1 –Hansen Specimen, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS, T. Harrison Garrett; Robert Garrett; John Work Garrett; Johns Hopkins University (Stack's, 3/1976), lot 399, as part of a complete six-piece proof set offered individually; Lisa L. Collection; Dr. Robert J. Loewinger Collection / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3136, realized $115,000; Baltimore Auction (Stack's, 3/2012), lot 4335, realized $109,250; Rosemont Signature (Heritage, 8/2013), lot 5884 (as PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC), realized $152,750 (Auction Record); Purchased in Private Transaction (LCR Coin 1/2021, as PR65DCAM PCGS), D.L. Hansen Collection
Hi Ronnie,
Unfortunately the pedigree is incorrect.
It was brokered from Heritage Wholesale through DLRC to Mr. Hansen's collection...
Thanks!
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
@Catbert said:
With having duplicate sets, Hansen acts as a vacuum cleaner on the high end market. This makes me wonder if it has a depressing effect on fellow whales.
.
Very good question. I discussed this at some point in past, but the question does present a little different twist. I agree Mr. Hansen is a vacuum cleaner on the high end market. But I would add, the high end market is really huge. At no point in time will all the high end coins be available, so market may not seem as big as it really is.
I believe very high end coins are the condition census top five specimens, not just the POP 1/0. Mr. Hansen is not buying all of them. Most of his duplicates are not top five specimens. There are a few coins that he has two top five specimens, but overall not that many. Also, there are many specimens that are non-PCGS certified, and he is not buying at all. As I have said before, I think the high end market could support 3-4 more big whales that could attempt assembling a similar collection. I don’t know we will see one. Logistically, to duplicate what Hansen Collection has accomplished in 4.5 years would be hard without a great team of people.
There may be other approaches to take. One could be the silent approach. Or the 25 year approach. How do we know that is not happening today? There are a lot of great coins that are out of sight, and have been for decades. I will close by saying, there are a few series that have the top coins all sucked up. It is not by Mr. Hansen alone, because in some cases he is just 3-4 in the current PCGS Registry. When this becomes wide spread in all the series, the high end market will then be vacuumed up by a group collectors.
Personally, I don’t think that will happen as long as there are dealers and collectors assembling top end sets for the sole purpose to market. I think there will always be top end coins available, but may not be in the series that you collect. The advantage that Mr. Hansen has, he can just move on to opportunities in other series.
Tidbit,
I took a quick look at Mr. Hansen Mega-Set. For the 6278 coins, there are 1742 coins (28%) that either he does not have a top five specimen or no coin at all.
@OldIndianNutKase said:
I really do not see why that coin is not in a 66 or 67 holder........ Great candidate for a regrade.
Except the upgrade % fee could be significant money. I am sure PCGS would love to upgrade that coin.
OINK
As gorgeous as it looks, the coin almost certainly has grade-limiting hairlines, which aren’t apparent in the images. That’s frequently the case with Proofs, which are virtually impossible to grade, based on images.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
As gorgeous as it looks, the coin almost certainly has grade-limiting hairlines, which aren’t apparent in the images. That’s frequently the case with Proofs, which are virtually impossible to grade, based on images.
The CoinFacts image of this coin shows them very well:
I have been working on and off for several weeks on this posting. It started with the plan to post a new proof purchase from a Great Collection Sale (PR62 PCGS specimen). When I looked at the date, I discovery a good coin story could be told on the two proof types for the coin. The more I looked at the date; I felt that I remembered Mr. Hansen already had another specimen. I had difficulty confirming the second coin with my online research, so I reached out to John Brush. He replied: The 1859 is in the Hansen Collection as I sold it to him. The coin that he is confirming is a PF65DCAM PCGS Type II Specimen.
Coin Facts information for this coin is confusing and incomplete at the best. This is one of the better descriptions that I could find. The 1859 is the first Proof Liberty quarter eagle for which the mintage was recorded by Mint personnel. It is also the highest mintage Proof quarter eagle produced up until that time. Both these facts are the result of Mint Director James Ross Snowden's decision to begin marketing Proof sets to the general public on a large scale, a plan put into practice beginning in 1858. The late 1850s saw the first major boom in coin collecting in the United States, and Snowden's efforts were undoubtedly intended to capitalize on that upswing in the hobby. In anticipation of records sales for the era, the Mint struck 80 Proofs of each of the gold denominations current in 1859, from the gold dollar through the double eagle. Such expectations proved wildly optimistic, however, and numismatic scholars agree that only a small percentage of these coins were actually distributed to contemporary collectors. The balance of the mintages were either destroyed through melting or (more likely) released into circulation. The net distribution of the Proof 1859 quarter eagle will probably never be known, but through research into the historic numismatic auction record and other sources, we are able to establish the total number of coins known today with reasonable accuracy. Interestingly, the survivors include examples of both known reverse hub types that the Philadelphia Mint used to strike circulation strike quarter eagles in 1859. The Type I Reverse (a.k.a. Old Reverse) is identifiable by large arrowheads that are close to the letters ICA in AMERICA, with the top two arrowheads touching. Conversely, the Type II Reverse (a.k.a. New Reverse) displays small, fully separated arrowheads that are distant from the letters ICA. The Type II Reverse is attributed to Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre, and by 1862 it had completely replaced the Type I Reverse for Philadelphia Mint quarter eagles. Information provided by Stacks Bowers Auction 8/2015
Stated in a Stacks Bowers Auction, there are no more than 11 Proof 1859 quarter eagles of both reverse hub types extant. Three are impounded in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, American Numismatic Society and the Royal Mint in London and, thus, are not available for private ownership. Of the 11 known specimens, only three are the Type II Reverse, including the ANS specimen. By compiling some online research from past auctions, I made an attempt to create a complete roster. I found sixteen documented auctions from the Eliasberg Sale in 1992 to present. As more information comes available, there could be some additional certainly to the specimens that are questionable.
Type I – Old Reverse
1) Trompeter – Bass Specimen, PR66CAM PCGS, F. C. C. Boyd; World's Greatest Collection Sale (Numismatic Gallery, 1/46), lot 127; Memorable Sale (Numismatic Gallery, 3/48), lot 118; Wolfson Sale (Stack's, 10/62), lot 179; Spring Sale (Stack's, 4/78), lot 805; Ed Trompeter; Ed Trompeter Collection Sale (Superior, 2/92), lot 39, realized $48,400; Orlando Sale (Superior, 8/92), lot 562; Baltimore Sale (Superior, 8/92), lot 851; Harry W. Bass, Jr. III Sale, (Bowers & Merena 5/2000), Lot 191, realized $48,300; The Kennywood Collection, (ANR 1/2005), lot 865, realized $75,900; ANA05 Platinum Night, Heritage 7/2005), 10323, realized $80,500.
2) 1993-1996 Auction Specimen(s), PCGS PR66 Baltimore '93 Auction, (Superior Galleries 7/1993), lot 851, realized $41,800, FUN95 (Commodore Perry) Sale, (Bowers & Merena 1/1995), lot 1166, realized $30,800, ANA96 Sale, (Heritage, 8/1996), lot 8212, realized $36,300. Note: I cannot confirm the provenance of this coin or coins. It is very possible the specimen is the Trompeter – Bass Specimen.
3) Smithsonian Specimen, PR64DCAM (est.), United States Mint; National Numismatic Collection in the Smithsonian Institute.
4) Eliasberg Specimen, PR64 NGC, David S. Wilson Sale (S. H. Chapman, 3/07); John H. Clapp; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Louis E. Eliasberg, Jr.; United States Gold Coin Collection Sale (Bowers & Ruddy, 10/82), lot 186, realized $15,400, ; Dr. Jerry Buss Collection Sale (Superior, 1/85), lot 1714; H. W. Blevins Estate and George Bodway Collections Sale (Superior, 6/88), lot 6624, where it realized $19,800; (CSNS) Signature Sale, (Heritage 4/2002), lot 6894, realized $36,800.
5) Pittman Specimen, John Jay Pittman; John Jay Pittman Collection Sale (Akers, 10/97), lot 834, as part of an 1859 proof set.
6) The Royal Mint Museum Specimen, (Morton & Eden Ltd 3/2013), lot 609, realized $93,854 (Auction Record).
7) Hansen Specimen, PR62 PCGS, Stanley Kesselman, sold privately on 4/5/1971, Harry W. Bass, Jr. II Sale, (Bowers & Merena 10/1999) lot 503, as PCGS PR62, realized $10,925; PCGS Set Registry/Yellowstone Collection of U.S. Gold Coins(Great Collections 10/2020), GC Item ID: 889792, as PCGS PR62CAM 40406024, realized $32,650, D.L. Hansen Collection
1) Hansen Specimen, PF65DCAM PCGS, William Cutler Atwater Sale (B. Max Mehl, 6/46), lot 1963, realized $70; Amon Carter Collection Sale (Stack's, 1/84), lot 553, realized $13,750; ANA U.S. Coins Sale, (Stack's Bowers 8/2015), lot 10212, realized $64,625; Purchased in Private Transaction (David Lawrence Rare Coins 11/2018).
2) Reed Specimen, PR64 CAM NGC, Byron Reed; Omaha City Library; Byron Reed Collection Sale (Spink America, 10/96), lot 55, realized $35,300; Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage's 6/2015), lot 4202.
3) ANS specimen J. P. Morgan; American Numismatic Society.
At one point in time, the Reed Specimen was believed to be unique for a Proof 1859 quarter eagle of the Type II Reverse. (See the listing for this issue on page 120 of the 2008 reference Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins: 1795-1933 by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth.). As of today, there are three that are currently recognized and Mr. Hansen has the finest known of three. With the recent purchase from Great Collections, the D.L. Hansen Collection now has both types.
1859 Proof Quarter Eagle, Type 1 - Old Rev., PR62CAM, Ex: Harry Bass Duplicate Specimen
Bad news, the coin is at the bottom of the condition census roster, but good news, the roster is very short. I confirmed with help from Ron Guth, the coin is a Harry Bass duplicate that was offered in his Bass II sale in 1999.
The appeared in a Great Collections Auction. In a press release, they described the sale as: GreatCollections is pleased to announce the auction of the Yellowstone Collection of U.S. Gold Coins scheduled for Sunday, October 4. The collection comprises over 100 certified coins and were mostly acquired from 2000 to 2008. The collection includes many rarities, some of which are universally known, including a key-date 1929 Indian Half Eagle, graded PCGS MS65. But some are much rarer and less recognized, such as the 1859 Liberty Quarter Eagle, graded PCGS PR62CAM. The whole collection is being auctioned unreserved, with bidding to commence at $1. GreatCollections has estimated the total value of the collection at well over $1 million.
There was no other description given by Great Collection for the 1859 Proof Quarter Eagle. There was no mention of any connection to the Bass Collection. The Coin Facts information stated the PR62 PCGS grade specimen is pedigreed to Stanley Kesselman, sold privately on 4/5/1971 - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:503, $10,925. The POP report has one PR62 and one PR62CAM specimen listed. I believe the two coins are the same. The coin realized $32,650 in the Great Collections sale. PCGS price guide does not give a value for the PR62 specimen.
1859 Proof Quarter Eagle, Type II – New Rev., PF65DCAM PCGS, Ex: Atwater/Carter Specimen
The rare of the two types is the Type II – New Reverse. This coin has been in the D.L. Hansen Collection for about two years, but has been living below the radar. It will not anymore. The issue with this coin is the coin number 534180 cannot be use in any of the registry sets. It appears to me, there is not a set that requires the Type II coin. The coin remains in inventory, but Mr, Hansen cannot do anything with it. At some point, I hope he can get this corrected by PCGS.
For the community that has been following the thread, you know that William Cutter Atwater is one of my favorite early completest. Naturally, I was eager to see another one of his coins coming into the Hansen Collection. For Quarter Eagles, his collection started in 1859 and appears to be a complete proof run to 1915. In the B. Max Mehl description, he wrote or the 1862 Quarter Eagle: Extremely rare in proof. Recent record $75.00, but in my humble opinion these beautiful gold coins in brilliant proof condition are almost priceless and worth more than their present market. Priceless in 1946 resulted in $70.00!
The next traceable appearance was the Amon Carter Sale in 1984. After this appearance, the coin will go about 35 years before it appears in auction again. At the ANA U.S. Coins Sale in August 2015, the coin was offered by Stack's Bowers Auctions. The coin was headlined as a Significant Type II Reverse, Exceedingly Rare Proof 1859 Liberty Quarter Eagle. It was described as: This exquisite coin is noteworthy for both its rarity and phenomenal eye appeal. Deeply mirrored fields support satin-textured devices with profound cameo contrast, as suggested by the DCAM designation from PCGS. Full, razor sharp definition characterizes the devices. Light golden-orange color is evenly distributed throughout and the surfaces readily uphold the coveted Gem grade. This is a lovely specimen, a coin whose technical and aesthetic qualities would elicit strong bids from specialists even if it were one of the more readily obtainable Proof Liberty quarter eagles. That it is an exceedingly rare 1859 is simply incredible, making it one of the most important Proof quarter eagles of any type that we have ever offered. The coin realized $64,625, Auction Record for Type Two. This is a big difference from 1946 when the coin realized $70 in the Atwater Sale. In 2018, the coin was purchased in a private transaction with David Lawrence Rare Coins. Presently, there is not a PCGS registry set that you can see the pair together, so I will show you the coins as a pair.
1859 Proof Quarter Eagle, Type 1 - Old Rev., PR62CAM, Ex: Harry Bass Duplicate Specimen PR62CAM CERTIFICATION #40406024, PCGS #87885, PCGS POP 1/3
1859 Proof Quarter Eagle, Type II – New Rev., PF65DCAM PCGS, Ex: Atwater/Carter Specimen PR65DCAM CERTIFICATION #28586097, PCGS #534180, PCGS POP 1/0
After spending this past couple weeks posting proof gold, I think it is a good time to switch up a little and post an old gold piece from a branch mint. What better branch mint is there for quarter eagles with that little “o”. When you have a mega-collection as the D.L. Hansen Collection, there are hundreds and maybe thousands of subsets. We will take a closer look at one of those subsets today. New Orleans Gold $2-1/2 Basic Circulation Strikes (1839-1857) set only requires 13 coins. The Hansen Collection has two complete sets. Let’s break down the top set.
The top set has condition grade from AU58 to MS65. The two AUs are nice candidates for upgrades, although the 1845-O will not be an easy undertaking. Also, there are three coins outside the top five PCGS certified. The “worst” coin is the 1854-O MS61, POP 12/15. David Akers describes the coin as: This is a fairly common date, but most available specimens are well worn. Mr. Hansen should be able to find a nice top five replacement. The next coin that is one up from the bottom is the 1840-O AU58, POP 14/11. The coin is CAC Approved, but I am sure a better grade and appearance coin can be found. The third and last is a borderline top five at POP 9/5. The 1843-O MS63 “Large Date Variety” is the sole finest, there are five better specimens for the “Small Date Variety”. In fact, there is at least one GEM can be found in “Small Date Variety”. Hansen’s current “Small Date” is a MS61 which is not represented in the set below.
The 13-piece set has four PCGS sole finest specimens, POP 1/0. Also, there is one other coin tied for finest. We discussed there are three coins not in top five, so that translate to 10 of the 13 dates are PCGS Top Five (77%). This is a truly beautiful little New Orleans Branch Mint set of Quarter Eagles.
1851-O Quarter Eagle MS64, Sole Finest Certified by PCGS
The new coin replaces an 1851-O, MS62 Certification #81690088, POP 8/5. David Akers describes the coin as: This date is not particularly scarce in lower grades but is very difficult to obtain in full mint state. One interesting variety of this date has a double date. The first date was punched sloping down to the right and then was only partially effaced before the date was punched into the proper position. To the best of my knowledge, The Hansen Collection has two mint state specimens, MS62 and MS64. Doug Winter commented: The mintage figure for this date is the second highest of any New Orleans quarter eagle. It is a much scarcer coin than the lower mintage 1845-O and is comparable to dates such as the 1850-O and 1852-O in high grades. The 1851-O is among the more common New Orleans quarter eagles, although it is scarcer than its relatively high mintage suggests. It is most easily found in VF and EF grades. It becomes scarce in the higher AU grades and is rare in Uncirculated. There are perhaps four or five Choice to Very Choice pieces known and a single Gem. I am not able to find out any additional information on the single GEM.
The coin’s first appearance that I can trace was May 2007 Heritage sale. In PCGS auction history, this is the only appearance for a MS64 graded coin. According to the NGC POP report, there is one coin graded MS65 (also noted by Doug Winter), but it has never shown up in auction. There are no NGC graded MS64 specimens. There have been four times that an MS63 specimen have appeared in auction from 1993 to 2000. Two of the coins were from the Harry Bass Collection. Yes, he had two in his collection. I can rule one of them out by images. I cannot rule out the other Bass Specimen or coins in the other two auctions. Maybe one day, there may be an earlier trace for this coin.
In the Heritage (CSNS) Signature Coin, the coin appeared as Near-Gem 1851-O Quarter Eagle Rarity, MS64 PCGS, Breen-6214, Doubled Date. Heritage described the date as: The date was first entered out of position, with remnants of a 51 below and left of the final position. While a common coin by O-mint standards, the 1851-O is an elusive issue in mint condition. There was mentioned of the GEM specimen: In fact, this appears to be the second finest coin known with only one piece certified higher, an NGC MS65. It is the finest certified by PCGS, and the only one at this grade level (4/07). The coin has stood the test of time for being PCGS sole finest for at least 14 years. It realized an Auction Record of $20,700. The record has also withstood the test of time, until a couple months ago.
Heritage described the coin’s appearance as: The surfaces display the bright, satiny mint luster one would expect of an O-mint quarter eagle from this period--the obverse is brighter yellow-gold in color and the reverse is more subdued green-gold. The design details display the usual softness that is inherent to this issue with weak definition, especially on the eagle. The peripheral details, though, are surprisingly strong. There are no mentionable surface defects on either side of this exceptional Condition Census quarter eagle. I do not believe the coin has a CAC sticker.
I discovered this coin when I was researching the Yellowstone Collection offered in October 2020 by Great Collection. I wrote on the collection a few days ago. The Hansen 1859 Proof Quarter Eagle was from this great collection. The 1851-O Quarter Eagle realized $27,690.75 with buyer fees (New Auction Record). This is a nice specimen that upgrades a very nice little collection of New Orleans Quarter Eagles. More to come I am sure.
Provenance: CSNS Signature Coin Auction (Heritage 5/2007), Lot 2230, realized $20,700; Yellowstone Collection of U.S. Gold Coins (Great Collections 10/2020), GC Item ID: 889744, realized $27,690.75 (Auction Record), The D.L. Hansen Collection.
1851-O Quarter Eagle MS64 PCGS POP 1/0, Sole Finest by PCGS Certification #02735358, PCGS #7762 PCGS Value Guide: $27,500 / Realized $27,690.75
@cameonut2011 said:
I wish him the best with his formidable goal.
I am out of the loop - what is the goal?
.
One suggestion is to look back on my postings from 12/31/20 and 1/1/21 (one page back), and there is a pretty good description what drives this mega collection. For more details, there was a great article in Coin Review, Nov/Dec 1999. It is a good read if you what to learn more about history in the making.
PCGS Prooflike (PL) coins. Do you like them? They are a sort of a weird species. They are not exactly a hybrid. They definitely are not a proof, although they are confused for them quite often. Before the TPG days, they were commonly confused for proofs. They are business strikes by birth, but were born with some special qualities. For a very long time, a few series have been recognized for this special birth mark, for example Morgan Dollars. About 18 months ago, PCGS expanded the designation to all coins. This is the press release: Now, all qualifying mint state U.S. and world coins, tokens and medals can be PCGS-certified as PL - (Santa Ana, California) – Any and all qualifying mint state United States and world coins, as well as tokens and medals submitted to Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com), are now eligible to receive the desirable designation, Prooflike (PL). The formal announcement about the expansion of PL eligibility is yet another positive opportunity for collectors and dealers to showcase their PCGS-certified coins. According to PCGS standards, a coin’s surface is Prooflike when there is a clear reflection in the fields on both sides as viewed from two to four inches away. A cloudy effect or striations may impede the reflectivity. The PL designation was available first for qualifying Morgan silver dollars when PCGS opened for business in February 1986. Since then, additional U.S. coin denominations and types have been added, such as California fractional gold and world coins, in the past year.
Since this first announcement, we have seen a few of the special coins added to the D.L. Hansen Collection. In the registry, these coins are considered the same a business strike and no additional points are given for the PL designation. When the coin is a PCGS sole finest certified, have the PL designation, and is CAC Approved, then that is the making of a very special coin. The new Hansen coin has the first two attributes.
I made an attempt to list all the Hansen PL coins that I could find. I did not include Morgan Dollars. As you can see, the list has grown pretty good the past 18 months.
1863 Three Cent Silver MS67PL
1868 Three Cent Silver1 MS64+ PL, CAC Approved
1870 Half Dime MS68PL
1884-S Dime MS66PL
1883 Quarter Dollar MS67PL, CAC Approved
1886 Quarter Dollar MS62PL
1894 Quarter Dollar MS67+ PL
1878-S Half Dollar MS64PL CAC, Ex: Eugene Gardener
1900-O Half Dollar MS66PL, CAC Approved
1900-S Half Dollar MS65PL
1872 Gold Dollar MS63PL
1831 Quarter Eagle MS66+ PL
1883 Quarter Eagle MS60PL, CAC Approved
1891 Quarter Eagle MS64PL
1867 Three Dollar MS67+ PL, CAC Approved
1870 Three Dollar 1 MS65+ PL CAC Approved
1877 Three Dollar 1 MS63PL
1886 Three Dollar MS65PL
1877 Half Eagle MS61PL
1868 Eagle MS61PL
1886 Double Eagle MS63+ PL
1894 Barber Quarter Dollar, MS67+ PL, Sole Finest by PCS
I believed this to be the first Barber PL specimen to join the collection. The collection does have two Seated Liberty Quarter Dollars. There are two Barber Half Dollars, but I could not find a Barber Dime with the PL designation. This coin replaces pair of CAC Appoved 1894 Barber Quarter Dollar, MS66+, certification #50138461 & 36829876, POP 6/1. The Hansen Collection has two of the six MS66+ specimens. Jaime Hernandez describes the coin as: The 1894 Barber Quarter is one of the more common dates in the series, as many examples were struck for this date. In uncirculated condition they are scarce in all grades. Especially in MS65 condition or higher. MS66 examples are even harder to find. Anything grading higher than MS66 is very rare. The Hansen Collection now has three specimens grading higher than MS66.
The coin’s first appearance that I can trace was January 2020 Heritage sale. The provenance given is from The Watermark Collection. I did try to trace an early provenance using the Coin Fact and Past Auction images available online. I could not come up with any matches. The coin has the look of a Eugene Gardener coin, but I verified the coin in his collection did not match. Maybe one day, there may be an earlier trace for this coin.
In the Heritage FUN US Coins Signature Auction in Orlando, it appeared as 1894 Quarter, Toned MS67+ Prooflike, The Only Coin So Designated at PCGS. Heritage described the coin as: At first glance this coin really looks like a proof. It takes close examination to convince yourself it is not. The most telling aspect is the lack of high-point definition on the feathers of the eagle on the reverse. Prooflike circulation strikes can often be differentiated from actual proofs by the presence of numerous tiny marks the coin picked up while it was bagged and jostled around with other pieces, but even that is not helpful when examining this coin. The coin displays unfathomably deep mirrors on each side, and the blue-green and rose toning is brightened considerably by the depth of reflectivity seen in the fields. Prooflike designation is still a relatively new area of speciality for collectors of PCGS coins. Certainly in the years to come other Prooflike 1894 quarters will surface, but we doubt any will exceed this piece in terms of technical grade as well as sheer aesthetic appeal. To date (11/19), this is the only Prooflike 1894 quarter certified by PCGS. There is also only one NGC-certified example of this issue, and that piece grades MS65. The coin realized $17,400, Auction Record.
In just a few months, the coin appeared again in a June 2020 Stacks Bowers Auction. The second round was not quite the charm. The coin realized $14,400 in this auction. There was no pedigree offered in the sale. The coin was described as: This gorgeous and pristine example displays vibrant colorful iridescence in the fields. A blend of magenta, turquoise, violet, and gold color frames dove-grey across the devices. The fields are remarkably reflective, contrasting with the more satiny texture of the design elements. Sharply struck and entirely free of notable marks. As a Prooflike Superb Gem, this is a decided condition rarity that will be a highlight in any cabinet. It ranks as the sole finest 1894 quarter graded by PCGS or NGC in any category. It is also the only example with a PL designation from PCGS. NGC has certified just a single PL coin at MS-65 PL.
Mr. Hansen did not pop in either of the two auction opportunities. I have no knowledge if he bided on the coins or not. This coin turned out to be another post auction opportunity. It was purchased in a private transaction from Harry Laibstain Rare Coins last fall. I found the offering in an outdated price list. As some of you may know, HLRC produces Premium Inventory List and post at HLRC.com. In one of the posting, the coin was offered for $24,000. As ways, we have no idea of the negotiated price in the private transaction. This is a nice prooflike upgrade.
Provenance: The Watermark Collection / FUN US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage 1/2020), Lot 4168, realized $17,400 (Auction Record); Numismatic Americana and Early American Coins (Stacks Bowers 6/2020). Lot 467, realized $14,400; Purchased in Private Transaction (HLRC Coin 9/2020), D.L. Hansen Collection
1894 Barber Quarter Dollar, MS67+ PL PCGS POP 1/0, Sole Finest by PCGS Certification #38475132, PCGS #779043 PCGS Value Guide: unknown / Realized $17,400 (1/2020)
The 1886 Double Eagle MS63+ PL is a special coin. It is the finest of 3 graded by PCGS in mint state and the only PL example. It was previously in the impressive AWA collection.
1 –Hansen Specimen, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS, T. Harrison Garrett; Robert Garrett; John Work Garrett; Johns Hopkins University (Stack's, 3/1976), lot 399, as part of a complete six-piece proof set offered individually; Lisa L. Collection; Dr. Robert J. Loewinger Collection / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3136, realized $115,000; Baltimore Auction (Stack's, 3/2012), lot 4335, realized $109,250; Rosemont Signature (Heritage, 8/2013), lot 5884 (as PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC), realized $152,750 (Auction Record); Purchased in Private Transaction (LCR Coin 1/2021, as PR65DCAM PCGS), D.L. Hansen Collection
Hi Ronnie,
Unfortunately the pedigree is incorrect.
It was brokered from Heritage Wholesale through DLRC to Mr. Hansen's collection...
We have seen a lot of activity in the proof gold recently. I asked John Brush if this was a new focus. He said, no not really a change in focus. He continued by saying the Hansen Basic set is getting to a point that upgrade opportunities are diminishing. This has opened up an opportunity to look harder at some other coins. I think we are seeing that with the gold proofs.
In the past weeks, I have often spoken on what I call the collector set of gold proofs (1859-1915). In researching the complete set of this makeup, I have not found a collection or collector that has achieved this difficult feat. I am not saying there is not one from the past or present, and I will continue to look. Just at this point, I have not turned one up. Even the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian institute comes up short. The Collection have an amazing compete set of Liberty Head Double Eagles, but only 93.55% complete for the One dollar gold. Ed Trompeter , Hall of Fame for his Gold Proof, was complete for the eight of the sets that I show below, including the Four Dollar Stellas, but it appear he may not have been complete for three of the Liberty Head Sets, including Half Eagles, Eagles, and Double Eagles. I need more research to confirm. Louis Eliasberg had one of the greatest sets of proof gold, but the collection was mixed with proof and mint strikes. It appears the ratio of the mix was about 85% proof to 15% Mint strike. Harry W. Bass, another Hall of Fame Collection known for Gold did not have a compete run of proof gold from 1859-1915. I took a look of William Cutter Atwater’s catalog. He had very nice runs of Proof Gold starting in 1859, but there were a few pieces here and there that were mint strikes. For example, the Liberty Head Double Eagles were complete proof, except for 1862 in fine condition, 1877 and 1878 brilliant uncirculated condition.
So to sum up, PCGS does not have a set to represent this 294 piece proof set. I think it would make a beautiful display if Hansen or someone else completes the 294 piece set someday. It would be nice if PCGS would create registry set. So, with not set available in PCGS, and Mr. Hansen has not focused on the set, then how is he doing? In thinking of a cool way to visualize the set, I created the chart below from Registry sets.
So, as you can see, The D.L. Hansen Collection is well on the way for completing this set. Currently at 70.4%, this is below the percentage’s I think you will find in the sets that I mention above. For the Bass, Eliasberg, Atwater collection, I think you will find them to be 85-90%. The current number of coins that is needed by Mr. Hansen is 87. I think all of them are collectable. This will make an interesting watch in weeks and months to come.
1895 Liberty Head Eagle, PR64DCAM, CAC Approved, Ex: Pittman
OK, now for the addition, 1895 Liberty Head Proof Eagle, The official mintage give for this coin is 56. CoinFacts gives the Rarity and Survival Estimates at 35 for all grades. So, there should be plenty to satisfy the collecting community right? Wrong! Since the Eliasberg sale in 1982, the coin has appeared in auction only 27 times. By my math, that is less than once per year as an average. Since 2012, there were only six appearances. There was a 5-year gap from 2012 -2017 with no appearances.
Before this weekend, the new Hansen coin appeared only once in auction that I can find. The John Jay Pittman II Sale hosted by David Akers in 1998. I don’t know much about the auction except the provenance is given to Kosoff (1962). I think that would be Abe Kosoff. The coin realized $44,000, but not much more information is given.
The coin appeared in a Great Collections auction this past Sunday. The coin was part a complete proof gold 1895 set. The set produced some discussion on another thread in our community site. Ian Russel from Great Collections commented: These were hand-picked by an advanced collector over the past 30 years. Now, this does not specifically tell us that the 1895 Proof Eagle has been in this collection for 30 years. We know it was not, because the coin was auctioned 22 years ago. It is very possible and maybe likely, the advanced collector purchased the coin 22 years ago. It’s a little amazing the coin did not appreciate in 22 years. The current PCGS price guide values that coin at only $37,500. We saw when the Hansen team did comps on the coin, they valued it much more and paid up. The coin realized $48,937.50 with buyer’s fees.
In reviewing the bid history, it appears Mr. Hansen placed the winning bid around 3:37 pm Sunday afternoon and walked away. The bid held up. He also needed the Double Eagle. It appear by bid history, he may have placed (cannot confirm) a walk-a-way bid of $140,000 (plus fees) on the Double Eagle at 3:26 pm. He did not bid again. This coin had three other bidders battling up to end of the auction. The winning bid was $177,500 ($199,687.50 with buyer fees). The 1895 Double Eagle Proof will have to wait for another day.
Provenance: Abe Kosoff (1962); John Jay Pittman II, (David Akers 5/1998), lot 1979, realized $44,000; Well-known advance collector (Great Collections 1/2021), GC Item ID: 930278, realized $48,937.50.
1895 Liberty Head Eagle, PR64DCAM, Ex: Pittman PCGS POP 2/5, CAC Approved Certification #50021190, PCGS #98835 PCGS Coin Guide Value: $37,500 / Ask $48,937.50 Ex: Kosoff / Pittman
When I posted something about the 4 Gold Proof 1895 coins up for auction last week I wondered if Hansen would go after any of them. That question was answered. All 4 ($2.5, $5, $10, $20) were amazing coins.
The 1895 was cheap. Nice coin. I would have purchased it as I love CAC Tens but I have the other one. I thought the 20 was cheap. If you look at records I believe that only 13 PR 65 Dcams
CAC have ever sold. EVER. That is hard to fathom. Of course you could count the PR 66 Dcams non CAc as they are really 65's!
1 –Hansen Specimen, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS, T. Harrison Garrett; Robert Garrett; John Work Garrett; Johns Hopkins University (Stack's, 3/1976), lot 399, as part of a complete six-piece proof set offered individually; Lisa L. Collection; Dr. Robert J. Loewinger Collection / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3136, realized $115,000; Baltimore Auction (Stack's, 3/2012), lot 4335, realized $109,250; Rosemont Signature (Heritage, 8/2013), lot 5884 (as PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC), realized $152,750 (Auction Record); Purchased in Private Transaction (LCR Coin 1/2021, as PR65DCAM PCGS), D.L. Hansen Collection
Hi Ronnie,
Unfortunately the pedigree is incorrect.
It was brokered from Heritage Wholesale through DLRC to Mr. Hansen's collection...
Thanks!
Umm does not Hansen own DLRC?
He's my partner in the business.
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
"The most awesome large cent I've ever seen." Denis Loring, Penny-Wise, January 1981
After 40 years, the statement is still true today. Are these coins still getting the love they deserve? I was reading a thread posted by @rays titled: Heritage early half cents sold today reveal major EAC market weakness. He continued to say, Three major early US half cent rarities sold today by Heritage revealed weakness in the EAC market. In my estimation, the top of the US coin market was the FUN show January 2014. I cannot argue his point. Later in the thread, @tradedollarnut posted a comment: Not just half cents, and referenced this new D.L. Hansen purchase. There is no question in my mind; the Early American Cooper has lost some of its mojo. In the registry, the interest still seems to be there. There still is HOF Jim McGuigan that ranks on top with Half Cents and High Desert on top for Large Cents. There is D. L. Hansen Collection in distance second in both series. It appear most of the other collectors may be pursuing circulated condition specimens. Not knowing the EAC collections outside the registry, the registry does not appear to have a “weakness” of collectors.
I will say that I have not seen Mr. Hansen having a keen interest of EAC series until recently. I saw a peeked interest of the sale of ESM coppers. Now with this pickup, I am wondering if Mr. Hansen sees this as a great opportunity to jump into the pool. I know Donald G. Partrick EAC Collection is scheduled for Heritage Platinum Night in April. The collection has a 1797 NGC VG8 “Gripper Edge” Half Cent. This is the last coin in which the D.L. Hansen Set needs to complete the Half Cent Circulating Strike Collection. I heard rumor of another copper sale coming, but have not seen an announce yet. It will be interesting to watch and see what happens.
The coin was purchase this week in the Heritage FUN US Coins Signature Auction. It is from The Oliver Jung Collection. We know him on the forum as @privaterarecoincollector. If you don’t know, Mr. Jung assembled the all-time finest US Type Set. Still today, the 133 piece set stands alone at the top of the registry. The 1811 Large Cent MS65RD was one of the 133 coins in Mr. Jung’s great set. As with many coins, there are opinions that the best coin may not always be the best grade. Here is the way Heritage addressed the coin: It will surprise no one that this MS65 Red representative ranks atop the Condition Census. There is one other coin certified numerically finer -- an MS66 Red and Brown (Ex: Miller-Sloss-Helfenstein-Holmes-ESM) -- but it does not show anywhere near the degree of original mint-red color that this Gem does. With the finest S-286 coin being an MS63 Brown piece, this example has a legitimate, if not indisputable, claim to being the single finest 1811 Classic Head cent known to collectors. Can it be much clearer? This was stated by Stacks Bowers in the Pogue sale: There are remarkably few survivors of this date with significant remaining mint color. The Helfenstein-Holmes example of this die marriage, graded PCGS MS-66 RB, is the only 1811 graded higher than this one, but its proportion of mint red pales in comparison. That coin is one of just four RB entries for this date on the PCGS Population Report. This piece is not only the sole 1811 certified as RD by PCGS, it is the only cent of the entire design type with the designation. For fans of original color, there is no more important 1811 cent.
There is no question the coin is remarkable, if it was not, we would not have found it from the Pogue/ Jung Collections. Not only does the coin have remarkable appearance and color, but the coin has a very strong pedigree dating back to Dr. Henry W. Beckwith. Stacks Bowers Comment: Dr. Henry W. Beckwith, who Breen famously called "the first perfectionist," had a soft spot for cents with abundant mint color and unusual stories of discovery. He acquired an 1801 S-223 and an 1807 S-271, both ex Bement, that had been found together in a trunk in Rhode Island, as well as the 1807 S-273 that had been passed down among the descendants of Col. Joshua Pierce since the year it was struck, Pierce's birth year. His 1794 Sheldon-29 was discovered among the property of an old Philadelphia family in 1914. There are many stories of individual high grade cents that had been lost, and then found. One of the finest known 1801 S-216 cents was found inside an old desk at the Essex Institute in the 1930s, and still-red 1821 cents were found within a Boston cornerstone about 1979. The nine 1809 cents found inside another cornerstone, that of the Mansion House Hotel in Philadelphia, are less well known, but Montroville W. Dickeson reported in 1859 that "the most perfect specimens known" come from there. In more recent years, two high grade cents dated 1793 and 1794 were discovered in the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House in Boston, examined, publicized, and then put back. Unfortunately, neither had survived the ravages of time and humanity well. According to Mr. Jung’s comments: This coin found in an old desk in New Haven, 1915”. Very fitting don’t you think.
In the Heritage sale this week, the coin was described as: This spectacular Gem is struck from an early state of the dies without any evidence of clashing or bulging. The first coins off the press were struck from slightly misaligned dies, resulting in consistent softness on the left-side stars, as here. The centers are pale coppery gold with lighter silvery rose accents around and within the hidden areas of the design. Steel-blue, almost teal patina occurs around the peripheries. Seemingly, the only grade-limiting tick is a microscopic one left of the first 1 in the date. Exceptionally preserved and attractive, this Gem undoubtedly competes with the finest Classic Head cents, being the only one in the entire series (1808-1814) certified in the Red color category at PCGS (11/20). Our EAC grade MS65. The coin had a PCGS Price Guide value of $500,000. I say “had”, because I think at some point we may see this price drop, due to the coin only realized $198,000. This was quite a bargain I would say.
Provenance: Dr. Henry W. Beckwith Collection (S. Hudson Chapman, 4/1923), lot 45; S. Hudson Chapman; Rev. William H. Owen, Jr. Collection; Yale University, before 1944; stolen in a May 29, 1965 robbery and subsequently recovered, but declined by the university following a successful insurance claim payment; William H. Foster; John Rowe III and Q. David Bowers; Lester Merkin (c. 1971); Richard Picker; C. Douglas Smith Collection; L.A. Collection of U.S. Type Coins, by sale via Stack's; 55th Anniversary Sale (Stack's, 10/1990), lot 1594; Anthony Terranova, Martin Paul, and Silvano DiGenova; Chicago Sale (Superior Galleries, 8/1991), lot 361; Steven L. Contursi; Worrell Collection (Superior Galleries, 9/1993), lot 119; Rarities Sale (Bowers and Merena, 7/ 2005), lot 16, via Anthony Terranova, realized $138,000;D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V (Stack's Bowers, 3/2017), lot 5135, realized $493,500; The Oliver Jung Collection (Heritage 1/2021), lot 3986, realized $198,000, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1811 Large Cent “S-287”, MS65RD PCGS PCGS, POP 1/0, CAC Approved, Sole Red Certified by PCGS Certification #32709096, PCGS #36498 PCGSPG: $500,000 / realized $198,000 Ex: Pogue / Jung
All right I have no Idea who this Hansen guy is - I get it I was out of the loop for a decade+ and just jumped back in. I have a bunch of coins he needs/wants and what I wonder is that why I get calls from Heritage and emails all the time? - it is annoying - Why does he just not call? It is weird IMO. Most of mine are not for sale (I don't need the money) - but trades are possible - I also have on some moderns - all/most/some of the top POPS for certain coins but only publish 1. I also have some POP1's that are not important and not in sets - I just like to have them and would trade.
@Clackamas1 said:
All right I have no Idea who this Hansen guy is - I get it I was out of the loop for a decade+ and just jumped back in. I have a bunch of coins he needs/wants and what I wonder is that why I get calls from Heritage and emails all the time? - it is annoying - Why does he just not call? It is weird IMO. Most of mine are not for sale (I don't need the money) - but trades are possible - I also have on some moderns - all/most/some of the top POPS for certain coins but only publish 1. I also have some POP1's that are not important and not in sets - I just like to have them and would trade.
@Clackamas1 said:
All right I have no Idea who this Hansen guy is - I get it I was out of the loop for a decade+ and just jumped back in. I have a bunch of coins he needs/wants and what I wonder is that why I get calls from Heritage and emails all the time? - it is annoying - Why does he just not call? It is weird IMO. Most of mine are not for sale (I don't need the money) - but trades are possible - I also have on some moderns - all/most/some of the top POPS for certain coins but only publish 1. I also have some POP1's that are not important and not in sets - I just like to have them and would trade.
@Clackamas1 said:
All right I have no Idea who this Hansen guy is - I get it I was out of the loop for a decade+ and just jumped back in. I have a bunch of coins he needs/wants and what I wonder is that why I get calls from Heritage and emails all the time? - it is annoying - Why does he just not call? It is weird IMO. Most of mine are not for sale (I don't need the money) - but trades are possible - I also have on some moderns - all/most/some of the top POPS for certain coins but only publish 1. I also have some POP1's that are not important and not in sets - I just like to have them and would trade.
Curious if you could list some of the coins you feel he needs. I believe Mr Hansen reads this thread and certainly John Brush does too.
@Clackamas1 said:
All right I have no Idea who this Hansen guy is - I get it I was out of the loop for a decade+ and just jumped back in. I have a bunch of coins he needs/wants and what I wonder is that why I get calls from Heritage and emails all the time? - it is annoying - Why does he just not call? It is weird IMO. Most of mine are not for sale (I don't need the money) - but trades are possible - I also have on some moderns - all/most/some of the top POPS for certain coins but only publish 1. I also have some POP1's that are not important and not in sets - I just like to have them and would trade.
If you’re getting calls and emails that you’d rather not receive, feel free to email me at mfeld@ha.com with your account information.
How do you think he’d be able to call you directly?
Trades are usually much more complicated and difficult than direct purchases.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@Clackamas1 said:
All right I have no Idea who this Hansen guy is - I get it I was out of the loop for a decade+ and just jumped back in. I have a bunch of coins he needs/wants and what I wonder is that why I get calls from Heritage and emails all the time? - it is annoying - Why does he just not call? It is weird IMO. Most of mine are not for sale (I don't need the money) - but trades are possible - I also have on some moderns - all/most/some of the top POPS for certain coins but only publish 1. I also have some POP1's that are not important and not in sets - I just like to have them and would trade.
Heritage has a feature where you can designate coins you purchased in auction as available. You would then be contacted if someone inquires about obtaining the coin. You just need to go to your heritage account and change a setting.
Let’s stick with the coppers a couple more days. Earlier, you saw a great coin, the Early American Cent from Oliver Jung’s Collection. Today, we will start with a discussion of the Indian Cent series. No comparison to the EAC coins, but they are interesting and very popular. I don’t know, but I think they could fall somewhere in the top ten collectable sets. PCGS describes the registry set as: The Indian cent is one of the most famous of all United States coins. It is a lengthy (51 years) and challenging series. There have been thousands of collectors who have put together sets of Indian cents, but most collections are comprised of low grade circulated coins. A mint state collection of Indian Cents is a major accomplishment, particularly if they are in gem condition and are full red examples. The key date of this series has always been considered to be the low mintage 1877. Some other early dates, including the dates from 1867 through 1873 are difficult to locate in top condition. Interesting enough, the Indian Cents has been one the weaker D.L. Hansen series. I am not sure why, but just have, and still outside the all-time top five leaderboard.
The King of Indian Cents in the current PCGS registry is our friend and fellow community numismatics, Stuart Blay. His registry set fondly name “Red Copper” has been award for winning eight times since 2003. In 2021, Stuart reclaimed the top roost in the current registry. Stuart provides this information on his set: This is THE mint state collection of Indian Cents that will be appearing at the "SHOWDOWN" for the Long Beach coin and collectible show from September 25-28 2002 All the coins in this set from 1859 through 1865 as well as 1875 through 1909s grade ms66 red or better. This set boasts the finest example of an 1877 Indian cent seen !!! period. It is presently undergraded in an ms66 red holder. It has frost so thick and luster so gold and attractive, I call her the "Golden Princess". I have to say, Stuart builds his set for the long haul, and buys his coins for keeps. He does not retire much of his “stuff”.
The Castle Set Collection of Indian Cents in the only set to be honored with the PCGS Hall of Fame. The set was on top of the registry for years, 2010-2019. In the 2012 PCGS HOF description: How about starting off with a 100% complete set of Indian cents, with varieties, in an average grade of 67.48? If this is a start, where does it finish? Thirty-six coins in this set are already un-improvable. Kudos to “The Castle Collection.” A well deserved third award and an induction into the PCGS Set Registry Hall of Fame this year! The set was retired in 2019. Heritage offered The Castle Collection at the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money in August, 2019. The sale was about 74 pieces with 1877 MS66 Red PCGS, CAC, breaking the six figure barrier by realizing $114,000. I think Mr. Hansen may have had some minor participation in the sale, but did not acquire anything major.
The Jasper Mantooth/CCN Indian Set is what I would call a blip at the top of the registry. The set owner described the set as: What a journey! We were able to complete this set within three years and leap to the ALL TIME FINEST! All of these coins were hand selected by Numismatist Carlos Cabrera/CCN. Carlos Cabrera is a full member of PNG #786 and a Life Member at ANA. If you would like to build a collection of the best coins at wholesale levels call Carlos/CCN @ 888-832-7438 or email info@ccnumismatics.com. "Carlos did a fantastic job in helping me achieve my goals which was to have the best Indian Head cent collection ever! To my amazement we were able to surpass my expectations in just three years!" The set reach the top of the registry in October 2019, won the 2020 registry award and retired July 2020 as the All-Time Finest set ever assembled. It was recently announced that: Carlos Cabrera of Crescent City Numismatics announces the sale of the “Jasper Mantooth” collection to Eagle Eye Rare Coins of Tucson AZ. The collection, valued well over $1 million, is the top registry set in the PCGS registry for all-time finest Indian cent collection. The collection contains 30 coins which are finest known or tied for finest known. There are five coins which are single-graded finest known. There are 26 coins grading MS67RD or MS67+RD and a single MS68RD. I think many of you know Eagle Eye Rare Coins is owned by Rick Snow. Some of the coins from the collection were offered this past week by Heritage Auctions. I do not think the entire collection was offered for sale, and it does not appear any mention the coins were from Jasper Mantooth collection.
I am not sure if the set was offered to Mr. Hansen, if so, then he chose not be the registry leader in Indian Cents, although he was active in the Heritage sale by purchasing eight Jasper Mantooth specimens. There could be more, but these were the updates and upgrades to his collection that I have seen so far. Out of the five coins which are single-graded finest known, The Hansen Collection purchased one. That is the only Top Pop 1/0 specimen in the collection. The eight coins only moves the D.L, Hansen Collection up one spot in the all-time registry, from ninth to eighth.
1863 Indian Cent MS67, Ex: Jasper Mantooth
This coin stands alone as the only PCGS POP 1/0 coin in the D.L. Hansen Collection. Expert David Hall describes the coin as: The 1863 is the highest mintage of the 1860-64 copper-nickel Indian cents and it is the easiest to find in circulated grades and mint state grades through MS64. But interestingly, in MS 65 or better condition it is much tougher to find than the 1860, 1861, and 1862. This is usually a well struck coin. Luster and color can be bright and frosty or dull or somewhere in-between. PCGS Rarity and Survival Estimate gives 250 at MS65 or better. This coin recent broke out a gaggle of MS66+ PCGS certified specimens, 30 to be precise. I would think there will be more MS67 specimens in the future to join the Hansen’ 1863 at the top.
The coin appeared in Legend Auctions Regency XXII sale 7/13/2017. This sale appears to be around the beginning of the Jasper Mantooth Collection. Legend stated: There are 19 coins in MS66+ and NONE ARE FINER AT PCGS. These have brought between $4,000 and $7,500 when offered in auction, and while that range is quite wide, this one will likely sell in the middle of that range; the current Collector's Universe value is listed at $5,000. Good luck! We know since the sale, approx. 10 more coins have been graded MS66+. The Legend MS66+ coin was CAC approved which appear to have lost the sticker with the upgrade to MS67. Legend described the coin as: Pleasingly lustrous with peach-champagne accents in the lustrous golden-tan copper nickel surfaces. Razor sharp devices add to this coin's superb eye appeal. The coin realized $4,582.50 in a MS66+, CAC, PCGS holder.
The coin appeared this week in Heritage’s FUN US Coins Signature Auction. There is no hint of consigner or pedigree. It was described as: 1863 Cent, MS67, Single Finest at PCGS. In a more detailed description: The Civil War led to hoarding on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. In the North, gold and silver coins left commerce during 1862. Not long after, even the bronze Indian cent was hoarded. The U.S. Mint responded by increasing cent production, to nearly 50 million pieces in 1863. Today, examples are plentiful in most Mint State grades, but only the present lot has been certified by PCGS as MS67, with none finer. The lustrous rose-gold surfaces are fully struck and exhibit pristine fields. Contact is limited to a trio of hair-thin lines on the portrait. A major opportunity for the competitive Registry Set numismatist. The coin realized $20,400.
As I described earlier, this was not the only Jasper Mantooth specimen purchased in the Heritage Sale. I will follow-up with a little more detailed look as to the coins upgraded.
Provenance: Regency XXII (Legend 7, 2017 as PCGS MS66+ CAC), Lot 80, realized $4,582.50; Jasper Mantooth Collection; Eagle Eye Rare Coins; FUN US Coins Signature (Heritage 1/2021 as PCGS MS67), Lot 3341, realized $20,400, D.L. Hansen Collection
It's sad that so many of the top CAC coins are being cracked and upgraded. So wrong. Also it makes the CAC pops incorrect as many upgrades are not reported. Therefore CAC coins are worth even more. When will this end?
I look forward to pulling CAC stickers off my slabs, the neon green hologram detracts from the coin. CAC stickers are "chatter" to me, I would prefer the simplicity of the trusted grading company.
@Perfection said:
It's sad that so many of the top CAC coins are being cracked and upgraded. So wrong. Also it makes the CAC pops incorrect as many upgrades are not reported. Therefore CAC coins are worth even more. When will this end?
@Perfection said:
It's sad that so many of the top CAC coins are being cracked and upgraded. So wrong. Also it makes the CAC pops incorrect as many upgrades are not reported. Therefore CAC coins are worth even more. When will this end?
It won’t. That’s why I will no longer do sets...just a box of 20 of coins where the grade on the holder doesn’t create their value
Comments
Hi Ronnie,
Unfortunately the pedigree is incorrect.
It was brokered from Heritage Wholesale through DLRC to Mr. Hansen's collection...
Thanks!
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
.
Very good question. I discussed this at some point in past, but the question does present a little different twist. I agree Mr. Hansen is a vacuum cleaner on the high end market. But I would add, the high end market is really huge. At no point in time will all the high end coins be available, so market may not seem as big as it really is.
I believe very high end coins are the condition census top five specimens, not just the POP 1/0. Mr. Hansen is not buying all of them. Most of his duplicates are not top five specimens. There are a few coins that he has two top five specimens, but overall not that many. Also, there are many specimens that are non-PCGS certified, and he is not buying at all. As I have said before, I think the high end market could support 3-4 more big whales that could attempt assembling a similar collection. I don’t know we will see one. Logistically, to duplicate what Hansen Collection has accomplished in 4.5 years would be hard without a great team of people.
There may be other approaches to take. One could be the silent approach. Or the 25 year approach. How do we know that is not happening today? There are a lot of great coins that are out of sight, and have been for decades. I will close by saying, there are a few series that have the top coins all sucked up. It is not by Mr. Hansen alone, because in some cases he is just 3-4 in the current PCGS Registry. When this becomes wide spread in all the series, the high end market will then be vacuumed up by a group collectors.
Personally, I don’t think that will happen as long as there are dealers and collectors assembling top end sets for the sole purpose to market. I think there will always be top end coins available, but may not be in the series that you collect. The advantage that Mr. Hansen has, he can just move on to opportunities in other series.
Tidbit,
I took a quick look at Mr. Hansen Mega-Set. For the 6278 coins, there are 1742 coins (28%) that either he does not have a top five specimen or no coin at all.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
As gorgeous as it looks, the coin almost certainly has grade-limiting hairlines, which aren’t apparent in the images. That’s frequently the case with Proofs, which are virtually impossible to grade, based on images.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Mark, you were spot on regarding the hairlines.
The CoinFacts image of this coin shows them very well:
A TrueView can show hairlines........sometimes.
OINK
I so prefer when proofs are imaged like this:
Compared to this:
For a number of reasons.
Fortunately you can have both types of photos!
There are Two Types of 1859 Proof Quarter Eagles
I have been working on and off for several weeks on this posting. It started with the plan to post a new proof purchase from a Great Collection Sale (PR62 PCGS specimen). When I looked at the date, I discovery a good coin story could be told on the two proof types for the coin. The more I looked at the date; I felt that I remembered Mr. Hansen already had another specimen. I had difficulty confirming the second coin with my online research, so I reached out to John Brush. He replied: The 1859 is in the Hansen Collection as I sold it to him. The coin that he is confirming is a PF65DCAM PCGS Type II Specimen.
Coin Facts information for this coin is confusing and incomplete at the best. This is one of the better descriptions that I could find. The 1859 is the first Proof Liberty quarter eagle for which the mintage was recorded by Mint personnel. It is also the highest mintage Proof quarter eagle produced up until that time. Both these facts are the result of Mint Director James Ross Snowden's decision to begin marketing Proof sets to the general public on a large scale, a plan put into practice beginning in 1858. The late 1850s saw the first major boom in coin collecting in the United States, and Snowden's efforts were undoubtedly intended to capitalize on that upswing in the hobby. In anticipation of records sales for the era, the Mint struck 80 Proofs of each of the gold denominations current in 1859, from the gold dollar through the double eagle. Such expectations proved wildly optimistic, however, and numismatic scholars agree that only a small percentage of these coins were actually distributed to contemporary collectors. The balance of the mintages were either destroyed through melting or (more likely) released into circulation. The net distribution of the Proof 1859 quarter eagle will probably never be known, but through research into the historic numismatic auction record and other sources, we are able to establish the total number of coins known today with reasonable accuracy. Interestingly, the survivors include examples of both known reverse hub types that the Philadelphia Mint used to strike circulation strike quarter eagles in 1859. The Type I Reverse (a.k.a. Old Reverse) is identifiable by large arrowheads that are close to the letters ICA in AMERICA, with the top two arrowheads touching. Conversely, the Type II Reverse (a.k.a. New Reverse) displays small, fully separated arrowheads that are distant from the letters ICA. The Type II Reverse is attributed to Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre, and by 1862 it had completely replaced the Type I Reverse for Philadelphia Mint quarter eagles. Information provided by Stacks Bowers Auction 8/2015
Stated in a Stacks Bowers Auction, there are no more than 11 Proof 1859 quarter eagles of both reverse hub types extant. Three are impounded in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, American Numismatic Society and the Royal Mint in London and, thus, are not available for private ownership. Of the 11 known specimens, only three are the Type II Reverse, including the ANS specimen. By compiling some online research from past auctions, I made an attempt to create a complete roster. I found sixteen documented auctions from the Eliasberg Sale in 1992 to present. As more information comes available, there could be some additional certainly to the specimens that are questionable.
Type I – Old Reverse
1) Trompeter – Bass Specimen, PR66CAM PCGS, F. C. C. Boyd; World's Greatest Collection Sale (Numismatic Gallery, 1/46), lot 127; Memorable Sale (Numismatic Gallery, 3/48), lot 118; Wolfson Sale (Stack's, 10/62), lot 179; Spring Sale (Stack's, 4/78), lot 805; Ed Trompeter; Ed Trompeter Collection Sale (Superior, 2/92), lot 39, realized $48,400; Orlando Sale (Superior, 8/92), lot 562; Baltimore Sale (Superior, 8/92), lot 851; Harry W. Bass, Jr. III Sale, (Bowers & Merena 5/2000), Lot 191, realized $48,300; The Kennywood Collection, (ANR 1/2005), lot 865, realized $75,900; ANA05 Platinum Night, Heritage 7/2005), 10323, realized $80,500.
2) 1993-1996 Auction Specimen(s), PCGS PR66 Baltimore '93 Auction, (Superior Galleries 7/1993), lot 851, realized $41,800, FUN95 (Commodore Perry) Sale, (Bowers & Merena 1/1995), lot 1166, realized $30,800, ANA96 Sale, (Heritage, 8/1996), lot 8212, realized $36,300. Note: I cannot confirm the provenance of this coin or coins. It is very possible the specimen is the Trompeter – Bass Specimen.
3) Smithsonian Specimen, PR64DCAM (est.), United States Mint; National Numismatic Collection in the Smithsonian Institute.
4) Eliasberg Specimen, PR64 NGC, David S. Wilson Sale (S. H. Chapman, 3/07); John H. Clapp; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Louis E. Eliasberg, Jr.; United States Gold Coin Collection Sale (Bowers & Ruddy, 10/82), lot 186, realized $15,400, ; Dr. Jerry Buss Collection Sale (Superior, 1/85), lot 1714; H. W. Blevins Estate and George Bodway Collections Sale (Superior, 6/88), lot 6624, where it realized $19,800; (CSNS) Signature Sale, (Heritage 4/2002), lot 6894, realized $36,800.
5) Pittman Specimen, John Jay Pittman; John Jay Pittman Collection Sale (Akers, 10/97), lot 834, as part of an 1859 proof set.
6) The Royal Mint Museum Specimen, (Morton & Eden Ltd 3/2013), lot 609, realized $93,854 (Auction Record).
7) Hansen Specimen, PR62 PCGS, Stanley Kesselman, sold privately on 4/5/1971, Harry W. Bass, Jr. II Sale, (Bowers & Merena 10/1999) lot 503, as PCGS PR62, realized $10,925; PCGS Set Registry/Yellowstone Collection of U.S. Gold Coins(Great Collections 10/2020), GC Item ID: 889792, as PCGS PR62CAM 40406024, realized $32,650, D.L. Hansen Collection
8) Private Collection Specimen (per Stacks Bowers)
Type II – New Reverse
1) Hansen Specimen, PF65DCAM PCGS, William Cutler Atwater Sale (B. Max Mehl, 6/46), lot 1963, realized $70; Amon Carter Collection Sale (Stack's, 1/84), lot 553, realized $13,750; ANA U.S. Coins Sale, (Stack's Bowers 8/2015), lot 10212, realized $64,625; Purchased in Private Transaction (David Lawrence Rare Coins 11/2018).
2) Reed Specimen, PR64 CAM NGC, Byron Reed; Omaha City Library; Byron Reed Collection Sale (Spink America, 10/96), lot 55, realized $35,300; Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage's 6/2015), lot 4202.
3) ANS specimen J. P. Morgan; American Numismatic Society.
At one point in time, the Reed Specimen was believed to be unique for a Proof 1859 quarter eagle of the Type II Reverse. (See the listing for this issue on page 120 of the 2008 reference Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins: 1795-1933 by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth.). As of today, there are three that are currently recognized and Mr. Hansen has the finest known of three. With the recent purchase from Great Collections, the D.L. Hansen Collection now has both types.
1859 Proof Quarter Eagle, Type 1 - Old Rev., PR62CAM, Ex: Harry Bass Duplicate Specimen
Bad news, the coin is at the bottom of the condition census roster, but good news, the roster is very short. I confirmed with help from Ron Guth, the coin is a Harry Bass duplicate that was offered in his Bass II sale in 1999.
The appeared in a Great Collections Auction. In a press release, they described the sale as: GreatCollections is pleased to announce the auction of the Yellowstone Collection of U.S. Gold Coins scheduled for Sunday, October 4. The collection comprises over 100 certified coins and were mostly acquired from 2000 to 2008. The collection includes many rarities, some of which are universally known, including a key-date 1929 Indian Half Eagle, graded PCGS MS65. But some are much rarer and less recognized, such as the 1859 Liberty Quarter Eagle, graded PCGS PR62CAM. The whole collection is being auctioned unreserved, with bidding to commence at $1. GreatCollections has estimated the total value of the collection at well over $1 million.
There was no other description given by Great Collection for the 1859 Proof Quarter Eagle. There was no mention of any connection to the Bass Collection. The Coin Facts information stated the PR62 PCGS grade specimen is pedigreed to Stanley Kesselman, sold privately on 4/5/1971 - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:503, $10,925. The POP report has one PR62 and one PR62CAM specimen listed. I believe the two coins are the same. The coin realized $32,650 in the Great Collections sale. PCGS price guide does not give a value for the PR62 specimen.
1859 Proof Quarter Eagle, Type II – New Rev., PF65DCAM PCGS, Ex: Atwater/Carter Specimen
The rare of the two types is the Type II – New Reverse. This coin has been in the D.L. Hansen Collection for about two years, but has been living below the radar. It will not anymore. The issue with this coin is the coin number 534180 cannot be use in any of the registry sets. It appears to me, there is not a set that requires the Type II coin. The coin remains in inventory, but Mr, Hansen cannot do anything with it. At some point, I hope he can get this corrected by PCGS.
For the community that has been following the thread, you know that William Cutter Atwater is one of my favorite early completest. Naturally, I was eager to see another one of his coins coming into the Hansen Collection. For Quarter Eagles, his collection started in 1859 and appears to be a complete proof run to 1915. In the B. Max Mehl description, he wrote or the 1862 Quarter Eagle: Extremely rare in proof. Recent record $75.00, but in my humble opinion these beautiful gold coins in brilliant proof condition are almost priceless and worth more than their present market. Priceless in 1946 resulted in $70.00!
The next traceable appearance was the Amon Carter Sale in 1984. After this appearance, the coin will go about 35 years before it appears in auction again. At the ANA U.S. Coins Sale in August 2015, the coin was offered by Stack's Bowers Auctions. The coin was headlined as a Significant Type II Reverse, Exceedingly Rare Proof 1859 Liberty Quarter Eagle. It was described as: This exquisite coin is noteworthy for both its rarity and phenomenal eye appeal. Deeply mirrored fields support satin-textured devices with profound cameo contrast, as suggested by the DCAM designation from PCGS. Full, razor sharp definition characterizes the devices. Light golden-orange color is evenly distributed throughout and the surfaces readily uphold the coveted Gem grade. This is a lovely specimen, a coin whose technical and aesthetic qualities would elicit strong bids from specialists even if it were one of the more readily obtainable Proof Liberty quarter eagles. That it is an exceedingly rare 1859 is simply incredible, making it one of the most important Proof quarter eagles of any type that we have ever offered. The coin realized $64,625, Auction Record for Type Two. This is a big difference from 1946 when the coin realized $70 in the Atwater Sale. In 2018, the coin was purchased in a private transaction with David Lawrence Rare Coins. Presently, there is not a PCGS registry set that you can see the pair together, so I will show you the coins as a pair.
1859 Proof Quarter Eagle, Type 1 - Old Rev., PR62CAM, Ex: Harry Bass Duplicate Specimen
PR62CAM CERTIFICATION #40406024, PCGS #87885, PCGS POP 1/3
1859 Proof Quarter Eagle, Type II – New Rev., PF65DCAM PCGS, Ex: Atwater/Carter Specimen
PR65DCAM CERTIFICATION #28586097, PCGS #534180, PCGS POP 1/0
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Branch Mint Liberty Head Quarter Eagle Upgrade
After spending this past couple weeks posting proof gold, I think it is a good time to switch up a little and post an old gold piece from a branch mint. What better branch mint is there for quarter eagles with that little “o”. When you have a mega-collection as the D.L. Hansen Collection, there are hundreds and maybe thousands of subsets. We will take a closer look at one of those subsets today. New Orleans Gold $2-1/2 Basic Circulation Strikes (1839-1857) set only requires 13 coins. The Hansen Collection has two complete sets. Let’s break down the top set.
The top set has condition grade from AU58 to MS65. The two AUs are nice candidates for upgrades, although the 1845-O will not be an easy undertaking. Also, there are three coins outside the top five PCGS certified. The “worst” coin is the 1854-O MS61, POP 12/15. David Akers describes the coin as: This is a fairly common date, but most available specimens are well worn. Mr. Hansen should be able to find a nice top five replacement. The next coin that is one up from the bottom is the 1840-O AU58, POP 14/11. The coin is CAC Approved, but I am sure a better grade and appearance coin can be found. The third and last is a borderline top five at POP 9/5. The 1843-O MS63 “Large Date Variety” is the sole finest, there are five better specimens for the “Small Date Variety”. In fact, there is at least one GEM can be found in “Small Date Variety”. Hansen’s current “Small Date” is a MS61 which is not represented in the set below.
The 13-piece set has four PCGS sole finest specimens, POP 1/0. Also, there is one other coin tied for finest. We discussed there are three coins not in top five, so that translate to 10 of the 13 dates are PCGS Top Five (77%). This is a truly beautiful little New Orleans Branch Mint set of Quarter Eagles.
1851-O Quarter Eagle MS64, Sole Finest Certified by PCGS
The new coin replaces an 1851-O, MS62 Certification #81690088, POP 8/5. David Akers describes the coin as: This date is not particularly scarce in lower grades but is very difficult to obtain in full mint state. One interesting variety of this date has a double date. The first date was punched sloping down to the right and then was only partially effaced before the date was punched into the proper position. To the best of my knowledge, The Hansen Collection has two mint state specimens, MS62 and MS64. Doug Winter commented: The mintage figure for this date is the second highest of any New Orleans quarter eagle. It is a much scarcer coin than the lower mintage 1845-O and is comparable to dates such as the 1850-O and 1852-O in high grades. The 1851-O is among the more common New Orleans quarter eagles, although it is scarcer than its relatively high mintage suggests. It is most easily found in VF and EF grades. It becomes scarce in the higher AU grades and is rare in Uncirculated. There are perhaps four or five Choice to Very Choice pieces known and a single Gem. I am not able to find out any additional information on the single GEM.
The coin’s first appearance that I can trace was May 2007 Heritage sale. In PCGS auction history, this is the only appearance for a MS64 graded coin. According to the NGC POP report, there is one coin graded MS65 (also noted by Doug Winter), but it has never shown up in auction. There are no NGC graded MS64 specimens. There have been four times that an MS63 specimen have appeared in auction from 1993 to 2000. Two of the coins were from the Harry Bass Collection. Yes, he had two in his collection. I can rule one of them out by images. I cannot rule out the other Bass Specimen or coins in the other two auctions. Maybe one day, there may be an earlier trace for this coin.
In the Heritage (CSNS) Signature Coin, the coin appeared as Near-Gem 1851-O Quarter Eagle Rarity, MS64 PCGS, Breen-6214, Doubled Date. Heritage described the date as: The date was first entered out of position, with remnants of a 51 below and left of the final position. While a common coin by O-mint standards, the 1851-O is an elusive issue in mint condition. There was mentioned of the GEM specimen: In fact, this appears to be the second finest coin known with only one piece certified higher, an NGC MS65. It is the finest certified by PCGS, and the only one at this grade level (4/07). The coin has stood the test of time for being PCGS sole finest for at least 14 years. It realized an Auction Record of $20,700. The record has also withstood the test of time, until a couple months ago.
Heritage described the coin’s appearance as: The surfaces display the bright, satiny mint luster one would expect of an O-mint quarter eagle from this period--the obverse is brighter yellow-gold in color and the reverse is more subdued green-gold. The design details display the usual softness that is inherent to this issue with weak definition, especially on the eagle. The peripheral details, though, are surprisingly strong. There are no mentionable surface defects on either side of this exceptional Condition Census quarter eagle. I do not believe the coin has a CAC sticker.
I discovered this coin when I was researching the Yellowstone Collection offered in October 2020 by Great Collection. I wrote on the collection a few days ago. The Hansen 1859 Proof Quarter Eagle was from this great collection. The 1851-O Quarter Eagle realized $27,690.75 with buyer fees (New Auction Record). This is a nice specimen that upgrades a very nice little collection of New Orleans Quarter Eagles. More to come I am sure.
Provenance: CSNS Signature Coin Auction (Heritage 5/2007), Lot 2230, realized $20,700; Yellowstone Collection of U.S. Gold Coins (Great Collections 10/2020), GC Item ID: 889744, realized $27,690.75 (Auction Record), The D.L. Hansen Collection.
1851-O Quarter Eagle MS64
PCGS POP 1/0, Sole Finest by PCGS
Certification #02735358, PCGS #7762
PCGS Value Guide: $27,500 / Realized $27,690.75
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I am out of the loop - what is the goal?
.
One suggestion is to look back on my postings from 12/31/20 and 1/1/21 (one page back), and there is a pretty good description what drives this mega collection. For more details, there was a great article in Coin Review, Nov/Dec 1999. It is a good read if you what to learn more about history in the making.
https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=629424
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Thank you,
Proof like Quarter Dollar Upgrade
PCGS Prooflike (PL) coins. Do you like them? They are a sort of a weird species. They are not exactly a hybrid. They definitely are not a proof, although they are confused for them quite often. Before the TPG days, they were commonly confused for proofs. They are business strikes by birth, but were born with some special qualities. For a very long time, a few series have been recognized for this special birth mark, for example Morgan Dollars. About 18 months ago, PCGS expanded the designation to all coins. This is the press release: Now, all qualifying mint state U.S. and world coins, tokens and medals can be PCGS-certified as PL - (Santa Ana, California) – Any and all qualifying mint state United States and world coins, as well as tokens and medals submitted to Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com), are now eligible to receive the desirable designation, Prooflike (PL). The formal announcement about the expansion of PL eligibility is yet another positive opportunity for collectors and dealers to showcase their PCGS-certified coins. According to PCGS standards, a coin’s surface is Prooflike when there is a clear reflection in the fields on both sides as viewed from two to four inches away. A cloudy effect or striations may impede the reflectivity. The PL designation was available first for qualifying Morgan silver dollars when PCGS opened for business in February 1986. Since then, additional U.S. coin denominations and types have been added, such as California fractional gold and world coins, in the past year.
Since this first announcement, we have seen a few of the special coins added to the D.L. Hansen Collection. In the registry, these coins are considered the same a business strike and no additional points are given for the PL designation. When the coin is a PCGS sole finest certified, have the PL designation, and is CAC Approved, then that is the making of a very special coin. The new Hansen coin has the first two attributes.
I made an attempt to list all the Hansen PL coins that I could find. I did not include Morgan Dollars. As you can see, the list has grown pretty good the past 18 months.
1863 Three Cent Silver MS67PL
1868 Three Cent Silver1 MS64+ PL, CAC Approved
1870 Half Dime MS68PL
1884-S Dime MS66PL
1883 Quarter Dollar MS67PL, CAC Approved
1886 Quarter Dollar MS62PL
1894 Quarter Dollar MS67+ PL
1878-S Half Dollar MS64PL CAC, Ex: Eugene Gardener
1900-O Half Dollar MS66PL, CAC Approved
1900-S Half Dollar MS65PL
1872 Gold Dollar MS63PL
1831 Quarter Eagle MS66+ PL
1883 Quarter Eagle MS60PL, CAC Approved
1891 Quarter Eagle MS64PL
1867 Three Dollar MS67+ PL, CAC Approved
1870 Three Dollar 1 MS65+ PL CAC Approved
1877 Three Dollar 1 MS63PL
1886 Three Dollar MS65PL
1877 Half Eagle MS61PL
1868 Eagle MS61PL
1886 Double Eagle MS63+ PL
1894 Barber Quarter Dollar, MS67+ PL, Sole Finest by PCS
I believed this to be the first Barber PL specimen to join the collection. The collection does have two Seated Liberty Quarter Dollars. There are two Barber Half Dollars, but I could not find a Barber Dime with the PL designation. This coin replaces pair of CAC Appoved 1894 Barber Quarter Dollar, MS66+, certification #50138461 & 36829876, POP 6/1. The Hansen Collection has two of the six MS66+ specimens. Jaime Hernandez describes the coin as: The 1894 Barber Quarter is one of the more common dates in the series, as many examples were struck for this date. In uncirculated condition they are scarce in all grades. Especially in MS65 condition or higher. MS66 examples are even harder to find. Anything grading higher than MS66 is very rare. The Hansen Collection now has three specimens grading higher than MS66.
The coin’s first appearance that I can trace was January 2020 Heritage sale. The provenance given is from The Watermark Collection. I did try to trace an early provenance using the Coin Fact and Past Auction images available online. I could not come up with any matches. The coin has the look of a Eugene Gardener coin, but I verified the coin in his collection did not match. Maybe one day, there may be an earlier trace for this coin.
In the Heritage FUN US Coins Signature Auction in Orlando, it appeared as 1894 Quarter, Toned MS67+ Prooflike, The Only Coin So Designated at PCGS. Heritage described the coin as: At first glance this coin really looks like a proof. It takes close examination to convince yourself it is not. The most telling aspect is the lack of high-point definition on the feathers of the eagle on the reverse. Prooflike circulation strikes can often be differentiated from actual proofs by the presence of numerous tiny marks the coin picked up while it was bagged and jostled around with other pieces, but even that is not helpful when examining this coin. The coin displays unfathomably deep mirrors on each side, and the blue-green and rose toning is brightened considerably by the depth of reflectivity seen in the fields. Prooflike designation is still a relatively new area of speciality for collectors of PCGS coins. Certainly in the years to come other Prooflike 1894 quarters will surface, but we doubt any will exceed this piece in terms of technical grade as well as sheer aesthetic appeal. To date (11/19), this is the only Prooflike 1894 quarter certified by PCGS. There is also only one NGC-certified example of this issue, and that piece grades MS65. The coin realized $17,400, Auction Record.
In just a few months, the coin appeared again in a June 2020 Stacks Bowers Auction. The second round was not quite the charm. The coin realized $14,400 in this auction. There was no pedigree offered in the sale. The coin was described as: This gorgeous and pristine example displays vibrant colorful iridescence in the fields. A blend of magenta, turquoise, violet, and gold color frames dove-grey across the devices. The fields are remarkably reflective, contrasting with the more satiny texture of the design elements. Sharply struck and entirely free of notable marks. As a Prooflike Superb Gem, this is a decided condition rarity that will be a highlight in any cabinet. It ranks as the sole finest 1894 quarter graded by PCGS or NGC in any category. It is also the only example with a PL designation from PCGS. NGC has certified just a single PL coin at MS-65 PL.
Mr. Hansen did not pop in either of the two auction opportunities. I have no knowledge if he bided on the coins or not. This coin turned out to be another post auction opportunity. It was purchased in a private transaction from Harry Laibstain Rare Coins last fall. I found the offering in an outdated price list. As some of you may know, HLRC produces Premium Inventory List and post at HLRC.com. In one of the posting, the coin was offered for $24,000. As ways, we have no idea of the negotiated price in the private transaction. This is a nice prooflike upgrade.
Provenance: The Watermark Collection / FUN US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage 1/2020), Lot 4168, realized $17,400 (Auction Record); Numismatic Americana and Early American Coins (Stacks Bowers 6/2020). Lot 467, realized $14,400; Purchased in Private Transaction (HLRC Coin 9/2020), D.L. Hansen Collection
1894 Barber Quarter Dollar, MS67+ PL
PCGS POP 1/0, Sole Finest by PCGS
Certification #38475132, PCGS #779043
PCGS Value Guide: unknown / Realized $17,400 (1/2020)
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
The 1886 Double Eagle MS63+ PL is a special coin. It is the finest of 3 graded by PCGS in mint state and the only PL example. It was previously in the impressive AWA collection.
Umm does not Hansen own DLRC?
Proof Eagle Addition
We have seen a lot of activity in the proof gold recently. I asked John Brush if this was a new focus. He said, no not really a change in focus. He continued by saying the Hansen Basic set is getting to a point that upgrade opportunities are diminishing. This has opened up an opportunity to look harder at some other coins. I think we are seeing that with the gold proofs.
In the past weeks, I have often spoken on what I call the collector set of gold proofs (1859-1915). In researching the complete set of this makeup, I have not found a collection or collector that has achieved this difficult feat. I am not saying there is not one from the past or present, and I will continue to look. Just at this point, I have not turned one up. Even the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian institute comes up short. The Collection have an amazing compete set of Liberty Head Double Eagles, but only 93.55% complete for the One dollar gold. Ed Trompeter , Hall of Fame for his Gold Proof, was complete for the eight of the sets that I show below, including the Four Dollar Stellas, but it appear he may not have been complete for three of the Liberty Head Sets, including Half Eagles, Eagles, and Double Eagles. I need more research to confirm. Louis Eliasberg had one of the greatest sets of proof gold, but the collection was mixed with proof and mint strikes. It appears the ratio of the mix was about 85% proof to 15% Mint strike. Harry W. Bass, another Hall of Fame Collection known for Gold did not have a compete run of proof gold from 1859-1915. I took a look of William Cutter Atwater’s catalog. He had very nice runs of Proof Gold starting in 1859, but there were a few pieces here and there that were mint strikes. For example, the Liberty Head Double Eagles were complete proof, except for 1862 in fine condition, 1877 and 1878 brilliant uncirculated condition.
So to sum up, PCGS does not have a set to represent this 294 piece proof set. I think it would make a beautiful display if Hansen or someone else completes the 294 piece set someday. It would be nice if PCGS would create registry set. So, with not set available in PCGS, and Mr. Hansen has not focused on the set, then how is he doing? In thinking of a cool way to visualize the set, I created the chart below from Registry sets.
So, as you can see, The D.L. Hansen Collection is well on the way for completing this set. Currently at 70.4%, this is below the percentage’s I think you will find in the sets that I mention above. For the Bass, Eliasberg, Atwater collection, I think you will find them to be 85-90%. The current number of coins that is needed by Mr. Hansen is 87. I think all of them are collectable. This will make an interesting watch in weeks and months to come.
1895 Liberty Head Eagle, PR64DCAM, CAC Approved, Ex: Pittman
OK, now for the addition, 1895 Liberty Head Proof Eagle, The official mintage give for this coin is 56. CoinFacts gives the Rarity and Survival Estimates at 35 for all grades. So, there should be plenty to satisfy the collecting community right? Wrong! Since the Eliasberg sale in 1982, the coin has appeared in auction only 27 times. By my math, that is less than once per year as an average. Since 2012, there were only six appearances. There was a 5-year gap from 2012 -2017 with no appearances.
Before this weekend, the new Hansen coin appeared only once in auction that I can find. The John Jay Pittman II Sale hosted by David Akers in 1998. I don’t know much about the auction except the provenance is given to Kosoff (1962). I think that would be Abe Kosoff. The coin realized $44,000, but not much more information is given.
The coin appeared in a Great Collections auction this past Sunday. The coin was part a complete proof gold 1895 set. The set produced some discussion on another thread in our community site. Ian Russel from Great Collections commented: These were hand-picked by an advanced collector over the past 30 years. Now, this does not specifically tell us that the 1895 Proof Eagle has been in this collection for 30 years. We know it was not, because the coin was auctioned 22 years ago. It is very possible and maybe likely, the advanced collector purchased the coin 22 years ago. It’s a little amazing the coin did not appreciate in 22 years. The current PCGS price guide values that coin at only $37,500. We saw when the Hansen team did comps on the coin, they valued it much more and paid up. The coin realized $48,937.50 with buyer’s fees.
In reviewing the bid history, it appears Mr. Hansen placed the winning bid around 3:37 pm Sunday afternoon and walked away. The bid held up. He also needed the Double Eagle. It appear by bid history, he may have placed (cannot confirm) a walk-a-way bid of $140,000 (plus fees) on the Double Eagle at 3:26 pm. He did not bid again. This coin had three other bidders battling up to end of the auction. The winning bid was $177,500 ($199,687.50 with buyer fees). The 1895 Double Eagle Proof will have to wait for another day.
Provenance: Abe Kosoff (1962); John Jay Pittman II, (David Akers 5/1998), lot 1979, realized $44,000; Well-known advance collector (Great Collections 1/2021), GC Item ID: 930278, realized $48,937.50.
1895 Liberty Head Eagle, PR64DCAM, Ex: Pittman
PCGS POP 2/5, CAC Approved
Certification #50021190, PCGS #98835
PCGS Coin Guide Value: $37,500 / Ask $48,937.50
Ex: Kosoff / Pittman
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Speaking of proof eagles. Did DLH pickup the 1804 ?
When I posted something about the 4 Gold Proof 1895 coins up for auction last week I wondered if Hansen would go after any of them. That question was answered. All 4 ($2.5, $5, $10, $20) were amazing coins.
Successful BST with BustDMs , Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino (CBH's - 37 Die Marriage's)
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
The 1895 was cheap. Nice coin. I would have purchased it as I love CAC Tens but I have the other one. I thought the 20 was cheap. If you look at records I believe that only 13 PR 65 Dcams
CAC have ever sold. EVER. That is hard to fathom. Of course you could count the PR 66 Dcams non CAc as they are really 65's!
No
He's my partner in the business.
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 certainly hope it was you Bruce.
I was the underbidder. Oliver posted on Facebook that he bought it
Yes I bought it and now I know the feeling of being the underbidder (on the Brasher).
Well if you’d have gone one more bid I’d have nailed the price....
Very nice pick Oliver. What’s your plans? Reassembling the 1834 proof set would be cool. Congradulations
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Yes you were close, not even I would have guessed that !
really no plans, just wanted the coin. Will do a box of three
1838$10 and 1804$10 What’s the 3rd?
Dont know yet !
Was supposed to be the Brasher Dabloon.
Anyone know who bought the Brasher?
Latin American Collection
Someone completely new to coins
A new big fish!
"The most awesome large cent I've ever seen." Denis Loring, Penny-Wise, January 1981
After 40 years, the statement is still true today. Are these coins still getting the love they deserve? I was reading a thread posted by @rays titled: Heritage early half cents sold today reveal major EAC market weakness. He continued to say, Three major early US half cent rarities sold today by Heritage revealed weakness in the EAC market. In my estimation, the top of the US coin market was the FUN show January 2014. I cannot argue his point. Later in the thread, @tradedollarnut posted a comment: Not just half cents, and referenced this new D.L. Hansen purchase. There is no question in my mind; the Early American Cooper has lost some of its mojo. In the registry, the interest still seems to be there. There still is HOF Jim McGuigan that ranks on top with Half Cents and High Desert on top for Large Cents. There is D. L. Hansen Collection in distance second in both series. It appear most of the other collectors may be pursuing circulated condition specimens. Not knowing the EAC collections outside the registry, the registry does not appear to have a “weakness” of collectors.
I will say that I have not seen Mr. Hansen having a keen interest of EAC series until recently. I saw a peeked interest of the sale of ESM coppers. Now with this pickup, I am wondering if Mr. Hansen sees this as a great opportunity to jump into the pool. I know Donald G. Partrick EAC Collection is scheduled for Heritage Platinum Night in April. The collection has a 1797 NGC VG8 “Gripper Edge” Half Cent. This is the last coin in which the D.L. Hansen Set needs to complete the Half Cent Circulating Strike Collection. I heard rumor of another copper sale coming, but have not seen an announce yet. It will be interesting to watch and see what happens.
1811 Large Cent “S-287”, MS65RD PCGS, CAC Approved, Ex: Pogue / Jung
The coin was purchase this week in the Heritage FUN US Coins Signature Auction. It is from The Oliver Jung Collection. We know him on the forum as @privaterarecoincollector. If you don’t know, Mr. Jung assembled the all-time finest US Type Set. Still today, the 133 piece set stands alone at the top of the registry. The 1811 Large Cent MS65RD was one of the 133 coins in Mr. Jung’s great set. As with many coins, there are opinions that the best coin may not always be the best grade. Here is the way Heritage addressed the coin: It will surprise no one that this MS65 Red representative ranks atop the Condition Census. There is one other coin certified numerically finer -- an MS66 Red and Brown (Ex: Miller-Sloss-Helfenstein-Holmes-ESM) -- but it does not show anywhere near the degree of original mint-red color that this Gem does. With the finest S-286 coin being an MS63 Brown piece, this example has a legitimate, if not indisputable, claim to being the single finest 1811 Classic Head cent known to collectors. Can it be much clearer? This was stated by Stacks Bowers in the Pogue sale: There are remarkably few survivors of this date with significant remaining mint color. The Helfenstein-Holmes example of this die marriage, graded PCGS MS-66 RB, is the only 1811 graded higher than this one, but its proportion of mint red pales in comparison. That coin is one of just four RB entries for this date on the PCGS Population Report. This piece is not only the sole 1811 certified as RD by PCGS, it is the only cent of the entire design type with the designation. For fans of original color, there is no more important 1811 cent.
There is no question the coin is remarkable, if it was not, we would not have found it from the Pogue/ Jung Collections. Not only does the coin have remarkable appearance and color, but the coin has a very strong pedigree dating back to Dr. Henry W. Beckwith. Stacks Bowers Comment: Dr. Henry W. Beckwith, who Breen famously called "the first perfectionist," had a soft spot for cents with abundant mint color and unusual stories of discovery. He acquired an 1801 S-223 and an 1807 S-271, both ex Bement, that had been found together in a trunk in Rhode Island, as well as the 1807 S-273 that had been passed down among the descendants of Col. Joshua Pierce since the year it was struck, Pierce's birth year. His 1794 Sheldon-29 was discovered among the property of an old Philadelphia family in 1914. There are many stories of individual high grade cents that had been lost, and then found. One of the finest known 1801 S-216 cents was found inside an old desk at the Essex Institute in the 1930s, and still-red 1821 cents were found within a Boston cornerstone about 1979. The nine 1809 cents found inside another cornerstone, that of the Mansion House Hotel in Philadelphia, are less well known, but Montroville W. Dickeson reported in 1859 that "the most perfect specimens known" come from there. In more recent years, two high grade cents dated 1793 and 1794 were discovered in the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House in Boston, examined, publicized, and then put back. Unfortunately, neither had survived the ravages of time and humanity well. According to Mr. Jung’s comments: This coin found in an old desk in New Haven, 1915”. Very fitting don’t you think.
In the Heritage sale this week, the coin was described as: This spectacular Gem is struck from an early state of the dies without any evidence of clashing or bulging. The first coins off the press were struck from slightly misaligned dies, resulting in consistent softness on the left-side stars, as here. The centers are pale coppery gold with lighter silvery rose accents around and within the hidden areas of the design. Steel-blue, almost teal patina occurs around the peripheries. Seemingly, the only grade-limiting tick is a microscopic one left of the first 1 in the date. Exceptionally preserved and attractive, this Gem undoubtedly competes with the finest Classic Head cents, being the only one in the entire series (1808-1814) certified in the Red color category at PCGS (11/20). Our EAC grade MS65. The coin had a PCGS Price Guide value of $500,000. I say “had”, because I think at some point we may see this price drop, due to the coin only realized $198,000. This was quite a bargain I would say.
Provenance: Dr. Henry W. Beckwith Collection (S. Hudson Chapman, 4/1923), lot 45; S. Hudson Chapman; Rev. William H. Owen, Jr. Collection; Yale University, before 1944; stolen in a May 29, 1965 robbery and subsequently recovered, but declined by the university following a successful insurance claim payment; William H. Foster; John Rowe III and Q. David Bowers; Lester Merkin (c. 1971); Richard Picker; C. Douglas Smith Collection; L.A. Collection of U.S. Type Coins, by sale via Stack's; 55th Anniversary Sale (Stack's, 10/1990), lot 1594; Anthony Terranova, Martin Paul, and Silvano DiGenova; Chicago Sale (Superior Galleries, 8/1991), lot 361; Steven L. Contursi; Worrell Collection (Superior Galleries, 9/1993), lot 119; Rarities Sale (Bowers and Merena, 7/ 2005), lot 16, via Anthony Terranova, realized $138,000;D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V (Stack's Bowers, 3/2017), lot 5135, realized $493,500; The Oliver Jung Collection (Heritage 1/2021), lot 3986, realized $198,000, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1811 Large Cent “S-287”, MS65RD PCGS
PCGS, POP 1/0, CAC Approved, Sole Red Certified by PCGS
Certification #32709096, PCGS #36498
PCGSPG: $500,000 / realized $198,000
Ex: Pogue / Jung
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Nice for Dell Loy to get a great price on a great coin. Congratulations!
well done !
RD or RB? (Beautiful coin either way)
Smitten with DBLCs.
All right I have no Idea who this Hansen guy is - I get it I was out of the loop for a decade+ and just jumped back in. I have a bunch of coins he needs/wants and what I wonder is that why I get calls from Heritage and emails all the time? - it is annoying - Why does he just not call? It is weird IMO. Most of mine are not for sale (I don't need the money) - but trades are possible - I also have on some moderns - all/most/some of the top POPS for certain coins but only publish 1. I also have some POP1's that are not important and not in sets - I just like to have them and would trade.
Contact John Brush @ DLRC
@JBatDavidLawrence
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Curious if you could list some of the coins you feel he needs. I believe Mr Hansen reads this thread and certainly John Brush does too.
I am also very curios and would love to see a list of coins.
Successful BST with BustDMs , Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino (CBH's - 37 Die Marriage's)
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
If you’re getting calls and emails that you’d rather not receive, feel free to email me at mfeld@ha.com with your account information.
How do you think he’d be able to call you directly?
Trades are usually much more complicated and difficult than direct purchases.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Respectfully this is hard to believe . Tell us a few coins that you have that he needs,
.
End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All Of Us
Heritage has a feature where you can designate coins you purchased in auction as available. You would then be contacted if someone inquires about obtaining the coin. You just need to go to your heritage account and change a setting.
Indian Cent Upgrade
Let’s stick with the coppers a couple more days. Earlier, you saw a great coin, the Early American Cent from Oliver Jung’s Collection. Today, we will start with a discussion of the Indian Cent series. No comparison to the EAC coins, but they are interesting and very popular. I don’t know, but I think they could fall somewhere in the top ten collectable sets. PCGS describes the registry set as: The Indian cent is one of the most famous of all United States coins. It is a lengthy (51 years) and challenging series. There have been thousands of collectors who have put together sets of Indian cents, but most collections are comprised of low grade circulated coins. A mint state collection of Indian Cents is a major accomplishment, particularly if they are in gem condition and are full red examples. The key date of this series has always been considered to be the low mintage 1877. Some other early dates, including the dates from 1867 through 1873 are difficult to locate in top condition. Interesting enough, the Indian Cents has been one the weaker D.L. Hansen series. I am not sure why, but just have, and still outside the all-time top five leaderboard.
The King of Indian Cents in the current PCGS registry is our friend and fellow community numismatics, Stuart Blay. His registry set fondly name “Red Copper” has been award for winning eight times since 2003. In 2021, Stuart reclaimed the top roost in the current registry. Stuart provides this information on his set: This is THE mint state collection of Indian Cents that will be appearing at the "SHOWDOWN" for the Long Beach coin and collectible show from September 25-28 2002 All the coins in this set from 1859 through 1865 as well as 1875 through 1909s grade ms66 red or better. This set boasts the finest example of an 1877 Indian cent seen !!! period. It is presently undergraded in an ms66 red holder. It has frost so thick and luster so gold and attractive, I call her the "Golden Princess". I have to say, Stuart builds his set for the long haul, and buys his coins for keeps. He does not retire much of his “stuff”.
The Castle Set Collection of Indian Cents in the only set to be honored with the PCGS Hall of Fame. The set was on top of the registry for years, 2010-2019. In the 2012 PCGS HOF description: How about starting off with a 100% complete set of Indian cents, with varieties, in an average grade of 67.48? If this is a start, where does it finish? Thirty-six coins in this set are already un-improvable. Kudos to “The Castle Collection.” A well deserved third award and an induction into the PCGS Set Registry Hall of Fame this year! The set was retired in 2019. Heritage offered The Castle Collection at the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money in August, 2019. The sale was about 74 pieces with 1877 MS66 Red PCGS, CAC, breaking the six figure barrier by realizing $114,000. I think Mr. Hansen may have had some minor participation in the sale, but did not acquire anything major.
The Jasper Mantooth/CCN Indian Set is what I would call a blip at the top of the registry. The set owner described the set as: What a journey! We were able to complete this set within three years and leap to the ALL TIME FINEST! All of these coins were hand selected by Numismatist Carlos Cabrera/CCN. Carlos Cabrera is a full member of PNG #786 and a Life Member at ANA. If you would like to build a collection of the best coins at wholesale levels call Carlos/CCN @ 888-832-7438 or email info@ccnumismatics.com. "Carlos did a fantastic job in helping me achieve my goals which was to have the best Indian Head cent collection ever! To my amazement we were able to surpass my expectations in just three years!" The set reach the top of the registry in October 2019, won the 2020 registry award and retired July 2020 as the All-Time Finest set ever assembled. It was recently announced that: Carlos Cabrera of Crescent City Numismatics announces the sale of the “Jasper Mantooth” collection to Eagle Eye Rare Coins of Tucson AZ. The collection, valued well over $1 million, is the top registry set in the PCGS registry for all-time finest Indian cent collection. The collection contains 30 coins which are finest known or tied for finest known. There are five coins which are single-graded finest known. There are 26 coins grading MS67RD or MS67+RD and a single MS68RD. I think many of you know Eagle Eye Rare Coins is owned by Rick Snow. Some of the coins from the collection were offered this past week by Heritage Auctions. I do not think the entire collection was offered for sale, and it does not appear any mention the coins were from Jasper Mantooth collection.
I am not sure if the set was offered to Mr. Hansen, if so, then he chose not be the registry leader in Indian Cents, although he was active in the Heritage sale by purchasing eight Jasper Mantooth specimens. There could be more, but these were the updates and upgrades to his collection that I have seen so far. Out of the five coins which are single-graded finest known, The Hansen Collection purchased one. That is the only Top Pop 1/0 specimen in the collection. The eight coins only moves the D.L, Hansen Collection up one spot in the all-time registry, from ninth to eighth.
1863 Indian Cent MS67, Ex: Jasper Mantooth
This coin stands alone as the only PCGS POP 1/0 coin in the D.L. Hansen Collection. Expert David Hall describes the coin as: The 1863 is the highest mintage of the 1860-64 copper-nickel Indian cents and it is the easiest to find in circulated grades and mint state grades through MS64. But interestingly, in MS 65 or better condition it is much tougher to find than the 1860, 1861, and 1862. This is usually a well struck coin. Luster and color can be bright and frosty or dull or somewhere in-between. PCGS Rarity and Survival Estimate gives 250 at MS65 or better. This coin recent broke out a gaggle of MS66+ PCGS certified specimens, 30 to be precise. I would think there will be more MS67 specimens in the future to join the Hansen’ 1863 at the top.
The coin appeared in Legend Auctions Regency XXII sale 7/13/2017. This sale appears to be around the beginning of the Jasper Mantooth Collection. Legend stated: There are 19 coins in MS66+ and NONE ARE FINER AT PCGS. These have brought between $4,000 and $7,500 when offered in auction, and while that range is quite wide, this one will likely sell in the middle of that range; the current Collector's Universe value is listed at $5,000. Good luck! We know since the sale, approx. 10 more coins have been graded MS66+. The Legend MS66+ coin was CAC approved which appear to have lost the sticker with the upgrade to MS67. Legend described the coin as: Pleasingly lustrous with peach-champagne accents in the lustrous golden-tan copper nickel surfaces. Razor sharp devices add to this coin's superb eye appeal. The coin realized $4,582.50 in a MS66+, CAC, PCGS holder.
The coin appeared this week in Heritage’s FUN US Coins Signature Auction. There is no hint of consigner or pedigree. It was described as: 1863 Cent, MS67, Single Finest at PCGS. In a more detailed description: The Civil War led to hoarding on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. In the North, gold and silver coins left commerce during 1862. Not long after, even the bronze Indian cent was hoarded. The U.S. Mint responded by increasing cent production, to nearly 50 million pieces in 1863. Today, examples are plentiful in most Mint State grades, but only the present lot has been certified by PCGS as MS67, with none finer. The lustrous rose-gold surfaces are fully struck and exhibit pristine fields. Contact is limited to a trio of hair-thin lines on the portrait. A major opportunity for the competitive Registry Set numismatist. The coin realized $20,400.
As I described earlier, this was not the only Jasper Mantooth specimen purchased in the Heritage Sale. I will follow-up with a little more detailed look as to the coins upgraded.
Provenance: Regency XXII (Legend 7, 2017 as PCGS MS66+ CAC), Lot 80, realized $4,582.50; Jasper Mantooth Collection; Eagle Eye Rare Coins; FUN US Coins Signature (Heritage 1/2021 as PCGS MS67), Lot 3341, realized $20,400, D.L. Hansen Collection
1863 Indian Cent MS67
CERTIFICATION #25674993, PCGS #2067
PCGS Price Guide: Unknown / Realized $20,400
Ex: Jasper Mantooth Collection (PCGS Registry)
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
It's sad that so many of the top CAC coins are being cracked and upgraded. So wrong. Also it makes the CAC pops incorrect as many upgrades are not reported. Therefore CAC coins are worth even more. When will this end?
I look forward to pulling CAC stickers off my slabs, the neon green hologram detracts from the coin. CAC stickers are "chatter" to me, I would prefer the simplicity of the trusted grading company.
It won’t. That’s why I will no longer do sets...just a box of 20 of coins where the grade on the holder doesn’t create their value