins. The basic set had nine upgrades and the Major Varieties set replaced four specimens. The Hansen’s Silver sets for both Basic and Major Varieties were already #1 All-Time. The Hansen Collection achieved this status September 2019. These upgrades make the best even better. Twelve of the upgrades are from the R. L. Redmond’s “Red’s Silver Sets”. He retired the #3 All-Time Basic Set, the #2 All-Time Classic Set, and the #5 All-Time Major Varieties Set. David Lawrence Rare Coins featured these Washington quarter sets in a Sunday Auction on March 22, 2020. The auction featured the Red's Silver Washington Quarter Collection. 123 beautiful, registry-quality Washington quarters are available for bidding, many of them with No Reserve…. Red’s Silver Washington Quarter Collection is currently ranked as the #2 PCGS Set Registry for Silver Washington Quarters with Major Varieties. This collection was painstakingly pieced together by a longtime collector who focused on quality and eye appeal with each and every coin. In fact, 95 of the individual coins have garnered the coveted CAC seal of Approval for quality. The highlights of the collection include numerous absolute Finest Graded examples from PCGS, and several key dates that are virtually impossible to improve upon in any way, shape or form. Quite a few of the coins in this collection also bear the pedigrees of royalty within the Washington Quarter collecting categories. Mr. Hansen was the successful bidder on at least 12 coins for his primary sets. He may have purchased more if he added any to his duplicate sets.
I believe the only Washington Quarter Dollar purchased for The Hansen Collection from the Pogue sale was the 1954-D MS67+ PCGS. This is an indication of just how spectacular the Hansen Washington specimens are. The Pogue 1954-D has stunning toning. The Rainbow Collections is one of the more magnificent toning collections of Washingtons. The Pogue 1954-D would look great in that collection, but it will more than likely reside in the Hansen Collection for the foreseeable future.
Superb Gem 1954-D Washington, None Graded Finer by PCGS, From D. Brent Pogue Collection
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1932-S Washington Quarter Dollar MS66 PCGS, CAC Approved
I had a couple ways that I could go in deciding which coin to feature. The 1943-D MS68 PCGS POP 1/0 Specimen would have been a nice choice. The coin realized $15,250. At the end of the day, I went with the rare key date issue 1932-S. The coin reached a new Auction Record in the David Lawrence RC sale when the coin realized $45,500. The specimen broke its own record. The previous record was $35,250 in a Heritage January 2013 FUN Signature Auction in Orlando. In the sale, the provenance was attributed to The David Poole Collection of Silver Washington Quarters. The coin was described as: a significant condition rarity at the MS66 level. This broadly luminous example has pale gold, lavender, and blue hues washing over each side. A typically soft strike is of little consequence, as are any marks.
David Hall wrote this on the 1932-S: The 1932-S is the lowest mintage (408,000) of the entire Washington quarter series, and along with its 1932-D counterpart, it is one of the most in-demand key dates of the 20th century. This is a coin that has been sought after in all grades since the 1950s. Interestingly, though the 1932-S and 1932-D are virtually the same rarity in circulated grades, mint state 1932-Ds are nearly twice as rare as 1932-Ss. Nonetheless, an Uncirculated 1932-S Washington quarter is a great coin and gem MS65s are quite rare.
In DLRC description, the CAC Approval was pointed out: Wonderfully original gem that is bested by no other examples! In fact, only 3 examples have garnered the coveted CAC seal of approval. Lustrous surfaces gleam beneath delicate patina of russet and pale blue. Fantastic details and great eye appeal. Along with the 1932-D, the 32-S is one of the set-stoppers of the regular issue WQ set. CAC approved for quality. Tied for finest known with four other examples at PCGS.
The D. L. Hansen Collection invested a total of $158,500 in the twelve Red’s Silver quarter dollars. These upgrades may have positioned Hansen’s Washington Quarter Basic Silver set out of reach of the #2 Rainbow and #3 Wondercoin Collections. Maybe not. This gives Hansen his third PCGS POP 1/0 Specimen. Rainbow has four! Unless Rainbow is sandbagging his new purchases, he has not updated anything from the Red’s Silver or Pogue sales. In addition, Wondercoin has one POP 1/0 specimen. The top three collections can account for only eight of the known 16 POP 1/0 coins. Where are the remaining eight? Are they in a hidden away monster set?
Fantastic MS66 1932-S Quarter, PCGS POP 5/0
A Key-Date Registry Set Essential
1932-S 25C MS66 PCGS Secure, CAC Approved
Certification #16537838, PCGS #5792
PCVG: $32,500 – DLRC Auction: $45,500
Provenance: The David Poole Collection - Heritage 2013 US Coins Signature Auction - Long Beach, Lot #5606; - Red’s Silver Collection - David Lawrence RC Auctions, 3/2020 – D. L. Hansen Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Another Pogue Update
It appears from the updates that D. L. Hansen Collection acquired a few Pogue Coins from a broad array of denominations. This update features a quarter eagle. It may have been the only quarter eagle in the purchase, and it is a nice one. The year 1870 may be the most difficult mint set of all times. PCGS describe the mint set this way: Few Mint Sets will prove more difficult to complete than the 1870. One gold coin, and one silver coin stand like twin titans blocking completion by all but the most dedicated (and wealthy) collectors. In silver, it is the 1870-S Silver Dollar. Mysterious in origin, only about a dozen examples are known, and they regularly trade will into six figures, and into seven figures for the best survivors. The mint in Carson City opened this year, and as would be the case for the next 23 years, most of its issues are rare. The inaugural year was no exception, and Quarter, Half and Dollar are all notable rarities. The Quarter in particular is extremely tough, bringing a five figure price in most circulated grades, and into six figures as Mint State is approached. PCGS has not graded any above AU55. The other titan is the 1870-CC $20, one of the great rarities of a series replete with rarities. Worth between a quarter and a half a million dollars almost regardless of grade, it is a legendary coin from a legendary mint by any measure. The fun doesn't end there though, as the Carson City Half Eagle and Eagle are also ultra rare and most desirable. We might add this set also includes the 1870-S $3, but its status goes even beyond a Titan. It is unique and in a permanent collection, so forget about this one. Its estimated value exceeds $5 million.
The PCGS 1870 32-piece set requires both 1870-S Half Dime and the 1870-S Three Dollar Gold. These unique coins are missing in the D. L. Hansen Collection. This registry set has not been started by Mr. Hansen, although the collection has the other 30 coins present and accounted for. The collection has the finest known and only known mint condition 1870-S Silver Dollar. The coin was last sold at public auction by Stacks in 2003 for $1,092,500. Mr. Hansen obtained this great specimen from the Legend Collection of Mint State Seated Liberty Dollars (Bruce Morelan, aka TDN). The fore mention Carson City specimens are very difficult to obtain in high grades. Hansen’s 1870-CC Half Eagle (F12), 1870-CC Quarter Dollar (XF40) and1870-CC Double Eagle (XF45) are the only Hansen’s 1870s graded less than AU55. This new addition results in the seventh PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens in the 32-piece set. Eight others are tied for finest PCGS certified. Fifteen of Hansen’s 30 1870s specimens are either finest or tied for finest. The big unknown is if, or when the two unique coins will make their way into this great collection.
1870-S Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, MS-64, CAC Approved
This coin was purchase in Stack’s Bowers March 2020 - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage Auction. In the online sale information, no clues are given to where or when Mr. Pogue acquired the coin. The information given indicates “None reaches the Gem level. This solitary PCGS MS-64 is joined by a specimen certified at NGC at the same grade level.” CoinFacts Condition Census Report states there is one MS64 and five MS63 specimens. Expert David Akers comments: Very scarce as a date and extremely rare in full mint state. Most specimens are weakly struck and the typically available grade is only VF. I can recall seeing only two strictly mint state coins and perhaps four or five others that were "sliders". The grading of this date and other S Mint quarter eagles is often difficult due to the characteristically weak striking. In most cases, the usual "high points" were never there to begin with, and so one must grade these pieces by looking at the overall quality of the surfaces and the mint lustre. Even a full mint state example of most of these S Mint quarter eagles will have the appearance of being "worn". I don’t think this coin has the appearance of being worn. What do you think?
Stack’s Bowers described the coin this way: Boldly prooflike in finish, this beautiful example is enhanced by a full, vivid rose-orange patina. Both sides are sharply struck throughout the design with remarkably smooth surfaces for this scarce and conditionally challenging issue. A faint planchet drift mark (as made) on the reverse at the letter E in AMERICA serves a useful identifier for this Condition Census near-Gem.
This Pogue coin is another great compliment to the amazing Hansen 1870 mint set. SBG estimated the coin value between $18,000-$25,000. PCPG was given at $26,000. The coin sold for sold $34,800, so it appear Mr. Hansen was willing to pay a premium for this coin. I like this purchase and also where I see this difficult mint set is heading.
Outstanding Near-Gem 1870-S Quarter Eagle
None Graded Finer, POP 1/0
1870-S Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, MS-64, CAC
Certification #32916366, PCGS #7812
PCPG: $26,000 / Realized $34,800
Provenance: From the D. Brent Pogue Collection, March 2020 Auction - The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage – Lot 7326
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I thought this coin might be overlooked with all the highlights in the pogue auction as well as collectors sitting out due to the economy/virus. I was waiting to pounce if it were available for a discount. Although the price paid was strong, I do think the coin warranted it. In fact, in 10 years my hunch is that it will look like a bargain.
150K Milestone
The Hansen watch thread reached 150K views today. The thread will celebrate its two year anniversary on April 14th. I hope you have enjoyed the ride and found the thread to be a fun adventure. In addition, I hope you have learned some new things along the way. Why else would you do it? I don’t think this mission that Dell Loy Hansen is on will end anytime soon. With the latest conditions in our country and the trials that we are facing, I could see some challenges in the future. So, stay buckle in, the next stop is 200K, hopefully.
I thought I might do something a little different in this update. First I will mention the amazing new additions in the last few weeks. The two coins that we saw Mr. Hansen and his team the most exited over was the 1875 Eagle as the starter this year:
D. L. Hansen Collection added an ultra-rarity specimen to the quest to assemble a complete collection of US Issue Coins. Heritage Auctions offered a rare appearance of the 1875 Eagle at February 20 US Coins Signature Auction in Long Beach. Heritage stated in their description of the coin: There have only been 13 public offerings of this issue in any grade over the last 20 years and most of the coins are presently in strong hands, so future auction appearances may be even more infrequent. This coin has been on Mr. Hansen radar for some time. The coin appeared in public two years ago: This particular coin set the auction prices realized record for the issue in its 2018 appearance in the Admiral Collection (Heritage, 2/2018), where it brought $372,000 (HA). It is pretty well known in the numismatics circles that Mr. Hansen was the underbid in a 2018 bidding war. The coin was auctioned in 2018 as a NGC AU50. It has since been crossed to a PCGS AU50. As we know, Mr. Hansen very much desire PCGS more than NGC coins. There was another bidding war, but this time Mr. Hansen walked away with the coin after it was hammered at $360,000. Would he have gone a couple more increments, we will never know. My guess would be yes.
The second “big time” purchase was the 1854-S Half Eagle that Mr. Hansen won in the Stack’s Bowers Pogue Auction:
This may not be the best or most valuable coin in the D. L. Hansen Collection, but it was a big time achievement to add to the collection. Mr. Hansen goal is to obtain The Greatest Collection of US Coins Ever Assembled. Then, the Eliasberg legacy is in the crosshairs to be able to achieve this difficult and problematic goal. From the Stacks Bowers catalog description: 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, spectacular freshness and unsurpassed quality in preference to coins that hover beneath the ultimate tier of quality. If so, the purchase of this coin is a big step to get the D. L. Hansen Collection in the discussion.
Eliasberg Quest (classic style)
The Eliasberg Quest is D.L. Hansen attempt to match or exceed Louis Eliasberg. I believe the quality of Hansen’s collection exceeds Eliasberg when you compare the coins below the Top 100. My observation and some comparisons that I have shared over the past two years confirm the Top 100 coins in Hansen’s collections is very comparable to the Eliasberg coins (even with grade-inflation). Let’s be crystal clear, the “bulk or common” coins in Hansen collection which are all PCGS Certified and slight majority are Condition Census Specimens are overall much better than Eliasberg coins. The area that Eliasberg still have the advantage over Hansen is the ultra-rarities. There about a dozen coins that Hansen needs to “somehow” obtain, to be able to fully claim (and undisputedly) the big prize.
To take the discussion a little deeper, if you have watched for a while now, you may recall a great deal of discussion around what success would look like. If success is that Hansen must match Eliasberg on having a specimen of every year and mint US issue coin, then I have provided what I call the countdown list. The Hansen Collection has 13 coins left. A complete collection have not been achieved but once before by Louis Eliasberg. I started this countdown almost two years ago. I started with 40 coins, and now we are down to 13. That is approx. 27 coins in a little less than two years. So, I will provide some of my thoughts on baker's dozen that is left.
I will segregate the discussion of the final 13 coins into parts. The first group, I will title “The Unique Specimens”. There are three true unique specimens and additional three coins that only one specimen that can be private owned. I personally think it would be a great accomplishment just to acquire three of the six coins. The second group, I call “The Seekers”. These are four coins that I think Mr. Hansen is actively seeking and has a reasonable good chance of acquiring all four of them. I believe we could see it happen in 2020. The third group I will refer to as, “No Desire”. This is a group of three coins from my observations; Mr. Hansen has no desire or at best just a very little desire to purchase. The cost to acquire the three coins in Hansen suitable grades would be approx. $6 Million Dollars. There are other coins at this time he would rather focus on purchasing. Will he change his mind and purchase the three coins at some point? Only the future can tell for sure, but I think they are important to have when engaging in a discussion of The Greatest Collection of US Coins Ever Assembled. I will discuss the three true unique specimens today, and save the other ten coins for a later discussion.
The Unique Specimens
1870-S Half Dime is presently in the PCGS Hall of Fame Tom Bender Collection. This is one of just a couple coins that Louis Eliasberg did not have in his collection. The new discovery of this coin was revealed at 1978 convention of the American Numismatic Association, after Louis Eliasberg death in 1976. The coin is graded MS64 by PCGS and is currently the center piece in a complete PCGS Liberty Seated Half Dime Collection. According to CoinFacts, the last appearance in auction was July 2004 in the Jim’s Gray’s North Carolina Sale by Bowers & Merena. The coin realized a record sale price of $661,250. CoinFacts Values the coin at $1,750,000. It is doubtful the coin will come on the market anytime soon.
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1873-CC "No Arrows" Dime present location is unknown to me. This coin’s historic fame is said to be last coin purchased by Louis Eliasberg when he completed his collection. He purchased the specimen from James C. Kelly and Sol Kaplan in a private transaction in November, 1950 for $4,000. It is rumored today’s asking price is 1,000 times more than the price Eliasberg paid in 1950. Seventy years makes a big difference. The coin is graded MS65 by PCGS. According to CoinFacts, the last appearance in auction was August 2012 in the Battle Born Collection Sale by Stacks Bowers. The coin realized a record sale price of $1,840,000. CoinFacts Values the coin the same. Mr. Hansen has not reached a point in his timeline where he is chasing any particular coin. This may be an interesting coin to watch.
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1870-S Three Dollar is presently owned by Harry Bass Foundation and currently on display at the American Numismatic Association. Louis Eliasberg purchased the specimen from Stack’s in a private transaction in January, 1946 for $11,550. The coin has an estimated grade of EF40. The coin is not in choice condition due to its "pebbled" appearance meaning the coin could have been used as jewelry. In addition, the numerals “893” are scratched upside down on the reverse. It would be interesting to see how PCGS would handle the certification of this coin. Would they be bold enough not to give it a grade? According to CoinFacts, the last appearance in auction was October 1982 in Eliasberg’s U.S. Gold Coin Collection Sale by Bowers & Ruddy. The coin realized a record sale price of $687,500. CoinFacts Values the coin at $4,000,000. There is no indication that this unique coin would be on the market anything soon.
"There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” Alexander The Great
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Thanks Currin! What an amazing thread. Keeps me very interested in coins while I’m currently saving for a big purchase over the next few month.