The Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels
It took years for this set to be formed with an awful lot of hard hunting. This set includes many coins from the Greenbrier Collection (now the #2 set). We doubt there will ever be a better set assembled! Legend Numismatics 2/2021
This announcement is specifically for the Liberty Proofs that Legend Numismatics is currently offering for sale for $475,000. There were three parts pertaining to the purchase deal made between Gerald Forsythe, Bruce Morelan, and Legend Numismatics. Feature article February 23, 2021 in PCGS News, headline reads: Bruce Morelan Buys Finest 1913 Liberty Nickel; Legend Numismatics Buys The Finest MS+PR Sets Of Liberty Nickels. In more details, the news release article reads: Bruce Morelan and Legend Numismatics recently completed an historic $6 million transaction to reclaim an exquisite collection of Liberty Nickels, including the 1913 Liberty Nickel graded PR66 by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com). The sets, encompassing United States nickels dated from 1883 through 1913, were sold to Legend Numismatics by longtime collector Jerry Forsythe, who commissioned Laura Sperber and her Lincroft, New Jersey, auction company to build the sets. In rough numbers, five million would be for the 1913, and a million for the two sets.
At the writing of this update, the “magnificent” #1 Registry Proof set is still available on the Legend Numismatics website. It appears the magnificent #1 Registry Mint State set was purchased by David Lawrence Rare Coins. Then, the 33-piece set was sold to Dell Loy Hansen. The complete 33 piece set was updated over the weekend with coins going into the #1 Registry and two sets that are given to family members, Diana and Amy. All three registry sets are complete. From the purchase, he also was able to start a new CAC set that is 97% complete with only 1894 date missing.
As stated by Legend Numismatics, Gerald Forsythe purchased coins from the Greenbrier Collection in late 2018 early 2019 time period. With upgrades from Legends, one of the sets created was the #1 Mint State Registry set which was awarded best in the registry for 2019 and 2020. The deal the Legend put together between Forsythe and Greenbrier Collection has not been released to the public that I am aware. If I recall correctly, Bruce won the Finest Known 1913 Liberty Head Nickel in StacksBowers Rarities Night Auction in August 2018. The coin realized $4,560,000. He quickly did a deal to get the coin in the hands of Gerald Forsythe with the overall desire to build a top set of Liberty Head Nickels of all-times. I think it was accomplished which I will expand on at a later time. This is based on my memory of online chatter. If any comments can be better stated, please do so.
The Greenbrier Collection did not retire. There is still a nice collection of Liberty Head coins. When Legends specified that It took years for this set to be formed with an awful lot of hard hunting. That is true, but the credit goes to the collector of the Greenbrier Collection. The collection dates back to 2012. Several great Liberty Nickel sets have sold that give the Greenbrier Collection ample opportunity to continue to improve its set. Some of those early sets include The Land of Smiles Collection that Warren Mills and Mitch Spivack assisted in the assembly. Don’t forget the Ali Set that was assembled by the collector that did the Joshua HOF Mercury Dimes and the Linda Gail Sets. Liberty Nickels pedigreed to the Rafferty Collections are still seen offered even in current sales. One of the earlier sets that was a Registry finest from 2006 to 2010 was the Carnton Collection. Due to Gerald Forsythe branding his coins to the new style holder which was displayed on the PCGS table at the 2019 ANA Show, and changing the certification numbers, and I don’t’ know how many of these great coins ended up in the top coins that Greenbrier sold to Forsythe. When changing certification numbers, the ability to trace is greatly hindered. I am certainly glad it is not a common practice for the Hansen team to change certification numbers.
The D.L. Hansen Collection used eleven coins from Gerald Forsythe Set for the #1 Hansen set. Only one of the coins was a POP 1/0 specimen. It is a little surprising that Mr. Hansen purchased that set, due to not improving his top set with only 33% of the coins. I am going start by featuring a POP 2/0 coin that Mr. Hansen placed in the second Diana set. The 1896 MS67 CAC Approved coin is the 4th most valuable coin in the purchased set.
1896 Liberty Head Nickel Five Cents, MS67, CAC, Ex: Gerald Forsythe Collection
The D.L Hansen Collection keeps (for now) the 1896 Liberty Head Nickel Five Cents, MS67, cert #38680281. The coin was purchased more than a year ago from Pinnacle Rarities. The coin is not CAC Approved, at least at this time. The Collection has both top specimens and one is CAC Approved and one is not. I think at some point of time, we will see the Gerald Forsythe CAC Specimen in the top set. If there ever a good case to downgrade a non-CAC coin, this would be one for the Hansen team to consider. He would have the sole finest PCGS grade, and sole finest CAC specimen.
Expert Ron Guth describes the coin as: The 1896 Liberty Head Nickel is similar in many respects to the 1895: similar mintages, nearly identical populations of certified examples, similar grade distributions, eerily close pricing, and twinnish grade distributions. Collectors will have no trouble finding a nice Uncirculated example, though fully struck examples can be elusive. None have been certified above MS66 by PCGS. If Ron was to update his comment, he would state there are two MS67 and both are in the D.L. Hansen Collection.
There is a large group of PCGS MS66 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates 29 entries, with four as being MS66+. The Hansen coins have separated from that pack by a half of a grade. No 1896 MS67 has ever appeared in auction that I can trace. I have not traced either of the Hansen coins to earlier auctions with lower grades.
As we saw with the purchase of the Linda Gail Franklins, this purchase was a great move made by the Hansen team. The total deal included Bruce getting back his 1913 Proof. Hansen getting the #1 Mint State Registry set and Legend’s has the Proof set remaining to sell. It sounds like a good deal was made for all parties. I will discuss the #1 Hansen Liberty Head Nickels and what it means to the collection in a little more detail next couple postings. Here is the link if you like to view the top two great sets.
1896 Liberty Head Nickel Five Cents, MS67 PCGS POP 2/0, CAC Approved Certification #37912713, PCGS #3857 PCGS Price Guide $25,000 / Purchased as part of a 33-piece set Ex: Gerald Forsythe Collection
I had the second top Proof lib nickel set for a few years. I could have had number one but as you probably know I believe all the coins all have to be CAC. It was difficult to beat Groman who had the top set for years using all CAC coins. Then around June 2018 a CAC 68 DCAM comes up at HA. I had to pay around 80k but it is I think the top coin in the entire proof series so I bought it.
I became number one that year all CAC. Before that I heard that Groman had the Goldbergs send his set to CAC. I believe eleven did not pass. I consider those one grade lower. I offered Goldberg my set. They said Groman was not interested.
I later offered it to JB but he also passed. I am not sure why as it was not that much money in their big picture. I was not planning to sell any sets but when DLH bought a few I figured why not. I have moved on to different coins. ( Mostly Proof and certain early ms gold.)
So time passes and out of the blue Laura calls me and wants to buy the set for Mr. F.
We agreed within a week and the deal was done. I don't know why the set is not listed on the CAC registry. I think I deleted it by accident instead of retiring it and PCGS could not fix it.
So when Mr. F wanted to sell all his nickels I assume Legend had to buy the proofs.
Mr. Perfection, I am sorry for missing that detail and not including you in the postings. I did not research the proof set being it was not purchased by John. In reading the press release, I incorrectly assume both the MS and proof sets were purchased from Greenbrier. I wonder why only Greenbrier was given credit in the press release. Also, in the description of the proof set for sale, Legend writes: This set includes many coins from the Greenbrier Collection (now the #2 set). I am confused. Are you saying Legends have it wrong?
This week the Hansen watch thread reached 200K. Can you believe it? Again, Thanks!!! To all the watchers and also to the people that has contributed along the way. I don’t know about you, but I have learned a great deal. Thanks to Mr. Dell Loy Hansen for his continuing desire to share his collection with our community. He does not have to do this, but he does gracefully, even in times of great criticism. Thanks to John Brush for dropping in from time to time. It is always good to hear from him and the insights that he adds. I hope he continue to share. There are many others that I really appreciate your contributions. I originally said the purpose of this thread is to watch the quest to challenge Eliasberg. I think over time, we have been able to pull a lot of history into the discussion. It is not just been the Hansen Collection discussed. We had discussions on the Linda Gail Collection recently and there have been hundreds of others, from large world-class collections like Brett Pogue, Bob Simpson and Dr. Charles Link to smaller collectors as Stotag Collection. We will never forget Mr. Perfection. He has contributed himself along with many great coins to The Collection.
I going to keep this short and answer a few FAQs. So here we go.
Currin, why do would take so much time describing someone else’s collection? I enjoy reading and learning about coins, specially US minted. The hobby has changed a lot in my lifetime. I recalled the time before the TPG companies; I was reluctant to purchase coins of higher grades. Later, companies like PCGS came on the scene. I can remember the early days of Teletrade when I would receive a weekly leaflet, and called into the auction by telephone. All coins purchase sight unseen. Many of the PCGS coins that I purchased then, have double or triple in value. I currently have about 1200 PCGS certified coins. They are basically in two catalogues. I have a little more than half of a US type set, and almost a complete “Lifetime” set from my birth year to present.
My passion is research. This has been my passion for longer than the Hansen Collection. More than twenty years ago, I studied Louis Eliasberg and his great collection. One of my favorites, as some of you know is William Cutter Atwater. I read most all writing on Harry Bass. He is really a fascinating collector that I believe his true passion was research. All of us are wired differently. As I stated before, the D.L. Hansen Collection provides a great delivery mechanism to pathways in research. The past few days I have been researching the half dollars and a collection called Linda Gail. Last week, I did a little research in the Gold Eagle Bullions. A few months ago, I was entrenched in Major Varieties. I can go on and on. I will ask a question based on the question you asked me on “someone else’s collection”: Is there a better US collection to study? One that is as open and transparent? One that is as diverse in US Issue coinage? One that is expanding as fast? I don’t know of a better or more interesting collection to study. In addition, I think it going to be historic.
Interestingly, this collection has help me to find a new passion which is writing and sharing with the community what I have learned. If I find something interesting, I feel there may be someone out that would be interested too. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to share everything that I have learned. How long will I continue? I don’t know. The fun may end one day.
Know the exact number of coins in the Hansen Collection (does anybody)? Of course John Brush and Dell Loy Hansen know and probably others. I don’t know the exact number, and there is not one. The exact number changes every day. It would be like knowing the exact temperature in Florida. The last published count was 12,000 in the Rare Coin Market Report (November-December 2019). Today, my guess would be 15,000 to 16,000.
What is Dell Loy Hansen goal? I hear this frequently. Also, in the RCMR: Rare Coin Market Report (November-December 2019): Hansen has been at this since only 2016. When the busy Utah billionaire and philanthropist revisited his numismatic pursuits a few years ago after finding some rare glimpses of leisure time he set a relatively humble numismatic objective. He wanted to build an exquisite collection of Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagles, known by many as the most beautiful coin the United States Mint ever struck. Achieving that goal in short order, he wanted more. “I decided to take a look at $20 Saint-Gaudens as a collection to not only put together and try to complete but also as an alternative investment,” Hansen recounts of his original numismatic goals. “But once I started collecting again, my competitive and obsessive nature took hold and I got really hooked into the registry set concept. I realized I could compete on another front and try to build something that is not only fun but historically important!”
I know John Brush has told us Mr. Hansen’s goal many times, but I get this wrong sometimes myself. His true goal is “To Build Sets and Have Fun!”. I think he is doing just that. He is a builder, and he loves building sets. The hunt is fun to him and he buys hundreds of coins weekly. Surely his team helps with the big coins and the six figure purchases, but by total count, majority of the coins he is buying. It appears to me, if he spends Million Dollars, he has more fun buying a thousand coins at $1000, than one coin for a $1,000,000. When I think of some of the other big time collectors of today, this could be a unique trait. Maybe not. He has been ridiculed for this desire. Should he? In the end, building this collection “his way” may result in something extraordinary. If the desire is to have fun, who is it to say he is not doing it the “right way”? I hear at times, so-and-so is doing it the right way. Is there really “one” right way? If so, not only Mr. Hansen, but many of us are getting it wrong.
@vulcanize said:
Saw some of his collections (like trade dollars) up for sale. Is he retiring the sets and liquidating?
This is actually incorrect.
David Lawrence has been offering duplicates from the Hansen Collection in auctions for the past 2 years. He's not liquidating or retiring any of the number 1 sets, but selling some of the pieces that he has upgraded from.
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
@Currin said:
The complete 33 piece set was updated over the weekend with coins going into the #1 Registry and two sets that are given to family members, Diana and Amy. All three registry sets are complete.
@vulcanize said:
Saw some of his collections (like trade dollars) up for sale. Is he retiring the sets and liquidating?
This is actually incorrect.
David Lawrence has been offering duplicates from the Hansen Collection in auctions for the past 2 years. He's not liquidating or retiring any of the number 1 sets, but selling some of the pieces that he has upgraded from.
It's great to see Diana and Amy collecting! Are they collecting all sets or only selected sets?
@vulcanize said:
Saw some of his collections (like trade dollars) up for sale. Is he retiring the sets and liquidating?
This is actually incorrect.
David Lawrence has been offering duplicates from the Hansen Collection in auctions for the past 2 years. He's not liquidating or retiring any of the number 1 sets, but selling some of the pieces that he has upgraded from.
The Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels – Part II
I loved Liberty Nickels even as a kid 65 years ago. I'd get occasional Liberty Nickels in circulation and the simple, classic beauty of Lady Liberty caught my eye even then. Today, that same beauty of Lady Liberty still captivates me and was one of the key reasons I built my collection. I like the coins. - JustHavingFun 2012
PCGS choose the Gerald Forsythe Collection of Liberty Head Nickels to launch their new Rarities holder at the Annual PCGS Set Registry Awards Luncheon on August 16, 2019. In the news release, PCGS described the collection as: Forsythe’s all-time finest Mint State and Proof Liberty Head nickels collection, including the 1913 Liberty nickel, has been encapsulated in the brand-new design. The collection made its debut at the PCGS booth during the recent ANA convention. This is the first time in history a 1913 liberty nickel, of which there are only five known, has been displayed with complete Mint State and Proof sets. Does anyone remember seeing the collection in person? Unfortunately, the Forsythe Collection will never be displayed again.
In this update, we will look closer at Hansen’s Liberty Nickels Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1883-1912). With the 11 updates from the Gerald Forsythe Collection adding to Hansen’s previous 15 specimens tied for finest, and one sole finest, 1912-D MS67 CERT #08379012, the collection is now the #1 set on the Liberty Head Nickels Leaderboard.
As can be seen, the Hansen set is now on top of the leaderboard and setting alone in that position. There are one other active set on the leaderboard that is earmarked for one of Mr. Hansen’s family members, Diana. The Hansen set foundation is the Greenbrier River Collection that received registry awards from 2013 to 2018. The set was sold to Gerald Forsythe and another course of brick was added to the foundation. The Forsythe Collections receive registry awards in 2019 and 2020. Now, the D.L. Hansen Collection has added another course of bricks. Here are the 11 updates to the new top set.
PCGS describes the set as: This set is only the second issue of nickel coinage (with a five cent value) as the "nickel" wasn't introduced until 1866. The Liberty nickel series includes the famed 1883 "No Cents" issue, the rare 1885, and the first mintmarked nickels that were issued in 1912 in Denver and San Francisco. Historic, fun and affordable for most collectors.
The Hansen set has two sole finest specimens and 24 other tied for finest. This leaves only seven POP 1/0 coins that can improve the set. Interesting there are nine POP 1/0 specimens in the 33 piece set. Mr. Hansen now has two. Where are the others?
1883 WITH CENTS MS67, CAC, Certification #36533601 POP 21/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+, Certification #38557386, POP 1/0 currently resides in a private Registry Set.
1895 MS66+, Certification #83760912, POP 6/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67, Certification #25693618, CAC, POP 1/0 current location unknown.
1899 MS67, Certification #81875191, POP 10/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+, Certification #85161701, CAC, POP 1/0 current location unknown.
1901 MS67, Certification #37912715, POP 8/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+ Certification unknown POP 1/0 current location unknown.
1902 MS67, Certification #25617420, POP 8/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+, Certification #85161699, CAC, POP 1/0 currently resides in the Black Cat Collection.
1903 MS67, Certification #25618506, POP 10/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+ Certification #37396234, CAC, POP 1/0 currently resides in a private Registry Set
1909 MS66+, Certification #35530080, POP 7/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67 Certification #35506822, POP 1/0 currently resides in a private Registry Set
Where are the others? I don’t know except for the one in the Black Cat Collection. The coin is in his US Type set. There are three in private Registry Sets. They could be in type sets, but if so, the sets are closed. Then there are three others that are not listed in the registry at all. This does leave the possibility that someone is assembling a high graded set offline. The way PCGS ranks Registry Sets; there are a significant amount of bonus points that is on the table. On the other hand, if the unknown coins are available, then the Hansen Collection may have additional opportunities to improve. He would need three more PCGS POP 1/0 specimens for a sure lock.
1889 Liberty Head Nickel, MS67+, CAC Approved, Ex: Gerald Forsythe Collection
This PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest specimen is a natural for a feature. Expert Ron Guth: The 1889 Liberty Head Nickel is a common coin in all grades up to, and including, MS65, thus making it a popular date among type collectors because of the great value it offers. The finest example is a single PCGS MS66+. As is usual for this series, this date comes with a variety of strike qualities -- the best ones show full radial lines in all of the stars AND a full ear of corn on the left side of the wreath.
For the 1889 Liberty Head Nickel, there is not a large group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates only three with one having the distinction of a MS67+. The two MS67 coins have never appeared in auction that I can trace. The new sole finest Hansen MS67+ example has appeared in auction only once, Legend’s Regency 34 Auction in September 2019. The coin was headlined as: Legend Rare Coin Auctions is honored to have been consigned this magnificent FINEST KNOWN MS Liberty Nickel. The quality and eye appeal are off the charts!
Legend’s Auctioneer described being unique as: This is the lone MS67+ with NONE higher. Obviously there are no auction records. There is no Collectors Universe Value either. Based upon its rarity, we have given our best estimate of the minimum we think it could sell for . If you collect the finest MS Liberty Nickels, this is your only chance to buy an 1889 MS67-make that an MS67+ CAC Liberty (good luck finding another in any date)! They estimated the coin would realize $45,000 to $50,000.
As you will see in the image, the coin has very slight toning if any. Legend’s described the coin’s appearance as: Remarkable surfaces are flawless. Even when using a strong glass you will find zero imperfections. The texture is satiny yet sleek. A full booming cartwheel-like luster beams boldly from all over. There is no question this coin is totally original. Miss Liberty and the details are fully struck and stand out with gentle frost. It just boggles our minds how this 130 year old coin has survived in a such a perfect state of preservation. The eye appeal is fabulous! The coin did not do as well as expected, by realizing $36,425. This Auction Record still is not shabby for a common coin.
As you have seen in today’s discussion, the D.L Hansen Collection has the top set of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels. If Mr. Hansen purchased The Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels to improve and update, then mission accomplished. As I stated in a posting a few days ago, in this mega collection, it can be hard to realize how significant 11 coins can be. After all, the Hall of Fame basic set requires 3741, so can 11 coins make any difference? In GPA, I would say not much. I know I am repeating myself from a previous posting, but as an historic accomplishment, improving these series to all-time greatest is very significant for the bigger picture. I will plan to discuss the big picture in a little more in depth in the next and last Gerald Forsythe update.
1889 Liberty Head Nickel Five Cents, MS67+ PCGS POP 1/0, CAC Approved Certification #37691505, PCGS #3850 PCGS Price Guide $42,500 / Purchased as part of a 33-piece set Ex: Gerald Forsythe Collection
@vulcanize said:
Saw some of his collections (like trade dollars) up for sale. Is he retiring the sets and liquidating?
This is actually incorrect.
David Lawrence has been offering duplicates from the Hansen Collection in auctions for the past 2 years. He's not liquidating or retiring any of the number 1 sets, but selling some of the pieces that he has upgraded from.
I've been saving my spare change to pick up that rattler proof 68 Barber that DLH has no need for.
One mans trash (even ay $15K) is another man's treasure.
I've been saving my spare change to pick up that rattler proof 68 Barber that DLH has no need for.
One mans trash (even ay $15K) is another man's treasure.
I love that quote...And I'm glad that Dell Loy doesn't think any of the coins are trash...they are like his children at times, so to convince him to sell a coin that he has 4 or 5 of can certainly be a challenge!
That being said, we can always do a long-term layaway for you if that would help.
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 Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels – Part II
I loved Liberty Nickels even as a kid 65 years ago. I'd get occasional Liberty Nickels in circulation and the simple, classic beauty of Lady Liberty caught my eye even then. Today, that same beauty of Lady Liberty still captivates me and was one of the key reasons I built my collection. I like the coins. - JustHavingFun 2012
Great quote from JHF. When we sold the Mint State & Proof Liberty Nickel collections through Stacks nearly a decade ago now, those collections were the finest, hands down, ever assembled. The proof collection, at the time, had nearly every high grade DCAM coin PCGS ever graded as JHF was ok buying doubles. If memory serves me right, we bought a bunch of very cool coins from Sunnywood to include in the sets.
My favorite Mint State Liberty nickel though is the 1888 monster toned specimen I won for JHF in Santa Clara at the Heritage auction in 2002 for the World Record price (at the time) of $21,850. That is the price it fetched after Laura finally dropped her padddle. When we sold the set at Stacks in June, 2012, I set the opening bid ($23,500) on this monster toned 1888 (Lot 2317) at right around (net) what JHF paid for the coin in 2002 and I wouldn’t be surprised if Laura grabbed it the second time around (especially with the CAC sticker although I always knew the toning was real). Anyone know where the coin is today?
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
The Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels – Part III
With the posting today, we will wrap up the nickels and the discussion of Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels. I hope we are not reaching the end of an era for this very distinguished Registry Collector. He has been somewhat a mystery. He is renowned as businessman and auto racing magnate, but his passion for numismatics has not been explored than I am aware. As far as I know, he never visited this forum and I don’t remember much activity with numismatics shows and events. He may have been more active in the hobby than I am aware. He was highly promoted by his agent and I have no real knowledge if he had any personal interest in the PCGS Registry. Whither he did or didn’t, his collections will be remembered for a very long time.
The Liberty Head Nickels are not the only Gerald Forsythe Collections that we will see sold in the coming months. Legend Auctions is offering this outstanding set: We are offering the Gerald Forsythe Walking Liberty 50C MS Collection. This collection, which ranks as the #1 all-time finest set on the PCGS Registry, is truly a once in a lifetime collection. An incredible 51 of the 65 coins in the set are Top Pop, including 8 that are the single finest known. The collection is well deserving of its place in the PCGS Hall of Fame, and is a set that could never be surpassed. Because of this, and in consultation with our consignor, we have decided to offer this collection as a single lot, rather than see it broken up. The collection is too incredible to offer as pieces, and a lucky bidder will be able to immediately vault themselves to the top of the registry when they take this amazing collection home, and will likely never lose that top ranking. No set of this caliber has ever been offered as a single lot in auction, and we honored to be able to make history by offering it in our Regency Auction 44. In looking at the D.L. Hansen set, the set would upgrade 32 of the 65 Hansen coins. This upgrade is slightly less than 50%, but would certainly improve the set, and would place the Hansen set in first placed. I would estimate the set would sell in the excess of $2,500,000 which I find interesting that it is being offered as a set. I do not know the interest that Mr. Hansen may have.
The significance of this purchase of the Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels
I mentioned a few days ago that I will have a brief discussion on significance of the purchase. I wrote: The 11 Forsythe Liberty Nickels were purchased to upgrade Hansen Collection. As I stated in a posting, it can be hard to realize how significant 11 coins can be. After all, the Hall of Fame basic set requires 3741, so can 11 coins make any difference? In GPA, I would say not much. I know I am repeating myself from a previous posting, but as an historic accomplishment, improving these series to all-time greatest is very significant for the bigger picture. As with purchase of the Linda Gail Franklins, the purchase of the 11 Forsythe Nickels creates a dynamic that cannot be easily recognized. We must breakdown the mega set to get a true picture. I showed you this for the first time a few days ago I am taking a closer look by denomination (or groups) and then even more granular by series (Registry sets). I have broken the denomination (or groups) into 14 sections. One of them is the Basic Composition Nickels Sets that you will see. Then, I broke this down to the five main series that make up the Nickel Five Cents Collection. What you see developing is a phenomenal collection.
This is a close look at the Nickel Five Cents Basic Collection. As result, I broke out 299 coins of the 3741-piece Hall of Fame set to from the Nickel Collection. Then let’s take a deeper look at this 299-piece collection. I broke the Nickels into five basic series that represent the Nickels from 1866 to present. I hope this gives you a better feel of just what has materialize with the 11 coin Gerald Forsythe purchase. For Nickels, the Hansen Collection current has the all-time finest sets in two of the five series. You may recall the Half Dollars series had more All-Time Finest sets, but maybe not as good overall. As I have stated before, I don’t find it to be realistic that Mr. Hansen can build or buy every top set for all series. It may be realistic that at some point in future if you breakdown the 3741-piece Hall of Fame set, then could see all the series sets on the PCGS All-Time Top Five Leaderboard. This has been achieved for the Nickels! Just take a look at the five sets, two are All-Time Finest, one is #2, and two sets are #3. All the Nickel sets are solid in the PCGS All-Time Top Five. This makes a phenomenal collection of Nickels.
1886 Liberty Head Nickel, MS67, CAC Approved, Ex: Gerald Forsythe / Greenbrier River Collection
This may be the most valuable mint state Liberty Nickel in the Hansen Collection. The coin is valued by PCGS Price Guide at $70,000. There are no six figure coins in the series. I cannot find where the new Hansen coin has ever appeared in auction, and I do believe it is one of the core coins from the Greenbrier Collection. With the certification number change that I described before, and the lack of good images from the Greenbrier Collection, it is difficult to be 100% certain.
Expert Ron Guth: Most collectors consider the 1886 Nickel to be a key issue in the Liberty Head series. Price guides reflect this opinion and place it behind the 1885 and the 1912-S as the third most valuable date. However, in terms of certified examples, this is one of the more common dates in the series, illustrating the power of mintage figures, which have been used traditionally, as an important factor in concluding which coins are rare and which coins are not. As far as Mint State examples go, the 1886 is slightly more "common" than the 1885, but no MS67 1886 Nickels have been certified by PCGS, compared to 2 for the 1885. Strike quality is a factor on this date, as many examples show weakness on the radial line on some (or many) of the stars. Also, keep an eye on that ear of corn on the lower left reverse, as this is often weak, too. If there were an update to Mr. Guth comment, the 1886 Liberty Nickel currently has three MS67 in PCGS Population report. Two can easily be identified, the Forsythe/Greenbrier Specimen and the Carnton Specimen that has appeared twice in recent Legend Rare Coin Auctions . The third specimen cannot be confirmed for certainly.
There is not a large group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates only three, with none finer. As stated, the Carnton Specimen has appeared in Auction twice. The auction record of $64,625 was achieved in Legend’s September 2018 Regency 28 Auction. The coin was not CAC Approved.
The Liberty Nickels has been a fun series to study. As I covered a few days ago, the series has a rich history of great registry sets. Up to recently, there were exciting battles year after year for that top award. The most popular Nickel is the Buffalo Series. In my childhood, it was not too uncommon to find a Buffalo in change. Back in the day, the Liberty Head was called the V-Nickel. I did not find many, but to find one was just as exciting. I guess I am saying, to collect nickels can be fun.
The Mr. Hansen set, formally Greenbrier/Forsythe, has been at the top of the leaderboard since 2013. As discuss a couple days ago, there are still seven PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens out there somewhere. This leaves the possibility that someone is assembling a high graded set offline. We have no way to know for sure if The D.L. Hansen Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels will remain on the top of the Leaderboard for many years to come. Only time we tell for sure.
1886 Liberty Head Nickel, MS67 PCGS POP 3/0, CAC Approved Certification #37912895, PCGS #3847 PCGS Price Guide $70,000 / Purchased as part of a 33-piece set Ex: Gerald Forsythe / Greenbrier River Collection
As you should have observed along with me, the D.L. Hansen Collection source for upgrades is unlimited. There are the large well finance sources as US Coins, Rare Coins Wholesalers, Heritage Direct, David Lawrence Rare Coins, StacksBowers Numismatics, and several more. Then there are the smaller companies as you will see one of them today. Overall, it is no way to know how many companies have provided coins to this mega collection. I would say it is well in the hundreds. Many purchases are made online by Mr. Hansen. Certainly, he has one of the top agents in the business on his team, John Brush. John has basically told us that he and his team is used for the large purchases, the major auctions and the hard-to-find coins that Mr. Hansen gives up looking. As for the many coins, Mr. Hansen is visiting large and small online companies throughout the country from the convenience of his porch. There are several in the community that will say this is not the “right way” to do it. We have heard other top agents boast that “All of Mr. Big Client coins were purchased by me over a period of 20-25 years”. If the way Mr. Hansen is doing it not the right way, then so be it. The words that Frank Sinatra sang in the song, My Way, I think are fitting for Mr. Hansen and his collection.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has not
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way.
Paradime Coins is an online company located in Las Vegas, NV. The company is owned and operated by Shannon Rajkitkul, aka @SSR, one of our community members. The company website describes the company as: Top Coin Dealer ecommerce store that sells certified Rare U.S coins for sale. We specialize in the finest PCGS, CAC certified Numismatic coins including gold and silver and are members of PCGS, CAC, NGC, LSCC, EAC, ANA & ICTA. The site goes on to say their specialty is: We specialize in top pops, finest known, low survival rate U.S coins, conditional rarities, low cac pops, key dates and coins that have high eye appeal, whilst being certified by PCGS with CAC approval. This is not the first coin that I posted from this company. In January 2021, the collection was updated with an 1887-S Half Eagle PCGS MS66, Sole Finest Certified from this online company. There have been several others over the last few months. The ones that I am aware are:
I would place the total value of the four coins around $100,000. I wonder if we will see more purchases from this company as time march on. I think what I am implying here, great coins do not necessarily have to come from the big, sexy coin companies. If you look hard enough, coins as the 1886 $5 MS66+, CAC Approved can be found. I will focus my feature coin on this specimen.
1886 Half Eagle PCGS MS66+, CAC Approved, Sole Finest Certified
The new coin replaces another PCGS Condition Census Top Five, 1886 $5 MS64+, Certification #81967274, POP 2/3. David Akers describes the coin as: The 1886 is considerably more difficult to obtain than the common dates of the series and choice uncirculated examples are very scarce. For PCGS certified, MS64 is the tipping point. There are 19 entries graded in this condition but only 5 graded higher. PCGS estimate the only five survived in GEM condition or better. PCGS POP report (with possible a resubmission) has three at GEM of better: two MS65, and the new Hansen specimen MS66+. I believe the coin was upgrade to MS66+ about a year ago, with no auction appearance. The coin appeared in auction three times as a MS66 PCGS Specimen.
The coin made its first appearance in a Heritage February 2008 Signature Coin Auction in Long Beach, CA. In a MS66 PCGS Old Green Holder, the coin carried the same certification number which makes it really easy to trace. In this sale, Heritage describes the coin as “The Finest 1886 Half Eagle”. The auctioneer adds: There are many condition rarities in the Liberty gold series, including examples of all denominations. The 1886 half eagle is just such a coin, from a mintage of 388,360 coins, suggesting that it is a rather plentiful date. However, it is seldom encountered in higher grades. For example, the finest of four Smithsonian Institution pieces is only AU58. This green-label Premium Gem is the only piece that PCGS has graded MS66, with none finer. It is fully struck and has extraordinary orange-gold brilliance on both sides. The coin, an auction record, realized $21,850.
The coin appeared in a second Heritage sale the following year. In the May 2009 Signature US Coin Auction in Long Beach, CA, the coin appeared in the same OGH, but this time a green CAC Approved sticker was added. The coin realized $20,700 which is surprising slightly less than without the sticker. After this sale, the coin was off the market for a decade.
Legend Rare Coin Auctions offered the coin in their Regency 35 sale on 12/12/2019. They headlined the coin as: This is the SINGLE FINEST 1886 half eagle graded at PCGS and it is a very pleasing Premium Quality GEM! They described the rarity as: NONE ARE GRADED FINER! This coin is destined for the #1 set of Liberty Head Half Eagles. If you are working on this challenging series, you know how rare this date is to find. This coin has been off the market since May 2009; a whole decade has gone by making this perhaps a once in a generation opportunity that should not be missed. The current Collectors Universe value is listed at $25,000 and for a POP TOP coin like this, it is quite possible that this coin will bring more. Who knows when you will have an opportunity like this again!
The auctioneer described the appearance as: Boldly struck devices stand out and are surrounded by impressive and unending luster. Wonderful peach and gold toning combine over the very high end, pleasingly clean surfaces to give this awesome $5 Lib a stunning look. With 388,360 struck, this date is plentiful in lower grades. It is a RARE date any finer than MS64; that after 33+ years of operations, PCGS and NGC have graded combined a mere seven coins above MS64! I do not believe the NGC MS64 coin to be CAC Approved, making the Hansen specimen POP 1/0 PCGS, POP 1/0 CAC. The pedigree for the coin was stated as: The Piedmont Numismatics Collection. The coin realized $21,737.50, slightly below the Auction Record of $21,850 in the 2008 Heritage Sale.
As stated, the coin was offered on the Paradime Coins website in Feb 2020. The ask price is not known to me. PCGS currently values the coin at $45,000. It is fairly safe to say the coin is more valuable than when appeared in last auction as a MS66, CAC. The coin is now MS66+ and retained the CAC sticker. As described by Legend: This is the SINGLE FINEST 1886 half eagle graded at PCGS and it is a very pleasing Premium Quality GEM!. This world class coin found its way into the Hansen Collection by the way of Paradime Coins.
Provenance: Signature Coin Auction (Heritage, 2/2008 as PCGS MS66), Lot 2563, realized $21,850 (Auction Record); Signature US Coin Auction (Heritage, 5/20089 as PCGS MS66, CAC), Lot 1689, realized $20,700. The Piedmont Numismatics Collection / The Regency 35 Auction (Legend 12/2019, as PCGS MS66, CAC), Lot 554, realized $21,737.50; Purchased in Private Transaction (Paradime Coins 12/2020)
1886 Half Eagle PCGS MS66+, CAC approved PCGS POP 1/0, Sole Finest Certification #04268951, PCGS #8369 PCGS Value Guide: $45,000 / unknown Ex: The Piedmont Numismatics Collection
My favorite Mint State Liberty nickel though is the 1888 monster toned specimen I won for JHF in Santa Clara at the Heritage auction in 2002 for the World Record price (at the time) of $21,850. That is the price it fetched after Laura finally dropped her padddle. When we sold the set at Stacks in June, 2012, I set the opening bid ($23,500) on this monster toned 1888 (Lot 2317) at right around (net) what JHF paid for the coin in 2002 and I wouldn’t be surprised if Laura grabbed it the second time around (especially with the CAC sticker although I always knew the toning was real). Anyone know where the coin is today?
WonderCoin posted the above.
I believe I own this coin. It is amazing and yes CAC. I purchased it from Laura seven years ago! A monster.
I would sell it to DLH if he would pay what I did! ☺
For the record from a few days ago. I sold the #1 Proof Liberty Nickel Set, all CAC to Laura who then sold it to
Forsythe. He in turn did not care about the CAC added non CAC coins to it enabling it to get even more points.
“Work in Progress” is the best way to describe the D.L. Hansen Collection of Barber Quarters. We have seen some past work on this set. In 2020, I provided a good summary of the Hansen Barber Quarter Collection when sharing updates from Srotag Collection of Barber Quarters. Also, Mr. Hansen purchased an extraordinary Gem 1896-S Barber Quarter from The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage Auction. In this sale, he purchased the 1854-S for $1,920,000, but maybe the biggest acquisition by number was the purchase of 12 Pogue Barber Quarters. The total for just the Barber Quarters purchase was $280,000. Slightly more than $23,000 per coin!
The Barber quarter series contains a plethora of rarities, as 28 different dates have a population of ten or less in MS65 or better condition! The set also contains the lowest mintage regular issue silver coin of the 20th century, the 1913-S. The challenge of this series is legendary, but many collectors have chosen to tackle it over the years, with rewarding results. Key dates of the series include the 1892-S, 1896-O, 1896-S, 1898-O, 1901-S, 1913-S, and many, many others. These comments are from the PCGS Registry. In this 74 piece set, the D.L. Hansen Collection is ranked third on the all-time leaderboard.
In the top position is a set of pure CAC coins registered to the RSD Collection. The set has been on the top for the past three years, after the retirement on the Mr. Perfection set. On May 2018, Mr. Perfection wrote: I sold this set. I never thought I would sell a set but it happened. The buyer had the majority of the top CAC coins that I would need to improve my set. He is a passionate quarter collector and I basically have been unable to improve my set much over the last few years. The combination of his top coins and mine will create an amazing, all CAC Barber quarter set that will never be beat. Sometimes when you sell something it makes you amenable to selling more. I would now consider selling a couple of other sets because it is very difficult to improve them. I have moved on to buying beautiful coins in any series. I am no longer constrained by looking for "set" coins. I have also been buying much more gold coins, many with great eye appeal. Good luck Mr. Buyer! My set took years to build and had many spectacular coins! Enjoy!. It appears the Mr. Buyer being described here is RSD.
The RSD set is closed to the public, but maybe a comparison can be made to the Perfection Set, if indeed a significance of the coins were used for upgrading. The Perfection set had 11 PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest graded specimens, with 17 additional tied for finest PCGS certified. Total was 28 of the 74 coins were PCGS Top Pops. The current Hansen set has eight PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest graded specimens, with 15 additional tied for finest PCGS certified. Total was 23 of the 74 coins are PCGS Top Pops. If that is not enough, the RSD set is 1.08 points better than the retired #2 Perfection set (unreal). With that perspective, it a little surprising that Mr. Hansen was able find a PCGS POP 1/0 specimen for sale.
1893 Barber Quarter Dollar MS67+
Expert Jaime Hernandez commented: The 1893 Barber Quarter has one of the higher mintages in the Barber Quarter series and many examples were saved. Therefore, it is one of the more common dates in the series. Examples up to about VF to XF condition are really common and very affordable that most collectors can afford them. In AU condition they begin to bring a significantly higher premium. In uncirculated MS60 to MS64 condition they are scarce. In MS65 they are very scarce. And in MS66 condition there are very few examples available. MS67 or higher condition they are extremely rare.
The coin was found in the Heritage February 2021 US Coins Signature Auction. It was headlined as: 1893 Quarter, MS67+, Single Finest at PCGS. There are three coins PCGS graded superb GEM MS67 with the Hansen coin being the sole finest MS67+. Heritage describes the coin as: Unlike the first-year 1892 issue, the second-year 1893 Barber quarter is not readily available in high grades and far fewer were saved overall. Despite a substantial mintage of 5.4 million pieces, this issue is a major condition rarity at the MS66 grade level, and just two coins at PCGS are graded in MS67. This MS67+ is the only one so-graded and represents the single finest example at that service (12/20). This Plus-graded Superb Gem exhibits sharply detailed design elements and impeccably preserved lustrous surfaces, with attractive, blue, gold, magenta, and sea-green toning. I do find the coin attractive although currently there is no CAC Approved sticker.
Heritage Auctions do not offer any hints for the provenance of the coin. Other than the description above, there was not much more discussion found on this Barber Quarter. This is a great upgrade, but this particular set could use a lot more help. I am not sure there are coins available that could get the Hansen Barber Quarters even close to the top. It appears to be an impossible task.
Provenance: US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage 2/2021), lot 3680, realized $18,600.
1893 Barber Quarter, MS67+ POP 1/0, Single Finest at PCGS Certification #40866499, PCGS #5604 PCGS Price Value: $35,000 / Realized $18,600
@Perfection said:
My favorite Mint State Liberty nickel though is the 1888 monster toned specimen I won for JHF in Santa Clara at the Heritage auction in 2002 for the World Record price (at the time) of $21,850. That is the price it fetched after Laura finally dropped her padddle. When we sold the set at Stacks in June, 2012, I set the opening bid ($23,500) on this monster toned 1888 (Lot 2317) at right around (net) what JHF paid for the coin in 2002 and I wouldn’t be surprised if Laura grabbed it the second time around (especially with the CAC sticker although I always knew the toning was real). Anyone know where the coin is today?
WonderCoin posted the above.
I believe I own this coin. It is amazing and yes CAC. I purchased it from Laura seven years ago! A monster.
I would sell it to DLH if he would pay what I did! ☺
For the record from a few days ago. I sold the #1 Proof Liberty Nickel Set, all CAC to Laura who then sold it to
Forsythe. He in turn did not care about the CAC added non CAC coins to it enabling it to get even more points.
@GoBust said:
FFL that's one truly fantastic 1895 King of Kings Morgan!
Sorry, have to disagree. Just another common proof date.
>
Alas it is a conditional rarity, so here’s a true rarity for you- less than 50 made, less than 10 survive- the rarest Philadelphia proof Morgan
I'd be surprised if more than three of these exist, and I doubt that many more than that were struck. I also wonder if it might actually be a pattern. Anyway, it's a great coin but way too obscure for most people.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@Perfection said:
...
The 1901 S quarter might be far rarer in vg, xf and au grades than all the coins above but not nearly as rare in
67. Registry scoring in antiquated and needs to reflect the actual stats.
Regarding VG - the "Pop Above" is what is relevant; not the Pop in the category. (Note: Pop Above for sets limited to AU-58 should be defined to only include AU-58+ and not MS).
In principle, I agree that the points should be related to true rarity, but as others have stated, official Pops are not a perfect measure of this.
Points should also reflect demand. So I think basing the points on Auction Prices Realized is probably best.
Extending that logic, sets would be ranked by market value and only market value. Completion wouldn't matter. Consistency wouldn't matter. A collection of one single trophy coin could outrank a classy, extensive collection. There's a logic to that, but it would take something out of the game.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@GoBust said:
FFL that's one truly fantastic 1895 King of Kings Morgan!
Sorry, have to disagree. Just another common proof date.
>
Alas it is a conditional rarity, so here’s a true rarity for you- less than 50 made, less than 10 survive- the rarest Philadelphia proof Morgan
I'd be surprised if more than three of these exist, and I doubt that many more than that were struck. I also wonder if it might actually be a pattern. Anyway, it's a great coin but way too obscure for most people.
It is very obscure for sure- I’ve never seen another one in person or at auction. However, the NGC Registry includes it in the Proof Morgan Dollar Set along with the 1921 Zerbe and Chapman proofs so I had to find one to complete the set 100%, and my set has been #1 for the last ten years or so
@GoBust said:
FFL that's one truly fantastic 1895 King of Kings Morgan!
Sorry, have to disagree. Just another common proof date.
>
Alas it is a conditional rarity, so here’s a true rarity for you- less than 50 made, less than 10 survive- the rarest Philadelphia proof Morgan
I'd be surprised if more than three of these exist, and I doubt that many more than that were struck. I also wonder if it might actually be a pattern. Anyway, it's a great coin but way too obscure for most people.
It is very obscure for sure- I’ve never seen another one in person or at auction. However, the NGC Registry includes it in the Proof Morgan Dollar Set along with the 1921 Zerbe and Chapman proofs so I had to find one to complete the set 100%, and my set has been #1 for the last ten years or so
I remember seeing one in an Apostrophe sale back in the 80's and was very impressed. Assuming yours is the same piece, I've never seen another.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@GoBust said:
FFL that's one truly fantastic 1895 King of Kings Morgan!
Sorry, have to disagree. Just another common proof date.
>
Alas it is a conditional rarity, so here’s a true rarity for you- less than 50 made, less than 10 survive- the rarest Philadelphia proof Morgan
I'd be surprised if more than three of these exist, and I doubt that many more than that were struck. I also wonder if it might actually be a pattern. Anyway, it's a great coin but way too obscure for most people.
It is very obscure for sure- I’ve never seen another one in person or at auction. However, the NGC Registry includes it in the Proof Morgan Dollar Set along with the 1921 Zerbe and Chapman proofs so I had to find one to complete the set 100%, and my set has been #1 for the last ten years or so
I remember seeing one in an Apostrophe sale back in the 80's and was very impressed. Assuming yours is the same piece, I've never seen another.
It could be the same coin- the only previous owner I know for sure was Barry Chappell
@Floridafacelifter said:
I also apologize if I’m posting non-Hansen coins on the Hansen Watch thread and shouldn’t be- I’m new here and still learning the forum etiquette!
@Floridafacelifter said:
I also apologize if I’m posting non-Hansen coins on the Hansen Watch thread and shouldn’t be- I’m new here and still learning the forum etiquette!
.
.
Mr. Duke,
I am OK with you posting anytime on the Hansen watch thread. It is very educational, which is one of the key components on the thread. There is nothing wrong with your etiquette.
@Floridafacelifter said:
I also apologize if I’m posting non-Hansen coins on the Hansen Watch thread and shouldn’t be- I’m new here and still learning the forum etiquette!
Mr. Duke,
I am OK with you posting anytime on the Hansen watch thread. It is very educational, which is one of the key components on the thread. There is nothing wrong with your etiquette.
I am guessing about 12 months have past since my last posting on The D. L. Hansen Collection of Liberty Double Eagles. As I have said before, the set can be described as incredible. The collection is PCGS All-Time Finest Set for Liberty Head $20 Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1850-1907). Our new friend and community member @gschwernk has assembled the 87% complete Schweck Collection set which is in the #2 current finest spot. The set range is VF25 to MS66. He made a comment here a few days ago: I recently returned to collecting after a 15-year absence. I've been working on this set for about 2 years. I finished most of the easy dates. Now its mostly a question of finding the coins I need and generating the funds to pay for them. This is an extremely difficult set even for a everyman set. I admire Mr. Schweck for completing 87%, and I hope he can push to 90%.
PCGS described the set as: Even though this series is filled with expensive rarities, this is a set that has been collected by many over the years. The 1861 Philadelphia issue with the Paquet reverse is the #1 rarity. Other classic dates include the 1854-O, 1856-O, 1870-CC, 1882 and several others. A complete set is one of the greatest challenges in all of numismatics! I am not sure how many times the set has been completed in pure circulating strikes. I know Eliasberg had a mixture, and probably all collectors before him. The registry does not have the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection as complete. Harry W. Bass has a complete set, but I have not confirmed it to be pure circulating strikes. It would be an interesting question to know.
This is not a Hansen set that we see a great deal of activity. I would contribute this to fact that Mr. Hansen purchased the fabulous set from the AWA Collection early on. @ColonelJessup wrote: the AWA Collection, named for Dr. Bill Crawford's three children, was sold to Mr. Hansen by @cnncoins in an 8-figure deal. I cannot confirm the accuracy of the statement, but I don’t doubt the Colonel knowledgeable comment. This could be the most Mr. Hansen has spent in a single purchase. Bloodman posted more than ten years ago on the AWA set: Incredible, spectacular, unbelievable…..The double eagles in the AWA Collection are truly amazing. The quality of the coins across the entire series is superb--many of the coins are finest known. As a twenty dollar gold collector, I can say the eye appeal is stunning. A few absolutely remarkable one-of-a-kind examples are ’59, ’60-S,’62, ‘62-S, ’66, ’68, ’80-S, 1902 and 1906-D. This may sound difficult to believe, but some of the coins appear to be under-graded, eg, ’51-O, ’52-O, ’56, ’73 CL3,’83-S, ’88-S, and 1906. The toning on the 1902 really complements the smooth surface. I really like the ’77-S. I have an example with a similar appearance, which almost glows in the dark. While it is not among the finest know, the 1867 Philly is quite attractive. Congratulations on the incredible set!
1881 Liberty Double Eagle MS62
The existing Hansen specimen being replaced is not bad coin. The 1881 Double Eagle coin that will move to Mr. Hansen’s #2 set is a MS60 POP 2/4, Cert # 81718071. The new PCGS POP 2/0 coin grades only two points better. Expert Ron Guth describes the 1881 as: Whether because of new discoveries over the years or improvements in the way coins are evaluated, there are now several low-end Uncs. available of the 1881 $20. None are choice, but at least collectors have a shot at competing for them. The best of these coins is a PCGS MS62 (which is quite possibly the Dallas Bank example). The price-record-setter for this date was a PCGS MS61 that sold for $152,750 in a 2014 Heritage sale. The PCGS MS62 that Mr. Guth is referencing, I do not believe to be the new Hansen specimen. When Ron Guth article was written, the Hansen coin was certified by NGC.
The coin appeared in Heritage August 2020 US Coins Signature Auction. The coin headlined as: 1881 Twenty Dollar, Important MS62, Tied for Finest Certified, Major Low-Mintage Rarity. At the time of the auction, PCGS had one coin graded sole finest and NGC had one, the new Hansen coin. Heritage confirmed by stating: We have had the privilege of offering some impressive Mint State 1881 double eagles in the past, but this is the first MS62 we have handled. Fewer than a dozen examples are certified in any Mint State by either service, and this coin is one of only two pieces certified MS62 by NGC and PCGS combined. None are certified finer. The 1881 is the first of several low-mintage Philadelphia double eagles from the 1880s. Among them, only the redoubtable 1882 (571 pieces struck) is rarer in circulation strike format, and that is by a slim margin.
Heritage further described the coin as: Today, the 1881 Philadelphia issue has its Mint State rarity well established. Finer pieces become less likely to surface with each passing year, and upward "grade creep" is less than might be expected for top-rated coins of this caliber. The 1881 has a reputation for bagmarks and abrasions -- the primary reason why no coins exceed the MS62 grade level. This piece shows some marks that dot the surfaces, although the partially prooflike fields are less busy than the other Uncirculated examples we have seen. A short mark above the ear, a shallow contact below the mouth, and a small depression on the cheek are noted. The neck truncation is unmarked except for a minor reeding mark that runs parallel to the curls. The strike is exceptionally sharp for an 1881 throughout both sides, and bright mint luster coruscates from every angle. Frosted, rich-gold devices contrast boldly with the reflective fields. Any advanced double eagle collection will benefit from this exceptional Philadelphia rarity, and Registry Set specialists are sure to take notice. There will be a high sense of anticipation when this 1881 twenty is called. The coin realized $138,000 as a MS62 NGC coin.
The coin certainly is not mark free, but I do not think we can find one that is. The coin was successfully crossed to PCGS after the Heritage August 2020 sale. Then, the coin made its way into the Hansen Collection via David Lawrence Rare Coins. There is not any additional information on pedigree. The coin is valued in the PCGS Price Guide at $190,000. The all-time auction record for any 1881 Double Eagle is $152,750 for a PCGS MS61 sold by Heritage in 2014.
Provenance: US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage 8/2020 as NGC MS62), Lot #4047, realized $138,000; Private Purchase (David Lawrence Rare Coins 3/2021), D.L. Hansen Collection.
1881 Liberty Double Eagle MS62 POP 2/0, Tied for Finest Certified by PCGS Certification #41268234, PCGS #8994 PCGS Price Guide: $190,000 / unknown
I personally tip my hat to Mr. Hansen. He obviously set a max bid on the coin, the coin exceeded it and he let it go. To me, that is a bigger sign of greatness for the future of his collection and tells me that he learned a great deal over the past few years since stepping into the coin biz. And, IMHO, this half eagle coin is entirely irrelevant to whether Mr. Hansen’s overall collection is viewed as “great” or not in the future.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
sign of greatness is to have great coins and nothing else.
In my opinion he missed his goal by not buying this coin. It was a must for him.
Anyways it will come up for sale again in the next 10 years, I doubt its in tight hands.
“I believe the 1822 5 was used by someone to put money away, to be protected from inflation and made from stocks.
If the value of your stock portfolio just increased from 200 million to 1 Billion in the last year, its easy to make such a purchase.
I personally dont think this way. I dont want to spend 10 million on anything I think it should be worth 5 - 6 million, and will be worth again this in future probably.
I was planing to bid on the 1822 5 too, I just dont see how its a 8.4 Million USD coin, meaning every other deal I saw I prefer over this one, including the 1804 ten, the Gem Brasher Doubloon and the PCGS 67 20 USD Paquet.
I rather would have the Gem Brasher Doubloon at 10 Million than this one at 8.4, actually the Brasher looks cheap now, like all other big coins that sold recently.”
“sign of greatness is to have great coins and nothing else.
In my opinion he missed his goal by not buying this coin. It was a must for him.
Anyways it will come up for sale again in the next 10 years, I doubt its in tight hands.”
Inconsistent positions by you when read together?
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
@wondercoin said:
“I believe the 1822 5 was used by someone to put money away, to be protected from inflation and made from stocks.
If the value of your stock portfolio just increased from 200 million to 1 Billion in the last year, its easy to make such a purchase.
I personally dont think this way. I dont want to spend 10 million on anything I think it should be worth 5 - 6 million, and will be worth again this in future probably.
I was planing to bid on the 1822 5 too, I just dont see how its a 8.4 Million USD coin, meaning every other deal I saw I prefer over this one, including the 1804 ten, the Gem Brasher Doubloon and the PCGS 67 20 USD Paquet.
I rather would have the Gem Brasher Doubloon at 10 Million than this one at 8.4, actually the Brasher looks cheap now, like all other big coins that sold recently.”
“sign of greatness is to have great coins and nothing else.
In my opinion he missed his goal by not buying this coin. It was a must for him.
Anyways it will come up for sale again in the next 10 years, I doubt its in tight hands.”
Inconsistent positions by you when read together?
Wondercoin
Not inconsistent for me, because I dont need the 1822 5 to achieve a higher collecting goal.
I am guessing about 12 months have past since my last posting on The D. L. Hansen Collection of Liberty Double Eagles. As I have said before, the set can be described as incredible. The collection is PCGS All-Time Finest Set for Liberty Head $20 Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1850-1907). Our new friend and community member @gschwernk has assembled the 87% complete Schweck Collection set which is in the #2 current finest spot. The set range is VF25 to MS66. He made a comment here a few days ago: I recently returned to collecting after a 15-year absence. I've been working on this set for about 2 years. I finished most of the easy dates. Now its mostly a question of finding the coins I need and generating the funds to pay for them. This is an extremely difficult set even for a everyman set. I admire Mr. Schweck for completing 87%, and I hope he can push to 90%.
Thanks for shout out. I purchased a 1859-O at the last Heritage sale and the 1858-O last night. I should get to 90% soon but it will be difficult going further. At some point in the future I will start a separate thread as suggested by other forum members to chronical this quest. Actually my name is Schwenk. There was a typo when I signed up for this forum.
Thanks for shout out. I purchased a 1859-O at the last Heritage sale and the 1858-O last night. I should get to 90% soon but it will be difficult going further. At some point in the future I will start a separate thread as suggested by other forum members to chronical this quest. Actually my name is Schwenk. There was a typo when I signed up for this forum.
@Currin
Thanks for the update on DL Hansen’s 1881 Liberty Double Eagle Upgrade. This is an incredibly difficult date to find in uncirculated condition and the new coin has nice eye appeal.
You mentioned in your post…”I know Eliasberg had a mixture, and probably all collectors before him. The registry does not have the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection as complete. Harry W. Bass has a complete set, but I have not confirmed it to be pure circulating strikes. It would be an interesting question to know.”
Harry Bass did indeed have a complete set of circulation strike Liberty double eagles. These were sold in several sales in 1999-2000. He had many incredible proof double eagles and patterns as well, but also had circulation strikes of all dates and major varieties, eg, 1854 Large Date, 1853/2, 1873 open and close 3. He had multiple examples of many dates in the series. While he had an 1861-S Paquet, he did not have one of the two Philly Paquet examples, which some consider a pattern, while others believe it was intended for circulation.
@Currin
Thanks for mentioning my comments about the AWA collection in your post…
"Bloodman posted more than ten years ago on the AWA set: Incredible, spectacular, unbelievable…..The double eagles in the AWA Collection are truly amazing. The quality of the coins across the entire series is superb--many of the coins are finest known. As a twenty dollar gold collector, I can say the eye appeal is stunning. A few absolutely remarkable one-of-a-kind examples are ’59, ’60-S,’62, ‘62-S, ’66, ’68, ’80-S, 1902 and 1906-D. This may sound difficult to believe, but some of the coins appear to be under-graded, eg, ’51-O, ’52-O, ’56, ’73 CL3,’83-S, ’88-S, and 1906. The toning on the 1902 really complements the smooth surface. I really like the ’77-S. I have an example with a similar appearance, which almost glows in the dark. While it is not among the finest know, the 1867 Philly is quite attractive. Congratulations on the incredible set!"
I remember writing that message more than 10 years ago after viewing and studying every coin in the AWA collection. One coin that stood out to me, which I mentioned, was the 1867 $20 MS61. The coin seemed to be somewhat out of place due it's relatively low grade. I suspect an MS63 could have been found over the years the AWA collection was assembled. However, while this 1867 had a lower assigned grade, it had incredible eye appeal with prooflike fields, minimal marks and devices with a subtle cameo appearance. I can understand why it was kept in the collection even with the modest MS61 grade.
Fast forward to after Hansen acquires the AWA collection and then upgrades the 1867 MS61 to the legendary Newman MS66 coin, which is 3 points higher than the next closest PCGS graded 1867 $20. In 2018, the MS61 1867 $20 becomes available along with other DL Hanson duplicates. Nine years after drooling over this example, I was able to purchase it! The pedigree is extensive for a relatively "common date" double eagle. It was in the DiBello collection which sold in 1970, where it was photographed in the catalog and described as a “Brilliant Uncirculated Gem” and “A premium coin with virtually immaculate surfaces.” It was purchased by Harry Bass, and remained in his collection until it was sold in 2000 in the landmark Bass sale.
The Bowers Merena auction description is copied below. This marvelous example has fully reflective prooflike fields and highly lustrous devices; a delightful cameo. This issue is reasonably available in lower Mint State quality from some lower level Mint State coins found in Europe a few decades ago. The present coin is one of the very nicest we have ever handled and is far less “baggy” than normally seen. In fact, we consider it to be worth “MS-63 money” and go out on a limb by stating such.
The Trueview is shown below along with a few photos of the coin in the holder with the pedigree. While it is not the rarest or most expensive coin in my collection, it is one of my favorites especially with its prooflike surfaces.
This has been an interesting series to watch the past couple years. Actually, the set registry has had a rich history for the past decade or more. There has been a nice little battle to watch between Dell Loy Hansen and the owner of the Washington Rainbow collection which I will refer to as Mr. WR. The battle between Mr. Hansen and Mr. WR really got serious with the Hansen purchase of several Washington Quarters from the Red’s Silver Collection. I discussed in a post on April 1, 2020 titled: “Updates from Red’s Silver Quarters”.
I wrote: The Hansen Collection upgraded 13 WQ coins. The basic set had nine upgrades and the Major Varieties set replaced four specimens. The Hansen’s Silver sets for both Basic and Major Varieties were already #1 All-Time. The Hansen Collection achieved this status September 2019. These upgrades make the best even better. Twelve of the upgrades are from the R. L. Redmond’s “Red’s Silver Sets”. He retired the #3 All-Time Basic Set, the #2 All-Time Classic Set, and the #5 All-Time Major Varieties Set. David Lawrence Rare Coins featured these Washington quarter sets in a Sunday Auction on March 22, 2020. The auction featured the Red's Silver Washington Quarter Collection. 123 beautiful, registry-quality Washington quarters are available for bidding, many of them with No Reserve…. Red’s Silver Washington Quarter Collection is currently ranked as the #2 PCGS Set Registry for Silver Washington Quarters with Major Varieties. This collection was painstakingly pieced together by a longtime collector who focused on quality and eye appeal with each and every coin. In fact, 95 of the individual coins have garnered the coveted CAC seal of Approval for quality. The highlights of the collection include numerous absolute Finest Graded examples from PCGS, and several key dates that are virtually impossible to improve upon in any way, shape or form. Quite a few of the coins in this collection also bear the pedigrees of royalty within the Washington Quarter collecting categories. Mr. Hansen was the successful bidder on at least 12 coins for his primary sets. He may have purchased more if he added any to his duplicate sets.
As stated, the Hansen Collection of Washington Quarters was all-time top set for several periods since September 2019, but never could maintain it. Mr. WR won the all-time best in the registry award for 2019 and 2020. As you know, this award is given for the best set at a certain period of time, June 30th, if I recall correctly. Well, Mr. Hansen regained that lead on 3/24 at 1:32 am. The was achieved with a purchase of a MS68 coin from Great Collections Auction. This occurred one day before the previous #1 registry set was offered in auction by StacksBowers.
The StacksBowers Washington Rainbow sale took place on the 3/25, and The D.L. Hansen Team purchased a nice lot containing five coins that improve his top set. I will discuss the Mr. WR set in a little more detail in a later posting. First let us look at the new coin from the Great Collection sale.
1935 Washington Quarter Dollar MS68
If the D.L. Hansen set can hold on to the lead in this series, this coin and purchase will be remembered as the piece that established first place. With the retirement of the Washington Rainbow set, there is a good possibility, at least in the short term that the Hansen set will remain the finest all-time. The existing coin, 1935 MS67+, Cert #32673401, POP 34/5 was bumped down to the #2 set. There are currently five 1935 MS68 in the PCGS POP Report with none graded finer. Two have been offered in auction the past week, one by Great Collections, and the other the Washington Rainbow coin in the StacksBowers Auction. The Washington Rainbow specimen realized $7,200 on 2/25/2021.
PCGS Expert David Hall describes the 1935 Quarter as: The 1935 is one of the higher mintage early date Washington quarters and it is readily available in all grades. For the pre-1940 Washingtons, only the 1939 is easier to obtain in Gem MS65 condition. In Gem condition, the 1935 is about equal in rarity to the 1936. Strike is not a problem and luster can often be spectacular. As you can see, this is a rather common coin. In fact, in the PCGS Rarity and Survival Estimates, the number given for GEM MS65 or better is 15,000. Currently PCGS values the coin at $20,000, but I would except the figure to come down in the next publication. In fact, the fifth specimen was just added to the pop report a couple days ago.
There is a large group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates 191 entries, with 34 as being MS67+. This sets the stage for several more MS68 upgrades in the future. Up to the past few days, no 1935 MS68 Washington Quarter has ever appeared in auction. Then two appeared, with the Great Collection coin being the first. I have not been able to trace Hansen coin to earlier auctions with lower grades. The Hansen coin was hammered at $7,750 and with buyer’s fees, the coin realized $8,718.75. The coin realized about a 20% premium when compared to the WR coin sold by StacksBowers.
In the past few weeks, we have seen three Hansen basic registry sets move to the top of the leaderboard. First with the purchase of the Linda Gail Franklins, then purchase on the Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels, and the next day or two, we will see the coins purchased from the Washington Rainbow Collection. We have seen some interesting moves made in this exciting collection just in the past couple days. It is certainly fun to watch especially being the cost to watch is free.
@BloodMan said: @Currin
Thanks for mentioning my comments about the AWA collection in your post…
I remember writing that message more than 10 years ago after viewing and studying every coin in the AWA collection.
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For very obvious reason, I do not have the opportunity to share the Liberty Double Eagle set very often. When posting the latest Hansen Upgrade, I want to share some information on the beauty and rarity captured by the AWA collector in his 20 plus year pursuit. To my regret, I was not able to find much written by the experts like Doug Winters, Ron Guth, and their peers. I then stumbled upon your posting which was prefect for what I was looking for. I could tell it was written by someone with a deep interest and knowledge in the Liberty Double Eagles. Thanks for sharing that ten years ago and which allowed me to share it present day. .
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One coin that stood out to me, which I mentioned, was the 1867 $20 MS61. The coin seemed to be somewhat out of place due it's relatively low grade. I suspect an MS63 could have been found over the years the AWA collection was assembled. However, while this 1867 had a lower assigned grade, it had incredible eye appeal with prooflike fields, minimal marks and devices with a subtle cameo appearance. I can understand why it was kept in the collection even with the modest MS61 grade.
.
Fast forward to after Hansen acquires the AWA collection and then upgrades the 1867 MS61 to the legendary Newman MS66 coin, which is 3 points higher than the next closest PCGS graded 1867 $20. In 2018, the MS61 1867 $20 becomes available along with other DL Hanson duplicates
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The MS61 is certainly am overachiever for the graded. In looking at your timeline, I know Mr. Hansen had his collection reevaluated by PCGS in October 2019. You may be aware that in the past few years, PCGS now evaluated gold coins for the PL designation. You purchased the coin prior to Hansen efforts in 2019. I am not sure if you considered having the coin evaluated for the PL designation or not. I think it could be the perfect coin, because I don’t think anyone can ever find another 1867 MS61 even close to the coin you own.
Lastly, is your set in the Registry? It would be a great set to share. Thanks again and enjoy your collection of Liberty Double Eagles.
About Liberty double eagles, it has been said, a complete set is one of the greatest challenges in all of numismatics. There are so many tough/expensive dates, but it goes beyond that. Finding coins in this series with minimal marks, original surfaces and nice eye appeal adds another element making the challenge exponentially more difficult. For the common dates, like a majority of the type 3s, I prefer examples with prooflike surfaces for an even greater challenge. Examples, with PL surfaces represent less than 1% of the graded populations at NGC and PCGS. I am happy that PCGS is now designating all deserving coins as prooflike, though at this time I don't plan to attempt crossing over the PL coins in my collection, though I may in the future.
@Currin Thanks for all of your efforts providing updates in this thread. It is always interesting to read each of your posts.
Stacks Bowers Auction recently announced: The Magnificent Washington Rainbows Collection Featured in our March 2021 Las Vegas Auction.
The sale took place the Thursday afternoon, 3/25. They described the set as: We are thrilled to feature the Washington Rainbows Collection in our March 2021 Las Vegas Auction, our first Showcase event for Americana and United States coins and paper money of the year. It is the all-Time Finest PCGS Registry Set of Silver Washington Quarters 1932-1964, and was assembled with a focus on exceptional toning. The collection represents the very pinnacle of quality for this series, combining both incredible eye appeal and unsurpassed preservation. Nearly every one of the 83 coins therein ranks at the top of the PCGS Population Report, and many reflect the sole finest known specimens. A plethora of CAC stickers emphasizes the truly superior quality of the Washington Rainbows Collection. The iconic 1932-D and 1932-S key-dates are represented by MS-66 (PCGS) examples; none have been graded finer for either issue. An astounding 26 coins have been awarded grades of MS-68 or MS-68+ by PCGS, including the vibrantly toned 1948 which ranks as the sole finest at MS-68+ (PCGS) CAC. The 1937-D, 1953-D and 1964 are particularly noteworthy for their spectacular color and have been graded MS-67+ by PCGS; the 1953-D has also been approval by CAC. Each individual coin is a treasure, and they come together to create an astounding and unprecedented single collection.
Of the 83 coins offered, only ten coins could improve that D.L. Hansen set. Seven of them were PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest, and three were POP 2/0 specimens. According to registry updates, the Hansen team purchase eight of the ten coins (update from last posting indicating five). Also, they purchased four or five for the #2 set, with total purchase of maybe a 12-15 give or take a couple. I roughly figure the purchase to be somewhere around $150,000 or a little more. The Hansen team was not successful in two coins that I can confirm by registry updates.
Of the seven sole finest, Mr. Hansen purchased five with the other two being purchased by a CAC registry collector. These are the results from Hansen top set purchases and the other two sole finest coins. I included the remarks for the Stack’s Bowers descriptions.
Eight Coins that Mr. Hansen Purchase for #1 Set:
Lot #2295 - 1940-S, MS68, POP 2/0, realized $10,200, Phenomenal.
Lot #2309 - 1945-D, MS68, POP 1/0, realized $20,400, Breathtakingly Beautiful.
Lot #2314 – 1947, MS68, CAC, POP 1/0, realized $32,400, Enchanting.
Lot $2324 – 1950-S, MS68, CAC, POP 2/0, realized $19,800, Top-Pop with Vivid Toning.
Lot #2334 – 1954, MS68 , POP 2/0, realized $9,000, Exceptionally Vivid Toning.
Lot #2336 - 1954-S, MS68, POP 1/0, realized $12,000, Top-of-the-Pop.
Lot #2342 - 1957-D, MS68, CAC, POP 1/0, realized $11,400, Spectacular Top Pop.
Lot #2356 - 1964-D, MS68, CAC, POP 1/0, realized $38,400, Exquisitely Toned.
Two Coins purchased by CAC Registry Set – Escalante Collection:
Lot # 2284 - 1936-S, MS68, CAC, 1/0, realized $31,200, Finest PCGS (Hansen Specimen MS67+)
Lot #2317 – 1948, MS68+, CAC, 1/0, realized $43,200, Intensely Vivid, (Hansen Specimen MS67+)
The 1948, MS68+, CAC, 1/0, went into a CAC Registry set named Escalante. There are only two Washington Silver Quarters that have been certified MS68+. They are the 1948 Rainbow/Escalante specimen and a 1941 which appear to be the David Poole Specimen that last sold in Heritage’s January 2013 US Coin FUN Signature Auction in Orlando. At the time of the sale, the coin was certified MS68. It was CAC Approved in the MS68 holder. The current location of that coin is not known to me. The Washington Top Pops are very fluid at this time. I talked with my Washington specialist friend, and he indicated we may see some slowing down on grade inflation but may too early to tell for sure. Therefore, I am not confident the shelf life of these POP 1/0 sole finest specimens will to be very long.
Of the eight coins purchased from the Washington Rainbows Collection, Stack’s Bowers Auctions provided very appealing descriptions for all of them. They called the 1947 MS68 as being “Enchanting”. I will use this coin as the feature for today.
1947 Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68, Ex: Washington Rainbows Collection
This PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest specimen is consider a rare coin from the “absolute sense”, but it is exceedingly rare for MS68 PCGS, only one. Expert David Hall wrote: The 1947 is the rarest of the three 1947 issues. Gems are not rare in the absolute sense, but they are more difficult to locate than Gems of the 1947-D and 1947-S. PCGS rarity and survival estimate is 12,000 for GEM MS65 or better.
There is a large group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates 161 entries, with 27 as being MS67+, and this specimen the sole MS68. With the MS67+ Pop at 27, the stage is set for several more MS68 upgrades in the future. Before the Stacks Bowers Sale, no 1947 MS68 Washington Quarter has ever appeared in auction. The previous auction record was $4,406 for a MS67+ in a Heritage Auctions held on 07-11-2013. This was for a PCSG MS67+ specimen that is currently in The Buckeye Collection (Registry Set). Naturally, the Hansen / Rainbows MS68, CAC Approved, POP 1/0 sole finest crushed the previous record.
In the Stacks Bowers Auction, the coin was headlined as: ”Enchanting 1947 Quarter, MS-68 (PCGS), CAC” In the long description, SBG added: Halos of lovely pinkish-apricot and champagne-gold iridescence ring the peripheries and frame essentially brilliant centers. This is a beautiful coin, and also an exceptionally well preserved one that ranks as the single finest-certified 1947 quarter at PCGS. Extraordinary quality and eye appeal for the advanced Set Registry collector. As you will see in the image, the coin has less of the vivid toning than is seen with most of Rainbows Specimens.
The 1947 MS67+ coin has appeared in auction 13 times since 2013. I was not able to confirm if the new Hansen coin appeared in any of these auctions as a MS67+. In Heritage’s July 2013 US Coins Signature Auction in Orlando, the previous auction record MS67+ coin came with a Heritage statement Only Two at PCGS. What difference seven or eight years make. This make me wonder how inflated the 27 MS67+ number is. It also makes me wonder how many times the 1947 MS68 coin was submitted before receiving the MS68 grade.
As you have seen in today’s discussion, the D.L Hansen Collection has the top set of PCGS Washington Silver Quarter Dollars. If Mr. Hansen purchased eight coins from the Washington Rainbows Collection to improve and update his top registry set, then mission accomplished. As I have been stating in posting from the past few weeks, in this mega collection, it can be hard to realize how significant eight coins can be. After all, the Hall of Fame basic set requires 3741, so can eight coins make any difference? In GPA, I would say not much. I know I am repeating myself from a previous posting, but as an historic accomplishment, improving these series to all-time greatest is very significant for the bigger picture. I will plan to discuss this big picture in a little more in depth in the next and last Washington Silver Quarters update.
Provenance: Washington Rainbows Collection (Stacks Bowers 3/2021), Lot #2314, realized $32,400; D.L. Hansen Collection.
1947 Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68 PCGS POP 1/0, CAC Approved Certification 37491242, PCGS #5833 PCGS Price Guide unknown / Realized $32,400 Ex: Washington Rainbows Collection
With the posting today, we will wrap up the Washington Silver Quarter Dollars discussion and Washington Rainbows Collection of PCGS Quarter Dollars. The Rainbow collector has been around the Washington Quarter registry for almost two decades. This collector’s first set was named Manofcoins PCGS Collection that was retired in 2006. The second PCGS set was retired last week, and the coins were sold in the Stacks Bowers sale. As I have said before, I hope we are not reaching the end of an era for this very distinguished Washington Quarter Dollar Registry Collector. He has been active member of the forum and has posted on this thread. Maybe he can share some thoughts on the sale, and future goals and plans.
This purchase brings most of the top PCGS graded coins into the D.L. Hansen set. There are a few more that could improve the set but not many. For the record, the registry set shows seventeen coins that can be replaced. Of those seventeen, Hansen have three top pop coins in his second set, 1937-S MS67+ Pop 7/0, 1949 MS68 POP 3/0, and 1955 MS67 POP 5/0. It appears some cleanup work is needed. Also, the registry set indicates there is a sole 1964 better than the MS67+ in the Hansen set. I do not believe the coin exist and there is an error in the registry. There is not a coin for 1964 MS68 in the PCGS Population Report. This means only twelve of the 83 coins on the Hansen Collection can be upgraded, with eleven having PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens. This is the breakdown for remaining eleven non-Hansen sole finest:
There are five PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest in the Escalate Registry (1932 MS67+, 1936-S MS68, 1945-S MS68, 1947-D MS68, and 1948 MS68+)
There are two PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest in other registry sets (1943-S MS68 in Don Murphy Set and 1956 MS68 in High Desert set)
There are four PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest specimens that is not in the registry (1939-D MS68, 1941 MS68+, 1953-D MS68, and 1963-D MS68). Are these four coins in stock inventory, unpublished sets, being hoarded? I am not sure.
This leaves only three other coins in the D.L. Hansen Collection which is eligible for upgrade that does not required the purchase of the sole finest specimen.
1941 25C MS67+, CAC, Certification #25205204, PCGS POP 32/2, two PCGS certified finer.
1. MS68, Certification unknow, POP 1/1 current location unknown (may not exist).
2. Sole finest MS68+ previously mentioned location unknown.
1948 25C MS67+, CAC, Certification #33229116, POP 33/3, three PCGS certified finer.
1. MS68, Certification #21072746, POP 2/1 currently resides in the Wondercoin Collection.
2. MS68, Certification #Unknown, POP 2/1 current location unknown.
3. Sole finest MS68+ previously mentioned in the Escalate (Registry Set)
1951-S 25C MS67+, CAC, Certification #36066688, POP 45/3, three PCGS certified finer.
1. MS68, Certification #39827534, POP 3/0 currently resides in the Escalate Collection.
2. MS68, Certification #18368639, POP 3/0 currently resides in the Wondercoin Collection.
3. MS68, Certification ##Unknown, POP 3/0 current location unknown.
There are 248,928 registered Washington Silver Quarters listed in the PCGS Population Report. Some of them may be invalided due to resubmits, but still there is probably at least 200,000 or more. Out of all the coins, if I exclude coins in registry sets, there are only seven specimens unaccounted for that can upgrade Hansen’s set.
The wild card set in the series is the Hall of Fame Wondercoin set. Without replacing a coin, the set has made its way back to the second spot in the current registry. What is unique about this set, it is one of the few survivor sets. At the time of the HOF award in 2012, this set had 20 sole finest POP 1/0 specimens and countless number of tied for finest certified. PCGS described the set as: While a complete date and mintmark set of Washington Quarters in 67.18 is tough enough, when you add in the five Double Die Obverses and the two 1950 over-mintmarks, the task becomes immeasurably tougher. Replete with “finest knowns” Mitch’s effort is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. Congratulations on a third Gold Star award and PCGS Set Registry Hall of Fame induction! This set has been packed away practically untouched for almost a decade. I talked with Mitch Spivack about his set, and he said he has no current plans. I wonder (no pun) what this set would grade with the current PCGS grading standards. It will be interesting to watch and see if Mitch decides to do anything with this set. Could it become an instant #1 set again?
The significance of this purchase of eight specimens from Washington Rainbows PCGS Registry Set
I mentioned a few days ago that I will have a brief discussion on significance of the purchase. I wrote: The D.L Hansen Collection has the top set of PCGS Washington Silver Quarter Dollars. If Mr. Hansen purchased eight coins from the Washington Rainbows Collection to improve and update his top registry set, then mission accomplished. As I have been stating in posting from the past few weeks, in this mega collection, it can be hard to realize how significant eight coins can be. After all, the Hall of Fame basic set requires 3741, so can eight coins make any difference? In GPA, I would say not much. I know I am repeating myself from a previous posting, but as an historic accomplishment, improving these series to all-time greatest is very significant for the bigger picture. As with purchase of the Linda Gail Franklins, the Forsythe Nickels, and now the Washington Rainbows Quarters, we are seeing one of the best 20th Century Collection of coins being built before our eyes. For a couple postings, I showed you a closer look by denomination (or groups) and then even more granular by series (Registry sets). Let us look at how the Quarter Dollars are shaping up overall.
This is a close look at the Quarter Dollar Basic Collection. As result, I broke out 667 coins of the 3741-piece Hall of Fame set to form the Quarter Dollar Collection. Then let us take a deeper look at this 667-piece collection. I broke the Quarters into eight basic series that represent the Quarter Dollars from 1796 to present. I hope this gives you a better feel of just what has materialized with the 8-coin Washington Rainbows purchase. For Quarters, the Hansen Collection current has the all-time finest sets in two of the series. Six of the Quarter Dollar series are in the top five all-time. Surprisingly to me, the Standing Liberty is the lowest ranking set. The all-time best registry set is “Hall of Fame - Just having fun!” set that retired almost a decade ago. A set by The Ohio Collector is the current #1 Set and has held the lead since the HOF JHF retired. The two sets have been dominating for almost 20 years. Dr. Charles Link and Brett Pogue have the top sets for the two early series. For Quarter Dollars, The D.L. Hansen Collection now have two top sets, two in second place in the registry, and two in third place. Will we be seeing anymore retirement from the top sets. Only time will tell for sure. As for now, let us look at one of the recent purchases from the Washington Rainbows Collection.
1964-D Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68, Ex: Washington Rainbows Collection
This is the last Washington Quarter Dollar in the series. Also, it was the most Mr. Hansen paid for a purchase in the Washington Rainbows sale. This is not the most expensive coin the Hansen Washington Collection, that honor goes to the 1932-D and 1932-S. I would say the new 1964-D Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68 is certainly in the top five of this 83-coin set. PCGS Expert David Hall commented: The mintage of 704 million coins for the 1964-D is by far the largest of the 1932-1964 silver Washington quarter series. Only the mintage of the 1964 is even remotely close. In fact, except for the 1964, the mintage of the 1964-D is more than five times that of its nearest rival (the 1963-D at 135 million). Still, the 1964-D is less common in Gem condition than several of the S Mints of the 1940s and 1950s. Though a lot of coins were made in 1964, they apparently weren't made and/or handled very carefully. It is interesting that one of the largest production of coins, is now one of the rarest in high grades.
There is not a lack of GEMs to meet the collector’s needs. According to PCGS rarity and survival estimates, the number of MS65 and over is 11,000. There is over 1100 MS65 graded by PCGS alone. Relative to other dates, there is not as large of a group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates 94 MS67s, with only 20 graded MS67+. Naturally, the new Hansen Specimen is the sole MS68 by PCGS. The MS68 appeared in auction once before.
In Legend’s Regency 32 Auction in May 2019, the coin appeared for the first time. The legend auctioneer described the coins as: Washington quarter Registry Set collectors have a UNIQUE opportunity here! Presented is the SOLE FINEST PCGS GRADED 1964-D quarter, and it is a marvelously toned SUPERB GEM! Everything about this coin screams out to the viewer, its exceptional visual allure captivates the eye. Classic mint set hues blend on both PRISTINE sides, its variegated colors amplified by a bold, radiating mint luster. Sunset orange, rich violet, emerald, olive green, and rose patina come to life while rotated in a light. Even with a strong glass, this coin looks essentially PERFECT with no marks or lines detected anywhere. The coin is the sole finest at least up to now. At the time of the Legend Auction, PCGS has not placed a valuation on the coin. PCGS has not listed a value for the date in MS68, but for the type, Collector's Universe lists a generic value of $5,250 in MS68. As the sole finest example for the date, we know that anyone working on the #1 PCGS Registry Set of Washington Quarters needs this coin! With the recent results of Pop Top and finest known coins off the charts, we know this coin will shatter records. The record holder for the date was for an MS67 sold in March 2010 for $6,900. Bound to see fierce bidding. The coin did shattered the auction record as predicted. The coin realized $27,025.
We can assume Washington Rainbows was the guy “working on the #1 PCGS Registry Set of Washington Quarters”. If he purchased the coin in the Legend’s sale, then he was able to make a nice profit when sold last week in the Stacks Bowers sale. The coin was headlined as: Single Finest PCGS-Certified 1964-D Quarter, Exquisitely Toned PCGS/CAC MS-68. SBG described the coin as: Vivid multicolored toning has a slightly mottled distribution over both sides of this frosty and essentially pristine example. Shades of orange-copper, salmon-pink, sea-green and antique gold are all in evidence -- very attractive. At 704,135,528 coins struck, the 1964-D has the highest mintage in the Washington quarter series up to that point in time. Superb Gems are surprisingly scarce, however, and in PCGS MS-68 the present example is the finest certified and represents awe-inspiring quality for this otherwise readily obtainable issue. Phenomenal! The CAC Approved coin realized $38,400 which is considerable more than the PCGS Price Guide value of $30,000.
Provenance: Regency 32 Auction 32 (Legend 5/2019) lot 412, realized $27,025; The Washington Rainbows Collection (Stacks Bowers 3/2021), lot 2356, realized $38,400; D.L, Hansen Collection.
1964-D Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68 PCGS POP 1/0, CAC Approved Certification #37717355, PCGS #5877 PCGS Price Guide $30,000 / Realized $38,400 Ex: Washington Rainbows Collection
Exceedingly Rare is how Heritage described the O-121, Rarity-7+ as a Proof, Square Base 2, 1827 Half Dollar. After spending a few weeks in Liberty Nickels, Franklinton Half dollars, and Washington Quarters, it feels good getting back to an old early issue. Can it get much better than a proof half dollar? PCGS does have a set that represents these coins. The set is Capped Bust Half Dollars Basic Set, Proof (1817-1839). The set only requires 24-coins. No big deal, right? This is the description PCGS gives the set: This is an extremely rare and difficult set to complete. In fact, completion during one's lifetime might be nearly impossible. The 1817 and 1819 have a mintage of 2 each. No coin in the set has a mintage over 20 and most have mintages under 10. Completion of this set would put the owner in the Numismatic Hall of Fame. There is that phase “Exceedingly Rare” again.
I have not researched this series as much as I would like to. None of the greats like Eliasberg or Norweb have sets listed in registry. We know they had a few of these coins, but we do not know how many. Even Brett Pogue had a small collection. In today’s registry, there are only four playing in the pool. The best, long-term collection belongs to Dr. Charles Link. His collection is 70.83% complete, which translated to having 17 of the 24 required coins. The other three collections are Duke, Coinbert, and DL Hansen. If you combine the last three sets, they will total 17 coins, the same as Dr. Link. This will be an interesting set to watch in the coming years. Yes, years. It took Mr. Link more than twenty years to make the progress that he has.
Unlike many coins in the set, the 1827 is one that all four of the current registry collectors can have a representative. After all, there are seven known specimens! Why do these coins exist? In the March 2021 Stacks Bowers sale, this theory was offered: American collectors of rare coins were few in 1827, but they were not non-existent. The fable of Joseph J. Mickley acquiring four newly struck Proof quarters at the United States Mint in 1827, along with the fictional corollary that he must likewise be the source of other Proof 1827 coins, invents a falsehood and at the same time masks a truth. Mickley had a number of contemporaries who would have desired and avidly collected Proof coinage struck this year. He was not the first person to care, nor was he alone in his interest in such things. Some of the names are familiar to modern scholars, people like Dr. James Mease, Matthew Stickney, and Robert Gilmor, Jr., while others are obscure or unknown altogether. As rare as Proof coins from the 1820s are, a piece like this need not have been a presentation coin struck for a VIP or an experiment by Mint personnel to see just how perfect a coin they could strike. It could easily have been made to order for a pioneering American collector.
The true reason the coins were produced may never be known for certain. The auctioneer continued by adding: Produced as they were for presentation or other official purposes, or on a made-to-order basis for contemporary collectors, it is little wonder that Proof half dollars were struck in very limited numbers during the 1820s. In all instances the exact mintages are unknown since the United States Mint did not start recording the number of Proof gold and silver coins struck until 1859 (it did not follow suit for minor coinage until 1878). Even the number of coins extant for these rare and special issues is a matter of debate, as many coins that have been labelled as Proofs by earlier generations of numismatists no longer qualify as such by today's strict standards. After almost 200 years, there are only seven positively confirmed as Proofs specimens verified. The total list based on the recent Stacks Bowers sale:
1. Eliasberg – Pogue Specimen, PCGS Proof-67. Ex S.H. and H. Chapman's sale of the George H. Earle Collection, June 1912, lot 2927; John H. Clapp; Clapp estate, 1942; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, April 1997, lot 1831; Heritage's FUN Signature Auction of January 2004, lot 2078; Ira & Larry Goldberg's Pre-Long Beach Sale of February 2006, lot 1468; D. Brent Pogue; our (in association with Sotheby's) sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part III, February 2016, lot 3062.
2. Norweb – Duke (Registry Set) Specimen, PCGS Proof-66 Cameo. Ex W. Elliott Woodward's sale of the Joseph J. Mickley Collection, October 1867, lot 1706; "Reakert" or Reakirt family; Columbus Stamp & Coin Co.'s dispersal of the Reakirt Collection, 1962; Mrs. R. Henry Norweb; our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Norweb Collection, Part III, November 1988, lot 3088; our (Bowers and Merena's) Stetson University Collection sale, May 1993, lot 293.
3. O’Neil - Link (Registry Set) Specimen, PCGS Proof-66. Ex our (Stack's) session of Auction '83, July 1983, lot 690; Superior's sale of the A. Bernard Shore Collection, January 1988, lot 1768; David W. Akers' session of Auction '90, August 1990, lot 1599; RARCOA and David W. Akers' Chicago Sale, August 1991, lot 532; Heritage's Chicago Signature Auction of August 2011, lot 7157; Heritage's FUN Signature Auction of January 2013, lot 5633; Jim O'Neal; Heritage's sale of the Jim O'Neal Collection of Proof Type Half Dollars, August 2018 ANA Signature Auction, lot 5142.
4 – Unique Overton-107 Specimen. PCGS Proof-64. Ex Lester Merkin's Public Auction Sale of September 1967), lot 255; Heritage's Milwaukee Signature Auction of August 2007, lot 1682.
5. NGC Specimen - Proof-64. Ex Heritage's Exclusively Internet Auction of June 2001, lot 2309; Heritage's Santa Clara Signature Auction of November 2001, lot 5883. The Proof-65 Cameo grading event currently listed on the NGC Census may represent a more recent submission of this coin.
6. Noblesse – Hansen (Registry Set) Specimen, PCGS Proof-63 Ex Noblesse Collection, obtained by a European noble while visiting the United States in the middle 19th century and retained therein by the same family until consigned to the following auction; Noblesse Collection / Long Beach Signature (Heritage 9/2013 as PR62 NGC), lot 6432, realized $21,150; CSNS Signature (Heritage 4/2017 as PR62 NGC), lot 4047, realized $25,874.68; Rarities Night (Stacks Bowers, 3/2021 as PR63 PCGS), lot 4099, realized $55,200, D.L. Hansen Collection.
This purchase places the D.L. Hansen Collection at 25% complete for this 24-piece collection. The 1829 PR65 Cert #28748307 is CAC Approved, POP 1/0, finest certified by PCGS from the Norweb Collection. The 1832 PR65 Cert #83224897 is tied with one other from PCGS for finest. Also, this coin is the finest of only two O-106 Proofs. Overall, as many as nine 1832 Proof Half Dollars have been confirmed. At only 25%, and many of the tougher dates are still to come, the D.L. Hansen still have a way to go.
The coin was purchased in Stacks Bowers, March 2021 Rarities Night Auction. SBG auctioneer described the listing as: A phenomenal rarity, as are all United States Mint Proof coins from the 1820s, this lovely 1827 Capped Bust half dollar boasts quality and appeal far in excess of what may be conveyed simply by the Proof-63 numeric grade. It is a wonderfully toned specimen with subtle gold, powder blue and champagne-pink undertones to warm olive and pearl-gray patina. The fields are modestly reflective, a feature best appreciated with the aid of direct lighting, and the strike is impressively sharp from the denticulated borders to the central high points. Indeed, most design elements are fully defined. There are no sizeable handling marks, the in-hand appearance smooth overall, and the only useful identifier we can offer is a tiny planchet drift mark (as made) at the base of Liberty's neck.
Story told on this coin: Numismatists were far more plentiful in Europe in the 1820s than they were in the United States, where the hobby already enjoyed a rich history and eager following, especially among the nobility. And it was a European noble, in fact, who acquired this coin while visiting the United States during the 19th century, no doubt impressed by the technical triumph in metal that the Philadelphia Mint was already able to achieve despite its youth when compared to the great coinage facilities of Europe.
I believe this was a good pickup for Hansen. Will he someday upgrade? Maybe, especially if top two or three specimens were to come available. The Overton-107 specimen would be interesting if it became available just from the fact of its uniqueness. For now, Mr. Hansen has acquired his sixth coin for the difficult set. This coin realized $55,200 with no PCGS Price Guide Value available.
Provenance: Noblesse Collection / Long Beach Signature (Heritage 9/2013 as PR62 NGC), lot 6432, realized $21,150; CSNS Signature (Heritage 4/2017 as PR62 NGC), lot 4047, realized $25,874.68; Rarities Night (Stacks Bowers, 3/2021 as PR63 PCGS), lot 4099, realized $55,200, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1827 Capped Bust Half Dollar. O-121, Square Base 2. Proof-63 PCGS POP 2/3, Extremely Rare with Seven Known Certification #84145796, PCGS #6205 PCGS Price Guide Value: unknown / Realized $55,200 Ex: Noblesse Collection, Dr. Charles Link Collection
This is an update for a nice half eagle upgrade. In doing so, I thought it would be a good time to focus a little on the New Orleans Half Eagles. The set consist of only 16 coins. The set has an inconsistent date run of Liberty Head Half Eagles from 1840 to 1894. The last date in which Half Eagle were produced at New Orleans before the Civil war was 1857. The next Half Eagle would not be produced in New Orleans until 1892, then halting again in 1894. Only one Indian Head Half Eagle was produced, dated 1909-O.
Naturally, the Hansen set is complete and ranks #1 in the registry. The set has five dates graded finest by PCGS with three as PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest, 1844-O, 1854-O, 1893-O. The new upgrade is a POP 3/0. The highlight of this short set is the 1909-D Indian Head Half Eagle, MS64+, CAC, POP 1/4. The coin is valued in the PCGS Price Guide at $265,000. The coin was purchased from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part III Sale in January of this year. Probably the best Liberty Head New Orleans Half Eagle is the 1844-O GEM MS65. I believe the coin is an ex: ex-Miles / Bass Specimen, but I have not confirmed. I say this because the Miles / Bass is the only GEM specimen that exist.
The set grade range is from the 1842-O AU53 to the 1844-O MS65, except for one outlier, 1847-O VF25. It is hard to believe after almost five years, the Hansen Team has not had a better specimen offered. With only one specimen graded mint state, a sole MS61, maybe there is valid reason. No grade VF 45 or better have appeared in auction in the last five years. With a nice replacement of the 1847-O VF25, there should be large jump in GPA.
Let us talk about the new upgrade. The 1846-O coin was purchased in a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction.
1846-O Liberty Head Half Eagle, MS62
The coin was purchased to replace an AU58, POP 11/8 Hansen Branded Specimen. I believe the coin was purchased in Heritage June 2017, Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction. The specimen realized $7,638. Expert David Akers comments: The 1846-O is comparable in overall rarity to the 1845-O and the two varieties of the 1843-O. It is far more rare than the relatively common 1844-O. Most known specimens grade no better than VF or EF, and I have seen only one uncirculated example. The date is underrated and undervalued in all grades, and is really just about as rare as the 1846-C, and certainly more rare, particularly in high grade, than the 1846-D. The number of uncirculated examples have increased since this writing. According to PCGS Rarity and Survival Estimates, there is possibly six, with none grading MS65 or better. In the PCGS Pop Report, there is one MS60, three are MS61, and three are MS62. I think these seven totals have at least a couple resubmits. The Eliasberg /Midas specimen was at one time in a MS63 NGC holder. That coin could be the finest known specimen.
The new Hansen Specimen was offered in a David Lawrence Rare Coin Internet #1154 Auction in January 2021. I have been aware of this coin for the past few weeks but has not been able to report due to other Hansen purchases. The coin was offered in an Old Green Holder. DLRC described the coin as: This rare Mint State survivor from an original mintage of just 58,000 pieces. This gorgeous specimen is tied for finest known PCGS example of this challenging O-Mint issue. Sharp to fully struck throughout, the design elements standout beautifully against distraction free fields. Traces of reflectivity enhance the rich golden surfaces and create fantastic eye appeal. A stunning and nearly unrivaled piece! This coin has an interesting provenance as it appeared out of an old-time collection at a coin shop in Louisiana in the past 3 months. It proceeded to trade hands on a wholesale basis to a local dealer in the area before it arrived on DLRC's doorstep. A truly unique piece that should be considered for an upgrade at PCGS!
If the coin could be considered for upgrade, then it could become a sole finest graded by PCGS (and tie with the MS63 NGC). As for CAC Approved, I can not confirm if the coin has been evaluated. PCGS placed the Price Guide Value at $22,500. The coin must have generated some interest from other collectors as well as Mr. Hansen because the coin realized $45,000. That is twice the guidebook value! This is certainly an all-time auction record for the half eagle. Being PCGS have not had this coin in hand in the last 20-25 years, naturally there is not TrueView image. DLRC produced an image for their website that I will share. This was a nice upgrade for the D.L. Hansen Collection.
@MidLifeCrisis said: @Currin - Will Mr. Hansen keep the 1846-O Half Eagle in the Old Green Holder? Or will he try for an upgrade?
I think I would keep it in the OGH.
I think he will at some point. The past process was a branding, reevaluation and TrueView exercise by PCGS. The last event occurred in Fall 2019 and approx. 6000 coins were processed. This was a one week process. I don’t know when the next one will be planned. Being the coin is accepted into the PCGS sets, I don’t see a short term desire. As you may have heard John Brush say, they don’t like to send coins to PCGS for a number of logistical reasons. The only time that I have seen recently has been when the coin numbers need to be changed. An example of this occurred about a year ago when updating the Half Eagle Major varieties set, some of the coins were in basic holders. I hope this answers the question.
The Liberty Seated Quarters Basic Circulation Strikes Set (1838-1891) is not seen often in the Hansen watch. I would contribute this to the fact that the set has been a top Hansen set since 3/16/2019 by moving ahead of Louis Eliasberg for the first time. With this recent PCGS Pop 1/0 specimen upgrade, the Hansen set is well established in first place. Also, the D.L. Hansen Collection holds the third place spot.
My last update to the Liberty Seated Quarters took place last December. That coin was an Eliasberg GEM. The upgrade was the 1853-O, Arrows and Rays, Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar, MS65, PCGS POP 1/0, The Finest Known. The upgrade today, is also a PCGS POP 1/0, The Finest Known Specimen, 1860 MS67, CAC Approved.
The set consist of 109 coins that PCGs describes as: If you build a type set of this series you are taking on a serious collection. If you build this date set you are dedicated, well-to-do and almost certain to be rewarded. Classic coins abound, including the extremely rare 1873-CC No Arrows and the almost as rare 1870-CC and 1873-CC With Arrows. The list of challenging coins goes on and on, but the set has been completed before and you can be next. PCGS describes the set as been competed before, but I am not sure in this condition before. The Hansen set has 53 PCGS certified finest specimens (48.6%) with 25 sole finest (23%). The lowest graded coins in the set are three XF40 specimens, 1849-O, 1866-S, and the 1870-CC. There are two other XF45s with the other 104 coins AU50 or better. On the high end, there are two MS68+ specimens. Currently, there are no specimens graded higher.
1860 Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar, MS67, CAC Approved
Expert Ron Guth describes the coin as: The 1860 Quarter Dollar started off the new decade with a substantial mintage of over 800,000 pieces. Back then, collectors had ample time to acquire nice examples, leaving numerous opportunities for today's collectors to purchase choice specimens. The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census consists entirely of MS65 and better examples, and at least a dozen or more examples have been certified by PCGS in each of the MS63, MS64, MS65 grades. MS66 seems to be the terminal grade on the high end. Fully struck examples are difficult to find, which may be a limiting factor for the grade. Virtually all of the examples seen thus far have weakness on some to several of the obverse stars. Luster ranges from bright and flashy to soft and creamy. Collectors should look for well-struck examples with good luster and eye appeal -- coins like that should be worth a nice premium today and in the future.
Since Mr. Hansen started his collection about four and half years ago, this coin has been offered in public auctions three times. In the case of this coin, the third time was the charm. The first offering was in Heritage’s January 2017 FUN US Coins Signature Auction in Fort Lauderdale. The coin was offered as MS67, Sole Finest at Either Service. The coin was in a NGC holder with the green CAC sticker. The coin was described by the auctioneer as: Housed in a previous generation NGC holder with CAC endorsement, this is the sole-finest circulation strike 1860 quarter listed by either NGC or PCGS. A rare survivor when collectors preferred proofs to business strikes, this coin somehow eluded the disappearance of silver and gold coinage leading up to and through the Civil War, as well as numerous other financial calamities and panics. Most recently, it somehow avoided the sharp eyes of Gene Gardner when he assembled his incomparable Seated Quarter set, and had to settle for an MS66 coin. The 1860 quarters are normally lightly struck on parts of the obverse, a characteristic seen on this example where the top stars show rounding and the neckline of Liberty's gown is weak. Otherwise, the coin is razor-sharp and virtually mark free. The satin-smooth surfaces are lustrous and pristine. Aquamarine and pale-rose toning cover the obverse, with gold shades across the reverse joined by blue and lavender toning at the borders. The eye appeal is excellent. As described here, the coin strike is a little weak on the obverse. My guess is that Mr. Hansen passed on the coin because of the NGC grade. The coin realized $15,275.
The second offering came in a Heritage June 2020 Long Beach Expo U.S. Coins Signature Auction that took place last year. The big difference in the offering was that the coin had been crossed to a PCGS holder. The coin was still listed as 1860 Seated Quarter, MS67, The Finest Certified Example. The description was slightly shorter: This piece is from Type Two obverse and reverse dies. The obverse has rich sea-green toning with a few splashes of light silver at the center. The strike is bold, despite a few flat stars from 10 to 1 o'clock. The reverse is mostly brilliant, gradually deepening to gold and sea-green near the borders. PCGS has certified 224 submissions of 1860 Seated Liberty quarters and NGC has certified 140 submissions. With a total of 364 examples sent to these two services, only one has earned the MS67 grade with none finer (4/20). This single amazing Superb Gem has also qualified for CAC approval. With all the checkboxes checked, this was a perfect coin for the Hansen Collection. The coin realized $25,200 and the Hansen team did not bring the coin back to Salt Lake.
As I stated, the third time was the charm. This time the coin was offered in Legend Rare Coin Regency 43 Auction in February 2021. The coin was described as: This is the SINGLE FINEST graded 1860 quarter in Mint State! The quality is absolutely stunning from the standpoint of both technical and aesthetic appeal. This coin sold in June 2020 for $25,200. This superb coin belongs in a SUPERB collection: box of 20, type set, or specialized FINEST set of Seated quarters. Bid accordingly! Maybe the results is all in the presentation, I don’t know. For whatever the reason, this time the Hansen Team set the Auction Record when the coin realized $31,725. The coin may have been destine for the Hansen Collection. If so, it eventually made it.
Provenance: FUN US Coins Signature (HA 1/2017 as MS67 NGC), lot 5605, realized $15,275; Long Beach Expo U.S. Coins Signature (HA 6/2020 as MS67 PCGS), lot 3048, realized $25,200; Regency 43 (Legend 2/2021), lot 121, realized $31,725 (Auction Record), D.L. Hansen Collection.
1860 Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar, MS67, CAC Approved PCGS POP 1/0, The Finest Known Certification #38249307, PCGS #5451 PCGS Price Guide Value: $32,500 / Realized $31,725
Comments
The Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels
It took years for this set to be formed with an awful lot of hard hunting. This set includes many coins from the Greenbrier Collection (now the #2 set). We doubt there will ever be a better set assembled! Legend Numismatics 2/2021
This announcement is specifically for the Liberty Proofs that Legend Numismatics is currently offering for sale for $475,000. There were three parts pertaining to the purchase deal made between Gerald Forsythe, Bruce Morelan, and Legend Numismatics. Feature article February 23, 2021 in PCGS News, headline reads: Bruce Morelan Buys Finest 1913 Liberty Nickel; Legend Numismatics Buys The Finest MS+PR Sets Of Liberty Nickels. In more details, the news release article reads: Bruce Morelan and Legend Numismatics recently completed an historic $6 million transaction to reclaim an exquisite collection of Liberty Nickels, including the 1913 Liberty Nickel graded PR66 by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com). The sets, encompassing United States nickels dated from 1883 through 1913, were sold to Legend Numismatics by longtime collector Jerry Forsythe, who commissioned Laura Sperber and her Lincroft, New Jersey, auction company to build the sets. In rough numbers, five million would be for the 1913, and a million for the two sets.
At the writing of this update, the “magnificent” #1 Registry Proof set is still available on the Legend Numismatics website. It appears the magnificent #1 Registry Mint State set was purchased by David Lawrence Rare Coins. Then, the 33-piece set was sold to Dell Loy Hansen. The complete 33 piece set was updated over the weekend with coins going into the #1 Registry and two sets that are given to family members, Diana and Amy. All three registry sets are complete. From the purchase, he also was able to start a new CAC set that is 97% complete with only 1894 date missing.
As stated by Legend Numismatics, Gerald Forsythe purchased coins from the Greenbrier Collection in late 2018 early 2019 time period. With upgrades from Legends, one of the sets created was the #1 Mint State Registry set which was awarded best in the registry for 2019 and 2020. The deal the Legend put together between Forsythe and Greenbrier Collection has not been released to the public that I am aware. If I recall correctly, Bruce won the Finest Known 1913 Liberty Head Nickel in StacksBowers Rarities Night Auction in August 2018. The coin realized $4,560,000. He quickly did a deal to get the coin in the hands of Gerald Forsythe with the overall desire to build a top set of Liberty Head Nickels of all-times. I think it was accomplished which I will expand on at a later time. This is based on my memory of online chatter. If any comments can be better stated, please do so.
The Greenbrier Collection did not retire. There is still a nice collection of Liberty Head coins. When Legends specified that It took years for this set to be formed with an awful lot of hard hunting. That is true, but the credit goes to the collector of the Greenbrier Collection. The collection dates back to 2012. Several great Liberty Nickel sets have sold that give the Greenbrier Collection ample opportunity to continue to improve its set. Some of those early sets include The Land of Smiles Collection that Warren Mills and Mitch Spivack assisted in the assembly. Don’t forget the Ali Set that was assembled by the collector that did the Joshua HOF Mercury Dimes and the Linda Gail Sets. Liberty Nickels pedigreed to the Rafferty Collections are still seen offered even in current sales. One of the earlier sets that was a Registry finest from 2006 to 2010 was the Carnton Collection. Due to Gerald Forsythe branding his coins to the new style holder which was displayed on the PCGS table at the 2019 ANA Show, and changing the certification numbers, and I don’t’ know how many of these great coins ended up in the top coins that Greenbrier sold to Forsythe. When changing certification numbers, the ability to trace is greatly hindered. I am certainly glad it is not a common practice for the Hansen team to change certification numbers.
The D.L. Hansen Collection used eleven coins from Gerald Forsythe Set for the #1 Hansen set. Only one of the coins was a POP 1/0 specimen. It is a little surprising that Mr. Hansen purchased that set, due to not improving his top set with only 33% of the coins. I am going start by featuring a POP 2/0 coin that Mr. Hansen placed in the second Diana set. The 1896 MS67 CAC Approved coin is the 4th most valuable coin in the purchased set.
1896 Liberty Head Nickel Five Cents, MS67, CAC, Ex: Gerald Forsythe Collection
The D.L Hansen Collection keeps (for now) the 1896 Liberty Head Nickel Five Cents, MS67, cert #38680281. The coin was purchased more than a year ago from Pinnacle Rarities. The coin is not CAC Approved, at least at this time. The Collection has both top specimens and one is CAC Approved and one is not. I think at some point of time, we will see the Gerald Forsythe CAC Specimen in the top set. If there ever a good case to downgrade a non-CAC coin, this would be one for the Hansen team to consider. He would have the sole finest PCGS grade, and sole finest CAC specimen.
Expert Ron Guth describes the coin as: The 1896 Liberty Head Nickel is similar in many respects to the 1895: similar mintages, nearly identical populations of certified examples, similar grade distributions, eerily close pricing, and twinnish grade distributions. Collectors will have no trouble finding a nice Uncirculated example, though fully struck examples can be elusive. None have been certified above MS66 by PCGS. If Ron was to update his comment, he would state there are two MS67 and both are in the D.L. Hansen Collection.
There is a large group of PCGS MS66 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates 29 entries, with four as being MS66+. The Hansen coins have separated from that pack by a half of a grade. No 1896 MS67 has ever appeared in auction that I can trace. I have not traced either of the Hansen coins to earlier auctions with lower grades.
As we saw with the purchase of the Linda Gail Franklins, this purchase was a great move made by the Hansen team. The total deal included Bruce getting back his 1913 Proof. Hansen getting the #1 Mint State Registry set and Legend’s has the Proof set remaining to sell. It sounds like a good deal was made for all parties. I will discuss the #1 Hansen Liberty Head Nickels and what it means to the collection in a little more detail next couple postings. Here is the link if you like to view the top two great sets.
D. L. Hansen Liberty Nickels (1883-1912)
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/nickels/liberty-nickels-major-sets/liberty-nickels-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1883-1912/alltimeset/151893
DIANA’S LIBERTY NICKELS
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/nickels/liberty-nickels-major-sets/liberty-nickels-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1883-1912/alltimeset/186790
1896 Liberty Head Nickel Five Cents, MS67
PCGS POP 2/0, CAC Approved
Certification #37912713, PCGS #3857
PCGS Price Guide $25,000 / Purchased as part of a 33-piece set
Ex: Gerald Forsythe Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I look forward to your write up of the Liberty Nickels.
Additional info,
I had the second top Proof lib nickel set for a few years. I could have had number one but as you probably know I believe all the coins all have to be CAC. It was difficult to beat Groman who had the top set for years using all CAC coins. Then around June 2018 a CAC 68 DCAM comes up at HA. I had to pay around 80k but it is I think the top coin in the entire proof series so I bought it.
I became number one that year all CAC. Before that I heard that Groman had the Goldbergs send his set to CAC. I believe eleven did not pass. I consider those one grade lower. I offered Goldberg my set. They said Groman was not interested.
I later offered it to JB but he also passed. I am not sure why as it was not that much money in their big picture. I was not planning to sell any sets but when DLH bought a few I figured why not. I have moved on to different coins. ( Mostly Proof and certain early ms gold.)
So time passes and out of the blue Laura calls me and wants to buy the set for Mr. F.
We agreed within a week and the deal was done. I don't know why the set is not listed on the CAC registry. I think I deleted it by accident instead of retiring it and PCGS could not fix it.
So when Mr. F wanted to sell all his nickels I assume Legend had to buy the proofs.
Mr. Perfection, I am sorry for missing that detail and not including you in the postings. I did not research the proof set being it was not purchased by John. In reading the press release, I incorrectly assume both the MS and proof sets were purchased from Greenbrier. I wonder why only Greenbrier was given credit in the press release. Also, in the description of the proof set for sale, Legend writes: This set includes many coins from the Greenbrier Collection (now the #2 set). I am confused. Are you saying Legends have it wrong?
https://www.legendnumismatics.com/product/5c-1883-1912-proof-1-pcgs-ex-jerry-forsythe/
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
This week the Hansen watch thread reached 200K. Can you believe it? Again, Thanks!!! To all the watchers and also to the people that has contributed along the way. I don’t know about you, but I have learned a great deal. Thanks to Mr. Dell Loy Hansen for his continuing desire to share his collection with our community. He does not have to do this, but he does gracefully, even in times of great criticism. Thanks to John Brush for dropping in from time to time. It is always good to hear from him and the insights that he adds. I hope he continue to share. There are many others that I really appreciate your contributions. I originally said the purpose of this thread is to watch the quest to challenge Eliasberg. I think over time, we have been able to pull a lot of history into the discussion. It is not just been the Hansen Collection discussed. We had discussions on the Linda Gail Collection recently and there have been hundreds of others, from large world-class collections like Brett Pogue, Bob Simpson and Dr. Charles Link to smaller collectors as Stotag Collection. We will never forget Mr. Perfection. He has contributed himself along with many great coins to The Collection.
I going to keep this short and answer a few FAQs. So here we go.
Currin, why do would take so much time describing someone else’s collection? I enjoy reading and learning about coins, specially US minted. The hobby has changed a lot in my lifetime. I recalled the time before the TPG companies; I was reluctant to purchase coins of higher grades. Later, companies like PCGS came on the scene. I can remember the early days of Teletrade when I would receive a weekly leaflet, and called into the auction by telephone. All coins purchase sight unseen. Many of the PCGS coins that I purchased then, have double or triple in value. I currently have about 1200 PCGS certified coins. They are basically in two catalogues. I have a little more than half of a US type set, and almost a complete “Lifetime” set from my birth year to present.
My passion is research. This has been my passion for longer than the Hansen Collection. More than twenty years ago, I studied Louis Eliasberg and his great collection. One of my favorites, as some of you know is William Cutter Atwater. I read most all writing on Harry Bass. He is really a fascinating collector that I believe his true passion was research. All of us are wired differently. As I stated before, the D.L. Hansen Collection provides a great delivery mechanism to pathways in research. The past few days I have been researching the half dollars and a collection called Linda Gail. Last week, I did a little research in the Gold Eagle Bullions. A few months ago, I was entrenched in Major Varieties. I can go on and on. I will ask a question based on the question you asked me on “someone else’s collection”: Is there a better US collection to study? One that is as open and transparent? One that is as diverse in US Issue coinage? One that is expanding as fast? I don’t know of a better or more interesting collection to study. In addition, I think it going to be historic.
Interestingly, this collection has help me to find a new passion which is writing and sharing with the community what I have learned. If I find something interesting, I feel there may be someone out that would be interested too. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to share everything that I have learned. How long will I continue? I don’t know. The fun may end one day.
Know the exact number of coins in the Hansen Collection (does anybody)? Of course John Brush and Dell Loy Hansen know and probably others. I don’t know the exact number, and there is not one. The exact number changes every day. It would be like knowing the exact temperature in Florida. The last published count was 12,000 in the Rare Coin Market Report (November-December 2019). Today, my guess would be 15,000 to 16,000.
What is Dell Loy Hansen goal? I hear this frequently. Also, in the RCMR: Rare Coin Market Report (November-December 2019): Hansen has been at this since only 2016. When the busy Utah billionaire and philanthropist revisited his numismatic pursuits a few years ago after finding some rare glimpses of leisure time he set a relatively humble numismatic objective. He wanted to build an exquisite collection of Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagles, known by many as the most beautiful coin the United States Mint ever struck. Achieving that goal in short order, he wanted more. “I decided to take a look at $20 Saint-Gaudens as a collection to not only put together and try to complete but also as an alternative investment,” Hansen recounts of his original numismatic goals. “But once I started collecting again, my competitive and obsessive nature took hold and I got really hooked into the registry set concept. I realized I could compete on another front and try to build something that is not only fun but historically important!”
I know John Brush has told us Mr. Hansen’s goal many times, but I get this wrong sometimes myself. His true goal is “To Build Sets and Have Fun!”. I think he is doing just that. He is a builder, and he loves building sets. The hunt is fun to him and he buys hundreds of coins weekly. Surely his team helps with the big coins and the six figure purchases, but by total count, majority of the coins he is buying. It appears to me, if he spends Million Dollars, he has more fun buying a thousand coins at $1000, than one coin for a $1,000,000. When I think of some of the other big time collectors of today, this could be a unique trait. Maybe not. He has been ridiculed for this desire. Should he? In the end, building this collection “his way” may result in something extraordinary. If the desire is to have fun, who is it to say he is not doing it the “right way”? I hear at times, so-and-so is doing it the right way. Is there really “one” right way? If so, not only Mr. Hansen, but many of us are getting it wrong.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
This is actually incorrect.
David Lawrence has been offering duplicates from the Hansen Collection in auctions for the past 2 years. He's not liquidating or retiring any of the number 1 sets, but selling some of the pieces that he has upgraded from.
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
It's great to see Diana and Amy collecting! Are they collecting all sets or only selected sets?
Thank you.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
The Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels – Part II
I loved Liberty Nickels even as a kid 65 years ago. I'd get occasional Liberty Nickels in circulation and the simple, classic beauty of Lady Liberty caught my eye even then. Today, that same beauty of Lady Liberty still captivates me and was one of the key reasons I built my collection. I like the coins. - JustHavingFun 2012
PCGS choose the Gerald Forsythe Collection of Liberty Head Nickels to launch their new Rarities holder at the Annual PCGS Set Registry Awards Luncheon on August 16, 2019. In the news release, PCGS described the collection as: Forsythe’s all-time finest Mint State and Proof Liberty Head nickels collection, including the 1913 Liberty nickel, has been encapsulated in the brand-new design. The collection made its debut at the PCGS booth during the recent ANA convention. This is the first time in history a 1913 liberty nickel, of which there are only five known, has been displayed with complete Mint State and Proof sets. Does anyone remember seeing the collection in person? Unfortunately, the Forsythe Collection will never be displayed again.
In this update, we will look closer at Hansen’s Liberty Nickels Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1883-1912). With the 11 updates from the Gerald Forsythe Collection adding to Hansen’s previous 15 specimens tied for finest, and one sole finest, 1912-D MS67 CERT #08379012, the collection is now the #1 set on the Liberty Head Nickels Leaderboard.
As can be seen, the Hansen set is now on top of the leaderboard and setting alone in that position. There are one other active set on the leaderboard that is earmarked for one of Mr. Hansen’s family members, Diana. The Hansen set foundation is the Greenbrier River Collection that received registry awards from 2013 to 2018. The set was sold to Gerald Forsythe and another course of brick was added to the foundation. The Forsythe Collections receive registry awards in 2019 and 2020. Now, the D.L. Hansen Collection has added another course of bricks. Here are the 11 updates to the new top set.
PCGS describes the set as: This set is only the second issue of nickel coinage (with a five cent value) as the "nickel" wasn't introduced until 1866. The Liberty nickel series includes the famed 1883 "No Cents" issue, the rare 1885, and the first mintmarked nickels that were issued in 1912 in Denver and San Francisco. Historic, fun and affordable for most collectors.
The Hansen set has two sole finest specimens and 24 other tied for finest. This leaves only seven POP 1/0 coins that can improve the set. Interesting there are nine POP 1/0 specimens in the 33 piece set. Mr. Hansen now has two. Where are the others?
1883 WITH CENTS MS67, CAC, Certification #36533601 POP 21/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+, Certification #38557386, POP 1/0 currently resides in a private Registry Set.
1895 MS66+, Certification #83760912, POP 6/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67, Certification #25693618, CAC, POP 1/0 current location unknown.
1899 MS67, Certification #81875191, POP 10/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+, Certification #85161701, CAC, POP 1/0 current location unknown.
1901 MS67, Certification #37912715, POP 8/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+ Certification unknown POP 1/0 current location unknown.
1902 MS67, Certification #25617420, POP 8/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+, Certification #85161699, CAC, POP 1/0 currently resides in the Black Cat Collection.
1903 MS67, Certification #25618506, POP 10/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67+ Certification #37396234, CAC, POP 1/0 currently resides in a private Registry Set
1909 MS66+, Certification #35530080, POP 7/1, only one PCGS certified finer.
1. MS67 Certification #35506822, POP 1/0 currently resides in a private Registry Set
Where are the others? I don’t know except for the one in the Black Cat Collection. The coin is in his US Type set. There are three in private Registry Sets. They could be in type sets, but if so, the sets are closed. Then there are three others that are not listed in the registry at all. This does leave the possibility that someone is assembling a high graded set offline. The way PCGS ranks Registry Sets; there are a significant amount of bonus points that is on the table. On the other hand, if the unknown coins are available, then the Hansen Collection may have additional opportunities to improve. He would need three more PCGS POP 1/0 specimens for a sure lock.
1889 Liberty Head Nickel, MS67+, CAC Approved, Ex: Gerald Forsythe Collection
This PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest specimen is a natural for a feature. Expert Ron Guth: The 1889 Liberty Head Nickel is a common coin in all grades up to, and including, MS65, thus making it a popular date among type collectors because of the great value it offers. The finest example is a single PCGS MS66+. As is usual for this series, this date comes with a variety of strike qualities -- the best ones show full radial lines in all of the stars AND a full ear of corn on the left side of the wreath.
For the 1889 Liberty Head Nickel, there is not a large group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates only three with one having the distinction of a MS67+. The two MS67 coins have never appeared in auction that I can trace. The new sole finest Hansen MS67+ example has appeared in auction only once, Legend’s Regency 34 Auction in September 2019. The coin was headlined as: Legend Rare Coin Auctions is honored to have been consigned this magnificent FINEST KNOWN MS Liberty Nickel. The quality and eye appeal are off the charts!
Legend’s Auctioneer described being unique as: This is the lone MS67+ with NONE higher. Obviously there are no auction records. There is no Collectors Universe Value either. Based upon its rarity, we have given our best estimate of the minimum we think it could sell for . If you collect the finest MS Liberty Nickels, this is your only chance to buy an 1889 MS67-make that an MS67+ CAC Liberty (good luck finding another in any date)! They estimated the coin would realize $45,000 to $50,000.
As you will see in the image, the coin has very slight toning if any. Legend’s described the coin’s appearance as: Remarkable surfaces are flawless. Even when using a strong glass you will find zero imperfections. The texture is satiny yet sleek. A full booming cartwheel-like luster beams boldly from all over. There is no question this coin is totally original. Miss Liberty and the details are fully struck and stand out with gentle frost. It just boggles our minds how this 130 year old coin has survived in a such a perfect state of preservation. The eye appeal is fabulous! The coin did not do as well as expected, by realizing $36,425. This Auction Record still is not shabby for a common coin.
As you have seen in today’s discussion, the D.L Hansen Collection has the top set of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels. If Mr. Hansen purchased The Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels to improve and update, then mission accomplished. As I stated in a posting a few days ago, in this mega collection, it can be hard to realize how significant 11 coins can be. After all, the Hall of Fame basic set requires 3741, so can 11 coins make any difference? In GPA, I would say not much. I know I am repeating myself from a previous posting, but as an historic accomplishment, improving these series to all-time greatest is very significant for the bigger picture. I will plan to discuss the big picture in a little more in depth in the next and last Gerald Forsythe update.
1889 Liberty Head Nickel Five Cents, MS67+
PCGS POP 1/0, CAC Approved
Certification #37691505, PCGS #3850
PCGS Price Guide $42,500 / Purchased as part of a 33-piece set
Ex: Gerald Forsythe Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Thanks for writing this post and answering the questions. I enjoyed reading it.
I've been saving my spare change to pick up that rattler proof 68 Barber that DLH has no need for.
One mans trash (even ay $15K) is another man's treasure.
I love that quote...And I'm glad that Dell Loy doesn't think any of the coins are trash...they are like his children at times, so to convince him to sell a coin that he has 4 or 5 of can certainly be a challenge!
That being said, we can always do a long-term layaway for you if that would help.
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 Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels – Part II
I loved Liberty Nickels even as a kid 65 years ago. I'd get occasional Liberty Nickels in circulation and the simple, classic beauty of Lady Liberty caught my eye even then. Today, that same beauty of Lady Liberty still captivates me and was one of the key reasons I built my collection. I like the coins. - JustHavingFun 2012
Great quote from JHF. When we sold the Mint State & Proof Liberty Nickel collections through Stacks nearly a decade ago now, those collections were the finest, hands down, ever assembled. The proof collection, at the time, had nearly every high grade DCAM coin PCGS ever graded as JHF was ok buying doubles. If memory serves me right, we bought a bunch of very cool coins from Sunnywood to include in the sets.
My favorite Mint State Liberty nickel though is the 1888 monster toned specimen I won for JHF in Santa Clara at the Heritage auction in 2002 for the World Record price (at the time) of $21,850. That is the price it fetched after Laura finally dropped her padddle. When we sold the set at Stacks in June, 2012, I set the opening bid ($23,500) on this monster toned 1888 (Lot 2317) at right around (net) what JHF paid for the coin in 2002 and I wouldn’t be surprised if Laura grabbed it the second time around (especially with the CAC sticker although I always knew the toning was real). Anyone know where the coin is today?
Wondercoin
The Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels – Part III
With the posting today, we will wrap up the nickels and the discussion of Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels. I hope we are not reaching the end of an era for this very distinguished Registry Collector. He has been somewhat a mystery. He is renowned as businessman and auto racing magnate, but his passion for numismatics has not been explored than I am aware. As far as I know, he never visited this forum and I don’t remember much activity with numismatics shows and events. He may have been more active in the hobby than I am aware. He was highly promoted by his agent and I have no real knowledge if he had any personal interest in the PCGS Registry. Whither he did or didn’t, his collections will be remembered for a very long time.
The Liberty Head Nickels are not the only Gerald Forsythe Collections that we will see sold in the coming months. Legend Auctions is offering this outstanding set: We are offering the Gerald Forsythe Walking Liberty 50C MS Collection. This collection, which ranks as the #1 all-time finest set on the PCGS Registry, is truly a once in a lifetime collection. An incredible 51 of the 65 coins in the set are Top Pop, including 8 that are the single finest known. The collection is well deserving of its place in the PCGS Hall of Fame, and is a set that could never be surpassed. Because of this, and in consultation with our consignor, we have decided to offer this collection as a single lot, rather than see it broken up. The collection is too incredible to offer as pieces, and a lucky bidder will be able to immediately vault themselves to the top of the registry when they take this amazing collection home, and will likely never lose that top ranking. No set of this caliber has ever been offered as a single lot in auction, and we honored to be able to make history by offering it in our Regency Auction 44. In looking at the D.L. Hansen set, the set would upgrade 32 of the 65 Hansen coins. This upgrade is slightly less than 50%, but would certainly improve the set, and would place the Hansen set in first placed. I would estimate the set would sell in the excess of $2,500,000 which I find interesting that it is being offered as a set. I do not know the interest that Mr. Hansen may have.
The significance of this purchase of the Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels
I mentioned a few days ago that I will have a brief discussion on significance of the purchase. I wrote: The 11 Forsythe Liberty Nickels were purchased to upgrade Hansen Collection. As I stated in a posting, it can be hard to realize how significant 11 coins can be. After all, the Hall of Fame basic set requires 3741, so can 11 coins make any difference? In GPA, I would say not much. I know I am repeating myself from a previous posting, but as an historic accomplishment, improving these series to all-time greatest is very significant for the bigger picture. As with purchase of the Linda Gail Franklins, the purchase of the 11 Forsythe Nickels creates a dynamic that cannot be easily recognized. We must breakdown the mega set to get a true picture. I showed you this for the first time a few days ago I am taking a closer look by denomination (or groups) and then even more granular by series (Registry sets). I have broken the denomination (or groups) into 14 sections. One of them is the Basic Composition Nickels Sets that you will see. Then, I broke this down to the five main series that make up the Nickel Five Cents Collection. What you see developing is a phenomenal collection.
This is a close look at the Nickel Five Cents Basic Collection. As result, I broke out 299 coins of the 3741-piece Hall of Fame set to from the Nickel Collection. Then let’s take a deeper look at this 299-piece collection. I broke the Nickels into five basic series that represent the Nickels from 1866 to present. I hope this gives you a better feel of just what has materialize with the 11 coin Gerald Forsythe purchase. For Nickels, the Hansen Collection current has the all-time finest sets in two of the five series. You may recall the Half Dollars series had more All-Time Finest sets, but maybe not as good overall. As I have stated before, I don’t find it to be realistic that Mr. Hansen can build or buy every top set for all series. It may be realistic that at some point in future if you breakdown the 3741-piece Hall of Fame set, then could see all the series sets on the PCGS All-Time Top Five Leaderboard. This has been achieved for the Nickels! Just take a look at the five sets, two are All-Time Finest, one is #2, and two sets are #3. All the Nickel sets are solid in the PCGS All-Time Top Five. This makes a phenomenal collection of Nickels.
1886 Liberty Head Nickel, MS67, CAC Approved, Ex: Gerald Forsythe / Greenbrier River Collection
This may be the most valuable mint state Liberty Nickel in the Hansen Collection. The coin is valued by PCGS Price Guide at $70,000. There are no six figure coins in the series. I cannot find where the new Hansen coin has ever appeared in auction, and I do believe it is one of the core coins from the Greenbrier Collection. With the certification number change that I described before, and the lack of good images from the Greenbrier Collection, it is difficult to be 100% certain.
Expert Ron Guth: Most collectors consider the 1886 Nickel to be a key issue in the Liberty Head series. Price guides reflect this opinion and place it behind the 1885 and the 1912-S as the third most valuable date. However, in terms of certified examples, this is one of the more common dates in the series, illustrating the power of mintage figures, which have been used traditionally, as an important factor in concluding which coins are rare and which coins are not. As far as Mint State examples go, the 1886 is slightly more "common" than the 1885, but no MS67 1886 Nickels have been certified by PCGS, compared to 2 for the 1885. Strike quality is a factor on this date, as many examples show weakness on the radial line on some (or many) of the stars. Also, keep an eye on that ear of corn on the lower left reverse, as this is often weak, too. If there were an update to Mr. Guth comment, the 1886 Liberty Nickel currently has three MS67 in PCGS Population report. Two can easily be identified, the Forsythe/Greenbrier Specimen and the Carnton Specimen that has appeared twice in recent Legend Rare Coin Auctions . The third specimen cannot be confirmed for certainly.
There is not a large group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates only three, with none finer. As stated, the Carnton Specimen has appeared in Auction twice. The auction record of $64,625 was achieved in Legend’s September 2018 Regency 28 Auction. The coin was not CAC Approved.
The Liberty Nickels has been a fun series to study. As I covered a few days ago, the series has a rich history of great registry sets. Up to recently, there were exciting battles year after year for that top award. The most popular Nickel is the Buffalo Series. In my childhood, it was not too uncommon to find a Buffalo in change. Back in the day, the Liberty Head was called the V-Nickel. I did not find many, but to find one was just as exciting. I guess I am saying, to collect nickels can be fun.
The Mr. Hansen set, formally Greenbrier/Forsythe, has been at the top of the leaderboard since 2013. As discuss a couple days ago, there are still seven PCGS POP 1/0 Specimens out there somewhere. This leaves the possibility that someone is assembling a high graded set offline. We have no way to know for sure if The D.L. Hansen Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels will remain on the top of the Leaderboard for many years to come. Only time we tell for sure.
1886 Liberty Head Nickel, MS67
PCGS POP 3/0, CAC Approved
Certification #37912895, PCGS #3847
PCGS Price Guide $70,000 / Purchased as part of a 33-piece set
Ex: Gerald Forsythe / Greenbrier River Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Paradime Coins Upgrades
As you should have observed along with me, the D.L. Hansen Collection source for upgrades is unlimited. There are the large well finance sources as US Coins, Rare Coins Wholesalers, Heritage Direct, David Lawrence Rare Coins, StacksBowers Numismatics, and several more. Then there are the smaller companies as you will see one of them today. Overall, it is no way to know how many companies have provided coins to this mega collection. I would say it is well in the hundreds. Many purchases are made online by Mr. Hansen. Certainly, he has one of the top agents in the business on his team, John Brush. John has basically told us that he and his team is used for the large purchases, the major auctions and the hard-to-find coins that Mr. Hansen gives up looking. As for the many coins, Mr. Hansen is visiting large and small online companies throughout the country from the convenience of his porch. There are several in the community that will say this is not the “right way” to do it. We have heard other top agents boast that “All of Mr. Big Client coins were purchased by me over a period of 20-25 years”. If the way Mr. Hansen is doing it not the right way, then so be it. The words that Frank Sinatra sang in the song, My Way, I think are fitting for Mr. Hansen and his collection.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has not
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way.
Paradime Coins is an online company located in Las Vegas, NV. The company is owned and operated by Shannon Rajkitkul, aka @SSR, one of our community members. The company website describes the company as: Top Coin Dealer ecommerce store that sells certified Rare U.S coins for sale. We specialize in the finest PCGS, CAC certified Numismatic coins including gold and silver and are members of PCGS, CAC, NGC, LSCC, EAC, ANA & ICTA. The site goes on to say their specialty is: We specialize in top pops, finest known, low survival rate U.S coins, conditional rarities, low cac pops, key dates and coins that have high eye appeal, whilst being certified by PCGS with CAC approval. This is not the first coin that I posted from this company. In January 2021, the collection was updated with an 1887-S Half Eagle PCGS MS66, Sole Finest Certified from this online company. There have been several others over the last few months. The ones that I am aware are:
1859 50C, PR66CAM, CAC Approved CERTIFICATION #50093913, PCGS POP 2/4.
1854-D $2.50 AU58, CAC Approved, CERTIFICATION #40798409, PCGS POP 10/4.
1886 $5 MS66+, CAC Approved, CERTIFICATION #04268951, PCGS POP 1/0 (Sole Finest)
1897 $10, PR62DCAM, CAC Approved, CERTIFICATION #84939257, PCGS POP 1/5.
I would place the total value of the four coins around $100,000. I wonder if we will see more purchases from this company as time march on. I think what I am implying here, great coins do not necessarily have to come from the big, sexy coin companies. If you look hard enough, coins as the 1886 $5 MS66+, CAC Approved can be found. I will focus my feature coin on this specimen.
1886 Half Eagle PCGS MS66+, CAC Approved, Sole Finest Certified
The new coin replaces another PCGS Condition Census Top Five, 1886 $5 MS64+, Certification #81967274, POP 2/3. David Akers describes the coin as: The 1886 is considerably more difficult to obtain than the common dates of the series and choice uncirculated examples are very scarce. For PCGS certified, MS64 is the tipping point. There are 19 entries graded in this condition but only 5 graded higher. PCGS estimate the only five survived in GEM condition or better. PCGS POP report (with possible a resubmission) has three at GEM of better: two MS65, and the new Hansen specimen MS66+. I believe the coin was upgrade to MS66+ about a year ago, with no auction appearance. The coin appeared in auction three times as a MS66 PCGS Specimen.
The coin made its first appearance in a Heritage February 2008 Signature Coin Auction in Long Beach, CA. In a MS66 PCGS Old Green Holder, the coin carried the same certification number which makes it really easy to trace. In this sale, Heritage describes the coin as “The Finest 1886 Half Eagle”. The auctioneer adds: There are many condition rarities in the Liberty gold series, including examples of all denominations. The 1886 half eagle is just such a coin, from a mintage of 388,360 coins, suggesting that it is a rather plentiful date. However, it is seldom encountered in higher grades. For example, the finest of four Smithsonian Institution pieces is only AU58. This green-label Premium Gem is the only piece that PCGS has graded MS66, with none finer. It is fully struck and has extraordinary orange-gold brilliance on both sides. The coin, an auction record, realized $21,850.
The coin appeared in a second Heritage sale the following year. In the May 2009 Signature US Coin Auction in Long Beach, CA, the coin appeared in the same OGH, but this time a green CAC Approved sticker was added. The coin realized $20,700 which is surprising slightly less than without the sticker. After this sale, the coin was off the market for a decade.
Legend Rare Coin Auctions offered the coin in their Regency 35 sale on 12/12/2019. They headlined the coin as: This is the SINGLE FINEST 1886 half eagle graded at PCGS and it is a very pleasing Premium Quality GEM! They described the rarity as: NONE ARE GRADED FINER! This coin is destined for the #1 set of Liberty Head Half Eagles. If you are working on this challenging series, you know how rare this date is to find. This coin has been off the market since May 2009; a whole decade has gone by making this perhaps a once in a generation opportunity that should not be missed. The current Collectors Universe value is listed at $25,000 and for a POP TOP coin like this, it is quite possible that this coin will bring more. Who knows when you will have an opportunity like this again!
The auctioneer described the appearance as: Boldly struck devices stand out and are surrounded by impressive and unending luster. Wonderful peach and gold toning combine over the very high end, pleasingly clean surfaces to give this awesome $5 Lib a stunning look. With 388,360 struck, this date is plentiful in lower grades. It is a RARE date any finer than MS64; that after 33+ years of operations, PCGS and NGC have graded combined a mere seven coins above MS64! I do not believe the NGC MS64 coin to be CAC Approved, making the Hansen specimen POP 1/0 PCGS, POP 1/0 CAC. The pedigree for the coin was stated as: The Piedmont Numismatics Collection. The coin realized $21,737.50, slightly below the Auction Record of $21,850 in the 2008 Heritage Sale.
As stated, the coin was offered on the Paradime Coins website in Feb 2020. The ask price is not known to me. PCGS currently values the coin at $45,000. It is fairly safe to say the coin is more valuable than when appeared in last auction as a MS66, CAC. The coin is now MS66+ and retained the CAC sticker. As described by Legend: This is the SINGLE FINEST 1886 half eagle graded at PCGS and it is a very pleasing Premium Quality GEM!. This world class coin found its way into the Hansen Collection by the way of Paradime Coins.
Provenance: Signature Coin Auction (Heritage, 2/2008 as PCGS MS66), Lot 2563, realized $21,850 (Auction Record); Signature US Coin Auction (Heritage, 5/20089 as PCGS MS66, CAC), Lot 1689, realized $20,700. The Piedmont Numismatics Collection / The Regency 35 Auction (Legend 12/2019, as PCGS MS66, CAC), Lot 554, realized $21,737.50; Purchased in Private Transaction (Paradime Coins 12/2020)
1886 Half Eagle PCGS MS66+, CAC approved
PCGS POP 1/0, Sole Finest
Certification #04268951, PCGS #8369
PCGS Value Guide: $45,000 / unknown
Ex: The Piedmont Numismatics Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
My favorite Mint State Liberty nickel though is the 1888 monster toned specimen I won for JHF in Santa Clara at the Heritage auction in 2002 for the World Record price (at the time) of $21,850. That is the price it fetched after Laura finally dropped her padddle. When we sold the set at Stacks in June, 2012, I set the opening bid ($23,500) on this monster toned 1888 (Lot 2317) at right around (net) what JHF paid for the coin in 2002 and I wouldn’t be surprised if Laura grabbed it the second time around (especially with the CAC sticker although I always knew the toning was real). Anyone know where the coin is today?
WonderCoin posted the above.
I believe I own this coin. It is amazing and yes CAC. I purchased it from Laura seven years ago! A monster.
I would sell it to DLH if he would pay what I did! ☺
For the record from a few days ago. I sold the #1 Proof Liberty Nickel Set, all CAC to Laura who then sold it to
Forsythe. He in turn did not care about the CAC added non CAC coins to it enabling it to get even more points.
Barber Quarter Update
“Work in Progress” is the best way to describe the D.L. Hansen Collection of Barber Quarters. We have seen some past work on this set. In 2020, I provided a good summary of the Hansen Barber Quarter Collection when sharing updates from Srotag Collection of Barber Quarters. Also, Mr. Hansen purchased an extraordinary Gem 1896-S Barber Quarter from The D. Brent Pogue Collection Part VII: Masterpieces of United States Coinage Auction. In this sale, he purchased the 1854-S for $1,920,000, but maybe the biggest acquisition by number was the purchase of 12 Pogue Barber Quarters. The total for just the Barber Quarters purchase was $280,000. Slightly more than $23,000 per coin!
The Barber quarter series contains a plethora of rarities, as 28 different dates have a population of ten or less in MS65 or better condition! The set also contains the lowest mintage regular issue silver coin of the 20th century, the 1913-S. The challenge of this series is legendary, but many collectors have chosen to tackle it over the years, with rewarding results. Key dates of the series include the 1892-S, 1896-O, 1896-S, 1898-O, 1901-S, 1913-S, and many, many others. These comments are from the PCGS Registry. In this 74 piece set, the D.L. Hansen Collection is ranked third on the all-time leaderboard.
In the top position is a set of pure CAC coins registered to the RSD Collection. The set has been on the top for the past three years, after the retirement on the Mr. Perfection set. On May 2018, Mr. Perfection wrote: I sold this set. I never thought I would sell a set but it happened. The buyer had the majority of the top CAC coins that I would need to improve my set. He is a passionate quarter collector and I basically have been unable to improve my set much over the last few years. The combination of his top coins and mine will create an amazing, all CAC Barber quarter set that will never be beat. Sometimes when you sell something it makes you amenable to selling more. I would now consider selling a couple of other sets because it is very difficult to improve them. I have moved on to buying beautiful coins in any series. I am no longer constrained by looking for "set" coins. I have also been buying much more gold coins, many with great eye appeal. Good luck Mr. Buyer! My set took years to build and had many spectacular coins! Enjoy!. It appears the Mr. Buyer being described here is RSD.
The RSD set is closed to the public, but maybe a comparison can be made to the Perfection Set, if indeed a significance of the coins were used for upgrading. The Perfection set had 11 PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest graded specimens, with 17 additional tied for finest PCGS certified. Total was 28 of the 74 coins were PCGS Top Pops. The current Hansen set has eight PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest graded specimens, with 15 additional tied for finest PCGS certified. Total was 23 of the 74 coins are PCGS Top Pops. If that is not enough, the RSD set is 1.08 points better than the retired #2 Perfection set (unreal). With that perspective, it a little surprising that Mr. Hansen was able find a PCGS POP 1/0 specimen for sale.
1893 Barber Quarter Dollar MS67+
Expert Jaime Hernandez commented: The 1893 Barber Quarter has one of the higher mintages in the Barber Quarter series and many examples were saved. Therefore, it is one of the more common dates in the series. Examples up to about VF to XF condition are really common and very affordable that most collectors can afford them. In AU condition they begin to bring a significantly higher premium. In uncirculated MS60 to MS64 condition they are scarce. In MS65 they are very scarce. And in MS66 condition there are very few examples available. MS67 or higher condition they are extremely rare.
The coin was found in the Heritage February 2021 US Coins Signature Auction. It was headlined as: 1893 Quarter, MS67+, Single Finest at PCGS. There are three coins PCGS graded superb GEM MS67 with the Hansen coin being the sole finest MS67+. Heritage describes the coin as: Unlike the first-year 1892 issue, the second-year 1893 Barber quarter is not readily available in high grades and far fewer were saved overall. Despite a substantial mintage of 5.4 million pieces, this issue is a major condition rarity at the MS66 grade level, and just two coins at PCGS are graded in MS67. This MS67+ is the only one so-graded and represents the single finest example at that service (12/20). This Plus-graded Superb Gem exhibits sharply detailed design elements and impeccably preserved lustrous surfaces, with attractive, blue, gold, magenta, and sea-green toning. I do find the coin attractive although currently there is no CAC Approved sticker.
Heritage Auctions do not offer any hints for the provenance of the coin. Other than the description above, there was not much more discussion found on this Barber Quarter. This is a great upgrade, but this particular set could use a lot more help. I am not sure there are coins available that could get the Hansen Barber Quarters even close to the top. It appears to be an impossible task.
Provenance: US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage 2/2021), lot 3680, realized $18,600.
1893 Barber Quarter, MS67+
POP 1/0, Single Finest at PCGS
Certification #40866499, PCGS #5604
PCGS Price Value: $35,000 / Realized $18,600
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
@wondercoin See below.
I'd be surprised if more than three of these exist, and I doubt that many more than that were struck. I also wonder if it might actually be a pattern. Anyway, it's a great coin but way too obscure for most people.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Extending that logic, sets would be ranked by market value and only market value. Completion wouldn't matter. Consistency wouldn't matter. A collection of one single trophy coin could outrank a classy, extensive collection. There's a logic to that, but it would take something out of the game.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
It is very obscure for sure- I’ve never seen another one in person or at auction. However, the NGC Registry includes it in the Proof Morgan Dollar Set along with the 1921 Zerbe and Chapman proofs so I had to find one to complete the set 100%, and my set has been #1 for the last ten years or so
I remember seeing one in an Apostrophe sale back in the 80's and was very impressed. Assuming yours is the same piece, I've never seen another.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
It could be the same coin- the only previous owner I know for sure was Barry Chappell
I also apologize if I’m posting non-Hansen coins on the Hansen Watch thread and shouldn’t be- I’m new here and still learning the forum etiquette!
Do you want to sell to @DLHansen ?
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Mr. Duke,
I am OK with you posting anytime on the Hansen watch thread. It is very educational, which is one of the key components on the thread. There is nothing wrong with your etiquette.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Agree 100%.
Thank you!
Liberty Double Eagle Upgrade
I am guessing about 12 months have past since my last posting on The D. L. Hansen Collection of Liberty Double Eagles. As I have said before, the set can be described as incredible. The collection is PCGS All-Time Finest Set for Liberty Head $20 Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1850-1907). Our new friend and community member @gschwernk has assembled the 87% complete Schweck Collection set which is in the #2 current finest spot. The set range is VF25 to MS66. He made a comment here a few days ago: I recently returned to collecting after a 15-year absence. I've been working on this set for about 2 years. I finished most of the easy dates. Now its mostly a question of finding the coins I need and generating the funds to pay for them. This is an extremely difficult set even for a everyman set. I admire Mr. Schweck for completing 87%, and I hope he can push to 90%.
PCGS described the set as: Even though this series is filled with expensive rarities, this is a set that has been collected by many over the years. The 1861 Philadelphia issue with the Paquet reverse is the #1 rarity. Other classic dates include the 1854-O, 1856-O, 1870-CC, 1882 and several others. A complete set is one of the greatest challenges in all of numismatics! I am not sure how many times the set has been completed in pure circulating strikes. I know Eliasberg had a mixture, and probably all collectors before him. The registry does not have the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection as complete. Harry W. Bass has a complete set, but I have not confirmed it to be pure circulating strikes. It would be an interesting question to know.
This is not a Hansen set that we see a great deal of activity. I would contribute this to fact that Mr. Hansen purchased the fabulous set from the AWA Collection early on. @ColonelJessup wrote: the AWA Collection, named for Dr. Bill Crawford's three children, was sold to Mr. Hansen by @cnncoins in an 8-figure deal. I cannot confirm the accuracy of the statement, but I don’t doubt the Colonel knowledgeable comment. This could be the most Mr. Hansen has spent in a single purchase. Bloodman posted more than ten years ago on the AWA set: Incredible, spectacular, unbelievable…..The double eagles in the AWA Collection are truly amazing. The quality of the coins across the entire series is superb--many of the coins are finest known. As a twenty dollar gold collector, I can say the eye appeal is stunning. A few absolutely remarkable one-of-a-kind examples are ’59, ’60-S,’62, ‘62-S, ’66, ’68, ’80-S, 1902 and 1906-D. This may sound difficult to believe, but some of the coins appear to be under-graded, eg, ’51-O, ’52-O, ’56, ’73 CL3,’83-S, ’88-S, and 1906. The toning on the 1902 really complements the smooth surface. I really like the ’77-S. I have an example with a similar appearance, which almost glows in the dark. While it is not among the finest know, the 1867 Philly is quite attractive. Congratulations on the incredible set!
1881 Liberty Double Eagle MS62
The existing Hansen specimen being replaced is not bad coin. The 1881 Double Eagle coin that will move to Mr. Hansen’s #2 set is a MS60 POP 2/4, Cert # 81718071. The new PCGS POP 2/0 coin grades only two points better. Expert Ron Guth describes the 1881 as: Whether because of new discoveries over the years or improvements in the way coins are evaluated, there are now several low-end Uncs. available of the 1881 $20. None are choice, but at least collectors have a shot at competing for them. The best of these coins is a PCGS MS62 (which is quite possibly the Dallas Bank example). The price-record-setter for this date was a PCGS MS61 that sold for $152,750 in a 2014 Heritage sale. The PCGS MS62 that Mr. Guth is referencing, I do not believe to be the new Hansen specimen. When Ron Guth article was written, the Hansen coin was certified by NGC.
The coin appeared in Heritage August 2020 US Coins Signature Auction. The coin headlined as: 1881 Twenty Dollar, Important MS62, Tied for Finest Certified, Major Low-Mintage Rarity. At the time of the auction, PCGS had one coin graded sole finest and NGC had one, the new Hansen coin. Heritage confirmed by stating: We have had the privilege of offering some impressive Mint State 1881 double eagles in the past, but this is the first MS62 we have handled. Fewer than a dozen examples are certified in any Mint State by either service, and this coin is one of only two pieces certified MS62 by NGC and PCGS combined. None are certified finer. The 1881 is the first of several low-mintage Philadelphia double eagles from the 1880s. Among them, only the redoubtable 1882 (571 pieces struck) is rarer in circulation strike format, and that is by a slim margin.
Heritage further described the coin as: Today, the 1881 Philadelphia issue has its Mint State rarity well established. Finer pieces become less likely to surface with each passing year, and upward "grade creep" is less than might be expected for top-rated coins of this caliber. The 1881 has a reputation for bagmarks and abrasions -- the primary reason why no coins exceed the MS62 grade level. This piece shows some marks that dot the surfaces, although the partially prooflike fields are less busy than the other Uncirculated examples we have seen. A short mark above the ear, a shallow contact below the mouth, and a small depression on the cheek are noted. The neck truncation is unmarked except for a minor reeding mark that runs parallel to the curls. The strike is exceptionally sharp for an 1881 throughout both sides, and bright mint luster coruscates from every angle. Frosted, rich-gold devices contrast boldly with the reflective fields. Any advanced double eagle collection will benefit from this exceptional Philadelphia rarity, and Registry Set specialists are sure to take notice. There will be a high sense of anticipation when this 1881 twenty is called. The coin realized $138,000 as a MS62 NGC coin.
The coin certainly is not mark free, but I do not think we can find one that is. The coin was successfully crossed to PCGS after the Heritage August 2020 sale. Then, the coin made its way into the Hansen Collection via David Lawrence Rare Coins. There is not any additional information on pedigree. The coin is valued in the PCGS Price Guide at $190,000. The all-time auction record for any 1881 Double Eagle is $152,750 for a PCGS MS61 sold by Heritage in 2014.
Provenance: US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage 8/2020 as NGC MS62), Lot #4047, realized $138,000; Private Purchase (David Lawrence Rare Coins 3/2021), D.L. Hansen Collection.
1881 Liberty Double Eagle MS62
POP 2/0, Tied for Finest Certified by PCGS
Certification #41268234, PCGS #8994
PCGS Price Guide: $190,000 / unknown
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
No one knows who won the 1822, but it was not Hansen. Maybe an announcement will come out soon.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I personally tip my hat to Mr. Hansen. He obviously set a max bid on the coin, the coin exceeded it and he let it go. To me, that is a bigger sign of greatness for the future of his collection and tells me that he learned a great deal over the past few years since stepping into the coin biz. And, IMHO, this half eagle coin is entirely irrelevant to whether Mr. Hansen’s overall collection is viewed as “great” or not in the future.
Wondercoin
sign of greatness is to have great coins and nothing else.
In my opinion he missed his goal by not buying this coin. It was a must for him.
Anyways it will come up for sale again in the next 10 years, I doubt its in tight hands.
“I believe the 1822 5 was used by someone to put money away, to be protected from inflation and made from stocks.
If the value of your stock portfolio just increased from 200 million to 1 Billion in the last year, its easy to make such a purchase.
I personally dont think this way. I dont want to spend 10 million on anything I think it should be worth 5 - 6 million, and will be worth again this in future probably.
I was planing to bid on the 1822 5 too, I just dont see how its a 8.4 Million USD coin, meaning every other deal I saw I prefer over this one, including the 1804 ten, the Gem Brasher Doubloon and the PCGS 67 20 USD Paquet.
I rather would have the Gem Brasher Doubloon at 10 Million than this one at 8.4, actually the Brasher looks cheap now, like all other big coins that sold recently.”
“sign of greatness is to have great coins and nothing else.
In my opinion he missed his goal by not buying this coin. It was a must for him.
Anyways it will come up for sale again in the next 10 years, I doubt its in tight hands.”
Inconsistent positions by you when read together?
Wondercoin
Not inconsistent for me, because I dont need the 1822 5 to achieve a higher collecting goal.
Thanks for shout out. I purchased a 1859-O at the last Heritage sale and the 1858-O last night. I should get to 90% soon but it will be difficult going further. At some point in the future I will start a separate thread as suggested by other forum members to chronical this quest. Actually my name is Schwenk. There was a typo when I signed up for this forum.
That 1881 $20 is one of the nicest 62s I can remember what a gorgeous coin.
That’s a great form of encryption for you. :-)
Look forward to hearing about your set in detail.
@Currin
Thanks for the update on DL Hansen’s 1881 Liberty Double Eagle Upgrade. This is an incredibly difficult date to find in uncirculated condition and the new coin has nice eye appeal.
You mentioned in your post…”I know Eliasberg had a mixture, and probably all collectors before him. The registry does not have the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection as complete. Harry W. Bass has a complete set, but I have not confirmed it to be pure circulating strikes. It would be an interesting question to know.”
Harry Bass did indeed have a complete set of circulation strike Liberty double eagles. These were sold in several sales in 1999-2000. He had many incredible proof double eagles and patterns as well, but also had circulation strikes of all dates and major varieties, eg, 1854 Large Date, 1853/2, 1873 open and close 3. He had multiple examples of many dates in the series. While he had an 1861-S Paquet, he did not have one of the two Philly Paquet examples, which some consider a pattern, while others believe it was intended for circulation.
@Currin
Thanks for mentioning my comments about the AWA collection in your post…
"Bloodman posted more than ten years ago on the AWA set: Incredible, spectacular, unbelievable…..The double eagles in the AWA Collection are truly amazing. The quality of the coins across the entire series is superb--many of the coins are finest known. As a twenty dollar gold collector, I can say the eye appeal is stunning. A few absolutely remarkable one-of-a-kind examples are ’59, ’60-S,’62, ‘62-S, ’66, ’68, ’80-S, 1902 and 1906-D. This may sound difficult to believe, but some of the coins appear to be under-graded, eg, ’51-O, ’52-O, ’56, ’73 CL3,’83-S, ’88-S, and 1906. The toning on the 1902 really complements the smooth surface. I really like the ’77-S. I have an example with a similar appearance, which almost glows in the dark. While it is not among the finest know, the 1867 Philly is quite attractive. Congratulations on the incredible set!"
I remember writing that message more than 10 years ago after viewing and studying every coin in the AWA collection. One coin that stood out to me, which I mentioned, was the 1867 $20 MS61. The coin seemed to be somewhat out of place due it's relatively low grade. I suspect an MS63 could have been found over the years the AWA collection was assembled. However, while this 1867 had a lower assigned grade, it had incredible eye appeal with prooflike fields, minimal marks and devices with a subtle cameo appearance. I can understand why it was kept in the collection even with the modest MS61 grade.
Fast forward to after Hansen acquires the AWA collection and then upgrades the 1867 MS61 to the legendary Newman MS66 coin, which is 3 points higher than the next closest PCGS graded 1867 $20. In 2018, the MS61 1867 $20 becomes available along with other DL Hanson duplicates. Nine years after drooling over this example, I was able to purchase it! The pedigree is extensive for a relatively "common date" double eagle. It was in the DiBello collection which sold in 1970, where it was photographed in the catalog and described as a “Brilliant Uncirculated Gem” and “A premium coin with virtually immaculate surfaces.” It was purchased by Harry Bass, and remained in his collection until it was sold in 2000 in the landmark Bass sale.
The Bowers Merena auction description is copied below.
This marvelous example has fully reflective prooflike fields and highly lustrous devices; a delightful cameo. This issue is reasonably available in lower Mint State quality from some lower level Mint State coins found in Europe a few decades ago. The present coin is one of the very nicest we have ever handled and is far less “baggy” than normally seen. In fact, we consider it to be worth “MS-63 money” and go out on a limb by stating such.
The Trueview is shown below along with a few photos of the coin in the holder with the pedigree. While it is not the rarest or most expensive coin in my collection, it is one of my favorites especially with its prooflike surfaces.
Washington Silvers Update #1
New Leader in the All-Time Finest Registry Set
This has been an interesting series to watch the past couple years. Actually, the set registry has had a rich history for the past decade or more. There has been a nice little battle to watch between Dell Loy Hansen and the owner of the Washington Rainbow collection which I will refer to as Mr. WR. The battle between Mr. Hansen and Mr. WR really got serious with the Hansen purchase of several Washington Quarters from the Red’s Silver Collection. I discussed in a post on April 1, 2020 titled: “Updates from Red’s Silver Quarters”.
I wrote: The Hansen Collection upgraded 13 WQ coins. The basic set had nine upgrades and the Major Varieties set replaced four specimens. The Hansen’s Silver sets for both Basic and Major Varieties were already #1 All-Time. The Hansen Collection achieved this status September 2019. These upgrades make the best even better. Twelve of the upgrades are from the R. L. Redmond’s “Red’s Silver Sets”. He retired the #3 All-Time Basic Set, the #2 All-Time Classic Set, and the #5 All-Time Major Varieties Set. David Lawrence Rare Coins featured these Washington quarter sets in a Sunday Auction on March 22, 2020. The auction featured the Red's Silver Washington Quarter Collection. 123 beautiful, registry-quality Washington quarters are available for bidding, many of them with No Reserve…. Red’s Silver Washington Quarter Collection is currently ranked as the #2 PCGS Set Registry for Silver Washington Quarters with Major Varieties. This collection was painstakingly pieced together by a longtime collector who focused on quality and eye appeal with each and every coin. In fact, 95 of the individual coins have garnered the coveted CAC seal of Approval for quality. The highlights of the collection include numerous absolute Finest Graded examples from PCGS, and several key dates that are virtually impossible to improve upon in any way, shape or form. Quite a few of the coins in this collection also bear the pedigrees of royalty within the Washington Quarter collecting categories. Mr. Hansen was the successful bidder on at least 12 coins for his primary sets. He may have purchased more if he added any to his duplicate sets.
As stated, the Hansen Collection of Washington Quarters was all-time top set for several periods since September 2019, but never could maintain it. Mr. WR won the all-time best in the registry award for 2019 and 2020. As you know, this award is given for the best set at a certain period of time, June 30th, if I recall correctly. Well, Mr. Hansen regained that lead on 3/24 at 1:32 am. The was achieved with a purchase of a MS68 coin from Great Collections Auction. This occurred one day before the previous #1 registry set was offered in auction by StacksBowers.
The StacksBowers Washington Rainbow sale took place on the 3/25, and The D.L. Hansen Team purchased a nice lot containing five coins that improve his top set. I will discuss the Mr. WR set in a little more detail in a later posting. First let us look at the new coin from the Great Collection sale.
1935 Washington Quarter Dollar MS68
If the D.L. Hansen set can hold on to the lead in this series, this coin and purchase will be remembered as the piece that established first place. With the retirement of the Washington Rainbow set, there is a good possibility, at least in the short term that the Hansen set will remain the finest all-time. The existing coin, 1935 MS67+, Cert #32673401, POP 34/5 was bumped down to the #2 set. There are currently five 1935 MS68 in the PCGS POP Report with none graded finer. Two have been offered in auction the past week, one by Great Collections, and the other the Washington Rainbow coin in the StacksBowers Auction. The Washington Rainbow specimen realized $7,200 on 2/25/2021.
PCGS Expert David Hall describes the 1935 Quarter as: The 1935 is one of the higher mintage early date Washington quarters and it is readily available in all grades. For the pre-1940 Washingtons, only the 1939 is easier to obtain in Gem MS65 condition. In Gem condition, the 1935 is about equal in rarity to the 1936. Strike is not a problem and luster can often be spectacular. As you can see, this is a rather common coin. In fact, in the PCGS Rarity and Survival Estimates, the number given for GEM MS65 or better is 15,000. Currently PCGS values the coin at $20,000, but I would except the figure to come down in the next publication. In fact, the fifth specimen was just added to the pop report a couple days ago.
There is a large group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates 191 entries, with 34 as being MS67+. This sets the stage for several more MS68 upgrades in the future. Up to the past few days, no 1935 MS68 Washington Quarter has ever appeared in auction. Then two appeared, with the Great Collection coin being the first. I have not been able to trace Hansen coin to earlier auctions with lower grades. The Hansen coin was hammered at $7,750 and with buyer’s fees, the coin realized $8,718.75. The coin realized about a 20% premium when compared to the WR coin sold by StacksBowers.
In the past few weeks, we have seen three Hansen basic registry sets move to the top of the leaderboard. First with the purchase of the Linda Gail Franklins, then purchase on the Gerald Forsythe Collection of PCGS Liberty Head Nickels, and the next day or two, we will see the coins purchased from the Washington Rainbow Collection. We have seen some interesting moves made in this exciting collection just in the past couple days. It is certainly fun to watch especially being the cost to watch is free.
Provenance: Online Auction (GreatCollections 3/2021), Item ID: 896237, realized $8,718.75; D.L. Hansen Collection.
1935 Washington Quarter Dollar MS68
PCGS POP 5/0
Certification #41426230, PCGS #5797
PCGS Price Guide $20,000 / Realized $8,718.75
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
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For very obvious reason, I do not have the opportunity to share the Liberty Double Eagle set very often. When posting the latest Hansen Upgrade, I want to share some information on the beauty and rarity captured by the AWA collector in his 20 plus year pursuit. To my regret, I was not able to find much written by the experts like Doug Winters, Ron Guth, and their peers. I then stumbled upon your posting which was prefect for what I was looking for. I could tell it was written by someone with a deep interest and knowledge in the Liberty Double Eagles. Thanks for sharing that ten years ago and which allowed me to share it present day. .
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The MS61 is certainly am overachiever for the graded. In looking at your timeline, I know Mr. Hansen had his collection reevaluated by PCGS in October 2019. You may be aware that in the past few years, PCGS now evaluated gold coins for the PL designation. You purchased the coin prior to Hansen efforts in 2019. I am not sure if you considered having the coin evaluated for the PL designation or not. I think it could be the perfect coin, because I don’t think anyone can ever find another 1867 MS61 even close to the coin you own.
Lastly, is your set in the Registry? It would be a great set to share. Thanks again and enjoy your collection of Liberty Double Eagles.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
About Liberty double eagles, it has been said, a complete set is one of the greatest challenges in all of numismatics. There are so many tough/expensive dates, but it goes beyond that. Finding coins in this series with minimal marks, original surfaces and nice eye appeal adds another element making the challenge exponentially more difficult. For the common dates, like a majority of the type 3s, I prefer examples with prooflike surfaces for an even greater challenge. Examples, with PL surfaces represent less than 1% of the graded populations at NGC and PCGS. I am happy that PCGS is now designating all deserving coins as prooflike, though at this time I don't plan to attempt crossing over the PL coins in my collection, though I may in the future.
@Currin Thanks for all of your efforts providing updates in this thread. It is always interesting to read each of your posts.
Washington Silvers Update #2
Stacks Bowers Auction recently announced: The Magnificent Washington Rainbows Collection Featured in our March 2021 Las Vegas Auction.
The sale took place the Thursday afternoon, 3/25. They described the set as: We are thrilled to feature the Washington Rainbows Collection in our March 2021 Las Vegas Auction, our first Showcase event for Americana and United States coins and paper money of the year. It is the all-Time Finest PCGS Registry Set of Silver Washington Quarters 1932-1964, and was assembled with a focus on exceptional toning. The collection represents the very pinnacle of quality for this series, combining both incredible eye appeal and unsurpassed preservation. Nearly every one of the 83 coins therein ranks at the top of the PCGS Population Report, and many reflect the sole finest known specimens. A plethora of CAC stickers emphasizes the truly superior quality of the Washington Rainbows Collection. The iconic 1932-D and 1932-S key-dates are represented by MS-66 (PCGS) examples; none have been graded finer for either issue. An astounding 26 coins have been awarded grades of MS-68 or MS-68+ by PCGS, including the vibrantly toned 1948 which ranks as the sole finest at MS-68+ (PCGS) CAC. The 1937-D, 1953-D and 1964 are particularly noteworthy for their spectacular color and have been graded MS-67+ by PCGS; the 1953-D has also been approval by CAC. Each individual coin is a treasure, and they come together to create an astounding and unprecedented single collection.
Of the 83 coins offered, only ten coins could improve that D.L. Hansen set. Seven of them were PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest, and three were POP 2/0 specimens. According to registry updates, the Hansen team purchase eight of the ten coins (update from last posting indicating five). Also, they purchased four or five for the #2 set, with total purchase of maybe a 12-15 give or take a couple. I roughly figure the purchase to be somewhere around $150,000 or a little more. The Hansen team was not successful in two coins that I can confirm by registry updates.
Of the seven sole finest, Mr. Hansen purchased five with the other two being purchased by a CAC registry collector. These are the results from Hansen top set purchases and the other two sole finest coins. I included the remarks for the Stack’s Bowers descriptions.
Eight Coins that Mr. Hansen Purchase for #1 Set:
Lot #2295 - 1940-S, MS68, POP 2/0, realized $10,200, Phenomenal.
Lot #2309 - 1945-D, MS68, POP 1/0, realized $20,400, Breathtakingly Beautiful.
Lot #2314 – 1947, MS68, CAC, POP 1/0, realized $32,400, Enchanting.
Lot $2324 – 1950-S, MS68, CAC, POP 2/0, realized $19,800, Top-Pop with Vivid Toning.
Lot #2334 – 1954, MS68 , POP 2/0, realized $9,000, Exceptionally Vivid Toning.
Lot #2336 - 1954-S, MS68, POP 1/0, realized $12,000, Top-of-the-Pop.
Lot #2342 - 1957-D, MS68, CAC, POP 1/0, realized $11,400, Spectacular Top Pop.
Lot #2356 - 1964-D, MS68, CAC, POP 1/0, realized $38,400, Exquisitely Toned.
Two Coins purchased by CAC Registry Set – Escalante Collection:
Lot # 2284 - 1936-S, MS68, CAC, 1/0, realized $31,200, Finest PCGS (Hansen Specimen MS67+)
Lot #2317 – 1948, MS68+, CAC, 1/0, realized $43,200, Intensely Vivid, (Hansen Specimen MS67+)
The 1948, MS68+, CAC, 1/0, went into a CAC Registry set named Escalante. There are only two Washington Silver Quarters that have been certified MS68+. They are the 1948 Rainbow/Escalante specimen and a 1941 which appear to be the David Poole Specimen that last sold in Heritage’s January 2013 US Coin FUN Signature Auction in Orlando. At the time of the sale, the coin was certified MS68. It was CAC Approved in the MS68 holder. The current location of that coin is not known to me. The Washington Top Pops are very fluid at this time. I talked with my Washington specialist friend, and he indicated we may see some slowing down on grade inflation but may too early to tell for sure. Therefore, I am not confident the shelf life of these POP 1/0 sole finest specimens will to be very long.
Of the eight coins purchased from the Washington Rainbows Collection, Stack’s Bowers Auctions provided very appealing descriptions for all of them. They called the 1947 MS68 as being “Enchanting”. I will use this coin as the feature for today.
1947 Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68, Ex: Washington Rainbows Collection
This PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest specimen is consider a rare coin from the “absolute sense”, but it is exceedingly rare for MS68 PCGS, only one. Expert David Hall wrote: The 1947 is the rarest of the three 1947 issues. Gems are not rare in the absolute sense, but they are more difficult to locate than Gems of the 1947-D and 1947-S. PCGS rarity and survival estimate is 12,000 for GEM MS65 or better.
There is a large group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates 161 entries, with 27 as being MS67+, and this specimen the sole MS68. With the MS67+ Pop at 27, the stage is set for several more MS68 upgrades in the future. Before the Stacks Bowers Sale, no 1947 MS68 Washington Quarter has ever appeared in auction. The previous auction record was $4,406 for a MS67+ in a Heritage Auctions held on 07-11-2013. This was for a PCSG MS67+ specimen that is currently in The Buckeye Collection (Registry Set). Naturally, the Hansen / Rainbows MS68, CAC Approved, POP 1/0 sole finest crushed the previous record.
In the Stacks Bowers Auction, the coin was headlined as: ”Enchanting 1947 Quarter, MS-68 (PCGS), CAC” In the long description, SBG added: Halos of lovely pinkish-apricot and champagne-gold iridescence ring the peripheries and frame essentially brilliant centers. This is a beautiful coin, and also an exceptionally well preserved one that ranks as the single finest-certified 1947 quarter at PCGS. Extraordinary quality and eye appeal for the advanced Set Registry collector. As you will see in the image, the coin has less of the vivid toning than is seen with most of Rainbows Specimens.
The 1947 MS67+ coin has appeared in auction 13 times since 2013. I was not able to confirm if the new Hansen coin appeared in any of these auctions as a MS67+. In Heritage’s July 2013 US Coins Signature Auction in Orlando, the previous auction record MS67+ coin came with a Heritage statement Only Two at PCGS. What difference seven or eight years make. This make me wonder how inflated the 27 MS67+ number is. It also makes me wonder how many times the 1947 MS68 coin was submitted before receiving the MS68 grade.
As you have seen in today’s discussion, the D.L Hansen Collection has the top set of PCGS Washington Silver Quarter Dollars. If Mr. Hansen purchased eight coins from the Washington Rainbows Collection to improve and update his top registry set, then mission accomplished. As I have been stating in posting from the past few weeks, in this mega collection, it can be hard to realize how significant eight coins can be. After all, the Hall of Fame basic set requires 3741, so can eight coins make any difference? In GPA, I would say not much. I know I am repeating myself from a previous posting, but as an historic accomplishment, improving these series to all-time greatest is very significant for the bigger picture. I will plan to discuss this big picture in a little more in depth in the next and last Washington Silver Quarters update.
Provenance: Washington Rainbows Collection (Stacks Bowers 3/2021), Lot #2314, realized $32,400; D.L. Hansen Collection.
1947 Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68
PCGS POP 1/0, CAC Approved
Certification 37491242, PCGS #5833
PCGS Price Guide unknown / Realized $32,400
Ex: Washington Rainbows Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Washington Silvers Update #3
With the posting today, we will wrap up the Washington Silver Quarter Dollars discussion and Washington Rainbows Collection of PCGS Quarter Dollars. The Rainbow collector has been around the Washington Quarter registry for almost two decades. This collector’s first set was named Manofcoins PCGS Collection that was retired in 2006. The second PCGS set was retired last week, and the coins were sold in the Stacks Bowers sale. As I have said before, I hope we are not reaching the end of an era for this very distinguished Washington Quarter Dollar Registry Collector. He has been active member of the forum and has posted on this thread. Maybe he can share some thoughts on the sale, and future goals and plans.
This purchase brings most of the top PCGS graded coins into the D.L. Hansen set. There are a few more that could improve the set but not many. For the record, the registry set shows seventeen coins that can be replaced. Of those seventeen, Hansen have three top pop coins in his second set, 1937-S MS67+ Pop 7/0, 1949 MS68 POP 3/0, and 1955 MS67 POP 5/0. It appears some cleanup work is needed. Also, the registry set indicates there is a sole 1964 better than the MS67+ in the Hansen set. I do not believe the coin exist and there is an error in the registry. There is not a coin for 1964 MS68 in the PCGS Population Report. This means only twelve of the 83 coins on the Hansen Collection can be upgraded, with eleven having PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens. This is the breakdown for remaining eleven non-Hansen sole finest:
There are five PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest in the Escalate Registry (1932 MS67+, 1936-S MS68, 1945-S MS68, 1947-D MS68, and 1948 MS68+)
There are two PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest in other registry sets (1943-S MS68 in Don Murphy Set and 1956 MS68 in High Desert set)
There are four PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest specimens that is not in the registry (1939-D MS68, 1941 MS68+, 1953-D MS68, and 1963-D MS68). Are these four coins in stock inventory, unpublished sets, being hoarded? I am not sure.
This leaves only three other coins in the D.L. Hansen Collection which is eligible for upgrade that does not required the purchase of the sole finest specimen.
1941 25C MS67+, CAC, Certification #25205204, PCGS POP 32/2, two PCGS certified finer.
1. MS68, Certification unknow, POP 1/1 current location unknown (may not exist).
2. Sole finest MS68+ previously mentioned location unknown.
1948 25C MS67+, CAC, Certification #33229116, POP 33/3, three PCGS certified finer.
1. MS68, Certification #21072746, POP 2/1 currently resides in the Wondercoin Collection.
2. MS68, Certification #Unknown, POP 2/1 current location unknown.
3. Sole finest MS68+ previously mentioned in the Escalate (Registry Set)
1951-S 25C MS67+, CAC, Certification #36066688, POP 45/3, three PCGS certified finer.
1. MS68, Certification #39827534, POP 3/0 currently resides in the Escalate Collection.
2. MS68, Certification #18368639, POP 3/0 currently resides in the Wondercoin Collection.
3. MS68, Certification ##Unknown, POP 3/0 current location unknown.
There are 248,928 registered Washington Silver Quarters listed in the PCGS Population Report. Some of them may be invalided due to resubmits, but still there is probably at least 200,000 or more. Out of all the coins, if I exclude coins in registry sets, there are only seven specimens unaccounted for that can upgrade Hansen’s set.
The wild card set in the series is the Hall of Fame Wondercoin set. Without replacing a coin, the set has made its way back to the second spot in the current registry. What is unique about this set, it is one of the few survivor sets. At the time of the HOF award in 2012, this set had 20 sole finest POP 1/0 specimens and countless number of tied for finest certified. PCGS described the set as: While a complete date and mintmark set of Washington Quarters in 67.18 is tough enough, when you add in the five Double Die Obverses and the two 1950 over-mintmarks, the task becomes immeasurably tougher. Replete with “finest knowns” Mitch’s effort is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. Congratulations on a third Gold Star award and PCGS Set Registry Hall of Fame induction! This set has been packed away practically untouched for almost a decade. I talked with Mitch Spivack about his set, and he said he has no current plans. I wonder (no pun) what this set would grade with the current PCGS grading standards. It will be interesting to watch and see if Mitch decides to do anything with this set. Could it become an instant #1 set again?
The significance of this purchase of eight specimens from Washington Rainbows PCGS Registry Set
I mentioned a few days ago that I will have a brief discussion on significance of the purchase. I wrote: The D.L Hansen Collection has the top set of PCGS Washington Silver Quarter Dollars. If Mr. Hansen purchased eight coins from the Washington Rainbows Collection to improve and update his top registry set, then mission accomplished. As I have been stating in posting from the past few weeks, in this mega collection, it can be hard to realize how significant eight coins can be. After all, the Hall of Fame basic set requires 3741, so can eight coins make any difference? In GPA, I would say not much. I know I am repeating myself from a previous posting, but as an historic accomplishment, improving these series to all-time greatest is very significant for the bigger picture. As with purchase of the Linda Gail Franklins, the Forsythe Nickels, and now the Washington Rainbows Quarters, we are seeing one of the best 20th Century Collection of coins being built before our eyes. For a couple postings, I showed you a closer look by denomination (or groups) and then even more granular by series (Registry sets). Let us look at how the Quarter Dollars are shaping up overall.
This is a close look at the Quarter Dollar Basic Collection. As result, I broke out 667 coins of the 3741-piece Hall of Fame set to form the Quarter Dollar Collection. Then let us take a deeper look at this 667-piece collection. I broke the Quarters into eight basic series that represent the Quarter Dollars from 1796 to present. I hope this gives you a better feel of just what has materialized with the 8-coin Washington Rainbows purchase. For Quarters, the Hansen Collection current has the all-time finest sets in two of the series. Six of the Quarter Dollar series are in the top five all-time. Surprisingly to me, the Standing Liberty is the lowest ranking set. The all-time best registry set is “Hall of Fame - Just having fun!” set that retired almost a decade ago. A set by The Ohio Collector is the current #1 Set and has held the lead since the HOF JHF retired. The two sets have been dominating for almost 20 years. Dr. Charles Link and Brett Pogue have the top sets for the two early series. For Quarter Dollars, The D.L. Hansen Collection now have two top sets, two in second place in the registry, and two in third place. Will we be seeing anymore retirement from the top sets. Only time will tell for sure. As for now, let us look at one of the recent purchases from the Washington Rainbows Collection.
1964-D Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68, Ex: Washington Rainbows Collection
This is the last Washington Quarter Dollar in the series. Also, it was the most Mr. Hansen paid for a purchase in the Washington Rainbows sale. This is not the most expensive coin the Hansen Washington Collection, that honor goes to the 1932-D and 1932-S. I would say the new 1964-D Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68 is certainly in the top five of this 83-coin set. PCGS Expert David Hall commented: The mintage of 704 million coins for the 1964-D is by far the largest of the 1932-1964 silver Washington quarter series. Only the mintage of the 1964 is even remotely close. In fact, except for the 1964, the mintage of the 1964-D is more than five times that of its nearest rival (the 1963-D at 135 million). Still, the 1964-D is less common in Gem condition than several of the S Mints of the 1940s and 1950s. Though a lot of coins were made in 1964, they apparently weren't made and/or handled very carefully. It is interesting that one of the largest production of coins, is now one of the rarest in high grades.
There is not a lack of GEMs to meet the collector’s needs. According to PCGS rarity and survival estimates, the number of MS65 and over is 11,000. There is over 1100 MS65 graded by PCGS alone. Relative to other dates, there is not as large of a group of PCGS MS67 specimens. The PCGS Population Report indicates 94 MS67s, with only 20 graded MS67+. Naturally, the new Hansen Specimen is the sole MS68 by PCGS. The MS68 appeared in auction once before.
In Legend’s Regency 32 Auction in May 2019, the coin appeared for the first time. The legend auctioneer described the coins as: Washington quarter Registry Set collectors have a UNIQUE opportunity here! Presented is the SOLE FINEST PCGS GRADED 1964-D quarter, and it is a marvelously toned SUPERB GEM! Everything about this coin screams out to the viewer, its exceptional visual allure captivates the eye. Classic mint set hues blend on both PRISTINE sides, its variegated colors amplified by a bold, radiating mint luster. Sunset orange, rich violet, emerald, olive green, and rose patina come to life while rotated in a light. Even with a strong glass, this coin looks essentially PERFECT with no marks or lines detected anywhere. The coin is the sole finest at least up to now. At the time of the Legend Auction, PCGS has not placed a valuation on the coin. PCGS has not listed a value for the date in MS68, but for the type, Collector's Universe lists a generic value of $5,250 in MS68. As the sole finest example for the date, we know that anyone working on the #1 PCGS Registry Set of Washington Quarters needs this coin! With the recent results of Pop Top and finest known coins off the charts, we know this coin will shatter records. The record holder for the date was for an MS67 sold in March 2010 for $6,900. Bound to see fierce bidding. The coin did shattered the auction record as predicted. The coin realized $27,025.
We can assume Washington Rainbows was the guy “working on the #1 PCGS Registry Set of Washington Quarters”. If he purchased the coin in the Legend’s sale, then he was able to make a nice profit when sold last week in the Stacks Bowers sale. The coin was headlined as: Single Finest PCGS-Certified 1964-D Quarter, Exquisitely Toned PCGS/CAC MS-68. SBG described the coin as: Vivid multicolored toning has a slightly mottled distribution over both sides of this frosty and essentially pristine example. Shades of orange-copper, salmon-pink, sea-green and antique gold are all in evidence -- very attractive. At 704,135,528 coins struck, the 1964-D has the highest mintage in the Washington quarter series up to that point in time. Superb Gems are surprisingly scarce, however, and in PCGS MS-68 the present example is the finest certified and represents awe-inspiring quality for this otherwise readily obtainable issue. Phenomenal! The CAC Approved coin realized $38,400 which is considerable more than the PCGS Price Guide value of $30,000.
Provenance: Regency 32 Auction 32 (Legend 5/2019) lot 412, realized $27,025; The Washington Rainbows Collection (Stacks Bowers 3/2021), lot 2356, realized $38,400; D.L, Hansen Collection.
1964-D Washington Quarter Dollar, MS68
PCGS POP 1/0, CAC Approved
Certification #37717355, PCGS #5877
PCGS Price Guide $30,000 / Realized $38,400
Ex: Washington Rainbows Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Exceedingly Rare Proof Half Dollar
Exceedingly Rare is how Heritage described the O-121, Rarity-7+ as a Proof, Square Base 2, 1827 Half Dollar. After spending a few weeks in Liberty Nickels, Franklinton Half dollars, and Washington Quarters, it feels good getting back to an old early issue. Can it get much better than a proof half dollar? PCGS does have a set that represents these coins. The set is Capped Bust Half Dollars Basic Set, Proof (1817-1839). The set only requires 24-coins. No big deal, right? This is the description PCGS gives the set: This is an extremely rare and difficult set to complete. In fact, completion during one's lifetime might be nearly impossible. The 1817 and 1819 have a mintage of 2 each. No coin in the set has a mintage over 20 and most have mintages under 10. Completion of this set would put the owner in the Numismatic Hall of Fame. There is that phase “Exceedingly Rare” again.
I have not researched this series as much as I would like to. None of the greats like Eliasberg or Norweb have sets listed in registry. We know they had a few of these coins, but we do not know how many. Even Brett Pogue had a small collection. In today’s registry, there are only four playing in the pool. The best, long-term collection belongs to Dr. Charles Link. His collection is 70.83% complete, which translated to having 17 of the 24 required coins. The other three collections are Duke, Coinbert, and DL Hansen. If you combine the last three sets, they will total 17 coins, the same as Dr. Link. This will be an interesting set to watch in the coming years. Yes, years. It took Mr. Link more than twenty years to make the progress that he has.
Unlike many coins in the set, the 1827 is one that all four of the current registry collectors can have a representative. After all, there are seven known specimens! Why do these coins exist? In the March 2021 Stacks Bowers sale, this theory was offered: American collectors of rare coins were few in 1827, but they were not non-existent. The fable of Joseph J. Mickley acquiring four newly struck Proof quarters at the United States Mint in 1827, along with the fictional corollary that he must likewise be the source of other Proof 1827 coins, invents a falsehood and at the same time masks a truth. Mickley had a number of contemporaries who would have desired and avidly collected Proof coinage struck this year. He was not the first person to care, nor was he alone in his interest in such things. Some of the names are familiar to modern scholars, people like Dr. James Mease, Matthew Stickney, and Robert Gilmor, Jr., while others are obscure or unknown altogether. As rare as Proof coins from the 1820s are, a piece like this need not have been a presentation coin struck for a VIP or an experiment by Mint personnel to see just how perfect a coin they could strike. It could easily have been made to order for a pioneering American collector.
The true reason the coins were produced may never be known for certain. The auctioneer continued by adding: Produced as they were for presentation or other official purposes, or on a made-to-order basis for contemporary collectors, it is little wonder that Proof half dollars were struck in very limited numbers during the 1820s. In all instances the exact mintages are unknown since the United States Mint did not start recording the number of Proof gold and silver coins struck until 1859 (it did not follow suit for minor coinage until 1878). Even the number of coins extant for these rare and special issues is a matter of debate, as many coins that have been labelled as Proofs by earlier generations of numismatists no longer qualify as such by today's strict standards. After almost 200 years, there are only seven positively confirmed as Proofs specimens verified. The total list based on the recent Stacks Bowers sale:
1. Eliasberg – Pogue Specimen, PCGS Proof-67. Ex S.H. and H. Chapman's sale of the George H. Earle Collection, June 1912, lot 2927; John H. Clapp; Clapp estate, 1942; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, April 1997, lot 1831; Heritage's FUN Signature Auction of January 2004, lot 2078; Ira & Larry Goldberg's Pre-Long Beach Sale of February 2006, lot 1468; D. Brent Pogue; our (in association with Sotheby's) sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part III, February 2016, lot 3062.
2. Norweb – Duke (Registry Set) Specimen, PCGS Proof-66 Cameo. Ex W. Elliott Woodward's sale of the Joseph J. Mickley Collection, October 1867, lot 1706; "Reakert" or Reakirt family; Columbus Stamp & Coin Co.'s dispersal of the Reakirt Collection, 1962; Mrs. R. Henry Norweb; our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Norweb Collection, Part III, November 1988, lot 3088; our (Bowers and Merena's) Stetson University Collection sale, May 1993, lot 293.
3. O’Neil - Link (Registry Set) Specimen, PCGS Proof-66. Ex our (Stack's) session of Auction '83, July 1983, lot 690; Superior's sale of the A. Bernard Shore Collection, January 1988, lot 1768; David W. Akers' session of Auction '90, August 1990, lot 1599; RARCOA and David W. Akers' Chicago Sale, August 1991, lot 532; Heritage's Chicago Signature Auction of August 2011, lot 7157; Heritage's FUN Signature Auction of January 2013, lot 5633; Jim O'Neal; Heritage's sale of the Jim O'Neal Collection of Proof Type Half Dollars, August 2018 ANA Signature Auction, lot 5142.
4 – Unique Overton-107 Specimen. PCGS Proof-64. Ex Lester Merkin's Public Auction Sale of September 1967), lot 255; Heritage's Milwaukee Signature Auction of August 2007, lot 1682.
5. NGC Specimen - Proof-64. Ex Heritage's Exclusively Internet Auction of June 2001, lot 2309; Heritage's Santa Clara Signature Auction of November 2001, lot 5883. The Proof-65 Cameo grading event currently listed on the NGC Census may represent a more recent submission of this coin.
6. Noblesse – Hansen (Registry Set) Specimen, PCGS Proof-63 Ex Noblesse Collection, obtained by a European noble while visiting the United States in the middle 19th century and retained therein by the same family until consigned to the following auction; Noblesse Collection / Long Beach Signature (Heritage 9/2013 as PR62 NGC), lot 6432, realized $21,150; CSNS Signature (Heritage 4/2017 as PR62 NGC), lot 4047, realized $25,874.68; Rarities Night (Stacks Bowers, 3/2021 as PR63 PCGS), lot 4099, realized $55,200, D.L. Hansen Collection.
7. Coinbert (Registry Set) Specimen, PCGS Proof-63. Coinbert Collection, per PCGS CoinFacts.
This purchase places the D.L. Hansen Collection at 25% complete for this 24-piece collection. The 1829 PR65 Cert #28748307 is CAC Approved, POP 1/0, finest certified by PCGS from the Norweb Collection. The 1832 PR65 Cert #83224897 is tied with one other from PCGS for finest. Also, this coin is the finest of only two O-106 Proofs. Overall, as many as nine 1832 Proof Half Dollars have been confirmed. At only 25%, and many of the tougher dates are still to come, the D.L. Hansen still have a way to go.
1827 Capped Bust Half Dollar. O-121, Square Base 2. Proof-63, Extremely Rare, Ex: Noblesse
The coin was purchased in Stacks Bowers, March 2021 Rarities Night Auction. SBG auctioneer described the listing as: A phenomenal rarity, as are all United States Mint Proof coins from the 1820s, this lovely 1827 Capped Bust half dollar boasts quality and appeal far in excess of what may be conveyed simply by the Proof-63 numeric grade. It is a wonderfully toned specimen with subtle gold, powder blue and champagne-pink undertones to warm olive and pearl-gray patina. The fields are modestly reflective, a feature best appreciated with the aid of direct lighting, and the strike is impressively sharp from the denticulated borders to the central high points. Indeed, most design elements are fully defined. There are no sizeable handling marks, the in-hand appearance smooth overall, and the only useful identifier we can offer is a tiny planchet drift mark (as made) at the base of Liberty's neck.
Story told on this coin: Numismatists were far more plentiful in Europe in the 1820s than they were in the United States, where the hobby already enjoyed a rich history and eager following, especially among the nobility. And it was a European noble, in fact, who acquired this coin while visiting the United States during the 19th century, no doubt impressed by the technical triumph in metal that the Philadelphia Mint was already able to achieve despite its youth when compared to the great coinage facilities of Europe.
I believe this was a good pickup for Hansen. Will he someday upgrade? Maybe, especially if top two or three specimens were to come available. The Overton-107 specimen would be interesting if it became available just from the fact of its uniqueness. For now, Mr. Hansen has acquired his sixth coin for the difficult set. This coin realized $55,200 with no PCGS Price Guide Value available.
Provenance: Noblesse Collection / Long Beach Signature (Heritage 9/2013 as PR62 NGC), lot 6432, realized $21,150; CSNS Signature (Heritage 4/2017 as PR62 NGC), lot 4047, realized $25,874.68; Rarities Night (Stacks Bowers, 3/2021 as PR63 PCGS), lot 4099, realized $55,200, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1827 Capped Bust Half Dollar. O-121, Square Base 2. Proof-63
PCGS POP 2/3, Extremely Rare with Seven Known
Certification #84145796, PCGS #6205
PCGS Price Guide Value: unknown / Realized $55,200
Ex: Noblesse Collection, Dr. Charles Link Collection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Liberty Head Half Eagle Upgrade
This is an update for a nice half eagle upgrade. In doing so, I thought it would be a good time to focus a little on the New Orleans Half Eagles. The set consist of only 16 coins. The set has an inconsistent date run of Liberty Head Half Eagles from 1840 to 1894. The last date in which Half Eagle were produced at New Orleans before the Civil war was 1857. The next Half Eagle would not be produced in New Orleans until 1892, then halting again in 1894. Only one Indian Head Half Eagle was produced, dated 1909-O.
Naturally, the Hansen set is complete and ranks #1 in the registry. The set has five dates graded finest by PCGS with three as PCGS POP 1/0 sole finest, 1844-O, 1854-O, 1893-O. The new upgrade is a POP 3/0. The highlight of this short set is the 1909-D Indian Head Half Eagle, MS64+, CAC, POP 1/4. The coin is valued in the PCGS Price Guide at $265,000. The coin was purchased from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part III Sale in January of this year. Probably the best Liberty Head New Orleans Half Eagle is the 1844-O GEM MS65. I believe the coin is an ex: ex-Miles / Bass Specimen, but I have not confirmed. I say this because the Miles / Bass is the only GEM specimen that exist.
The set grade range is from the 1842-O AU53 to the 1844-O MS65, except for one outlier, 1847-O VF25. It is hard to believe after almost five years, the Hansen Team has not had a better specimen offered. With only one specimen graded mint state, a sole MS61, maybe there is valid reason. No grade VF 45 or better have appeared in auction in the last five years. With a nice replacement of the 1847-O VF25, there should be large jump in GPA.
Let us talk about the new upgrade. The 1846-O coin was purchased in a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction.
1846-O Liberty Head Half Eagle, MS62
The coin was purchased to replace an AU58, POP 11/8 Hansen Branded Specimen. I believe the coin was purchased in Heritage June 2017, Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction. The specimen realized $7,638. Expert David Akers comments: The 1846-O is comparable in overall rarity to the 1845-O and the two varieties of the 1843-O. It is far more rare than the relatively common 1844-O. Most known specimens grade no better than VF or EF, and I have seen only one uncirculated example. The date is underrated and undervalued in all grades, and is really just about as rare as the 1846-C, and certainly more rare, particularly in high grade, than the 1846-D. The number of uncirculated examples have increased since this writing. According to PCGS Rarity and Survival Estimates, there is possibly six, with none grading MS65 or better. In the PCGS Pop Report, there is one MS60, three are MS61, and three are MS62. I think these seven totals have at least a couple resubmits. The Eliasberg /Midas specimen was at one time in a MS63 NGC holder. That coin could be the finest known specimen.
The new Hansen Specimen was offered in a David Lawrence Rare Coin Internet #1154 Auction in January 2021. I have been aware of this coin for the past few weeks but has not been able to report due to other Hansen purchases. The coin was offered in an Old Green Holder. DLRC described the coin as: This rare Mint State survivor from an original mintage of just 58,000 pieces. This gorgeous specimen is tied for finest known PCGS example of this challenging O-Mint issue. Sharp to fully struck throughout, the design elements standout beautifully against distraction free fields. Traces of reflectivity enhance the rich golden surfaces and create fantastic eye appeal. A stunning and nearly unrivaled piece! This coin has an interesting provenance as it appeared out of an old-time collection at a coin shop in Louisiana in the past 3 months. It proceeded to trade hands on a wholesale basis to a local dealer in the area before it arrived on DLRC's doorstep. A truly unique piece that should be considered for an upgrade at PCGS!
If the coin could be considered for upgrade, then it could become a sole finest graded by PCGS (and tie with the MS63 NGC). As for CAC Approved, I can not confirm if the coin has been evaluated. PCGS placed the Price Guide Value at $22,500. The coin must have generated some interest from other collectors as well as Mr. Hansen because the coin realized $45,000. That is twice the guidebook value! This is certainly an all-time auction record for the half eagle. Being PCGS have not had this coin in hand in the last 20-25 years, naturally there is not TrueView image. DLRC produced an image for their website that I will share. This was a nice upgrade for the D.L. Hansen Collection.
Provenance: Old-Time Louisiana Collection, Internet #1154 Auction (DLRC 1/2021), Inventory #2216944, realized $45,000 (Auction Record), D.L. Hansen Collection.
1846-O Liberty Head Half Eagle, MS62
PCGS POP 3/0, Old Green Holder
Certification #06548264, PCGS #8230
PCGS Value Guide: $22,500 / realized $45,000
Image from DLRC website
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
@Currin - Will Mr. Hansen keep the 1846-O Half Eagle in the Old Green Holder? Or will he try for an upgrade?
I think I would keep it in the OGH.
I think he will at some point. The past process was a branding, reevaluation and TrueView exercise by PCGS. The last event occurred in Fall 2019 and approx. 6000 coins were processed. This was a one week process. I don’t know when the next one will be planned. Being the coin is accepted into the PCGS sets, I don’t see a short term desire. As you may have heard John Brush say, they don’t like to send coins to PCGS for a number of logistical reasons. The only time that I have seen recently has been when the coin numbers need to be changed. An example of this occurred about a year ago when updating the Half Eagle Major varieties set, some of the coins were in basic holders. I hope this answers the question.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I hope this answers the question.
It does. Thanks!
Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar Update
The Liberty Seated Quarters Basic Circulation Strikes Set (1838-1891) is not seen often in the Hansen watch. I would contribute this to the fact that the set has been a top Hansen set since 3/16/2019 by moving ahead of Louis Eliasberg for the first time. With this recent PCGS Pop 1/0 specimen upgrade, the Hansen set is well established in first place. Also, the D.L. Hansen Collection holds the third place spot.
My last update to the Liberty Seated Quarters took place last December. That coin was an Eliasberg GEM. The upgrade was the 1853-O, Arrows and Rays, Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar, MS65, PCGS POP 1/0, The Finest Known. The upgrade today, is also a PCGS POP 1/0, The Finest Known Specimen, 1860 MS67, CAC Approved.
The set consist of 109 coins that PCGs describes as: If you build a type set of this series you are taking on a serious collection. If you build this date set you are dedicated, well-to-do and almost certain to be rewarded. Classic coins abound, including the extremely rare 1873-CC No Arrows and the almost as rare 1870-CC and 1873-CC With Arrows. The list of challenging coins goes on and on, but the set has been completed before and you can be next. PCGS describes the set as been competed before, but I am not sure in this condition before. The Hansen set has 53 PCGS certified finest specimens (48.6%) with 25 sole finest (23%). The lowest graded coins in the set are three XF40 specimens, 1849-O, 1866-S, and the 1870-CC. There are two other XF45s with the other 104 coins AU50 or better. On the high end, there are two MS68+ specimens. Currently, there are no specimens graded higher.
1860 Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar, MS67, CAC Approved
Expert Ron Guth describes the coin as: The 1860 Quarter Dollar started off the new decade with a substantial mintage of over 800,000 pieces. Back then, collectors had ample time to acquire nice examples, leaving numerous opportunities for today's collectors to purchase choice specimens. The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census consists entirely of MS65 and better examples, and at least a dozen or more examples have been certified by PCGS in each of the MS63, MS64, MS65 grades. MS66 seems to be the terminal grade on the high end. Fully struck examples are difficult to find, which may be a limiting factor for the grade. Virtually all of the examples seen thus far have weakness on some to several of the obverse stars. Luster ranges from bright and flashy to soft and creamy. Collectors should look for well-struck examples with good luster and eye appeal -- coins like that should be worth a nice premium today and in the future.
Since Mr. Hansen started his collection about four and half years ago, this coin has been offered in public auctions three times. In the case of this coin, the third time was the charm. The first offering was in Heritage’s January 2017 FUN US Coins Signature Auction in Fort Lauderdale. The coin was offered as MS67, Sole Finest at Either Service. The coin was in a NGC holder with the green CAC sticker. The coin was described by the auctioneer as: Housed in a previous generation NGC holder with CAC endorsement, this is the sole-finest circulation strike 1860 quarter listed by either NGC or PCGS. A rare survivor when collectors preferred proofs to business strikes, this coin somehow eluded the disappearance of silver and gold coinage leading up to and through the Civil War, as well as numerous other financial calamities and panics. Most recently, it somehow avoided the sharp eyes of Gene Gardner when he assembled his incomparable Seated Quarter set, and had to settle for an MS66 coin. The 1860 quarters are normally lightly struck on parts of the obverse, a characteristic seen on this example where the top stars show rounding and the neckline of Liberty's gown is weak. Otherwise, the coin is razor-sharp and virtually mark free. The satin-smooth surfaces are lustrous and pristine. Aquamarine and pale-rose toning cover the obverse, with gold shades across the reverse joined by blue and lavender toning at the borders. The eye appeal is excellent. As described here, the coin strike is a little weak on the obverse. My guess is that Mr. Hansen passed on the coin because of the NGC grade. The coin realized $15,275.
The second offering came in a Heritage June 2020 Long Beach Expo U.S. Coins Signature Auction that took place last year. The big difference in the offering was that the coin had been crossed to a PCGS holder. The coin was still listed as 1860 Seated Quarter, MS67, The Finest Certified Example. The description was slightly shorter: This piece is from Type Two obverse and reverse dies. The obverse has rich sea-green toning with a few splashes of light silver at the center. The strike is bold, despite a few flat stars from 10 to 1 o'clock. The reverse is mostly brilliant, gradually deepening to gold and sea-green near the borders. PCGS has certified 224 submissions of 1860 Seated Liberty quarters and NGC has certified 140 submissions. With a total of 364 examples sent to these two services, only one has earned the MS67 grade with none finer (4/20). This single amazing Superb Gem has also qualified for CAC approval. With all the checkboxes checked, this was a perfect coin for the Hansen Collection. The coin realized $25,200 and the Hansen team did not bring the coin back to Salt Lake.
As I stated, the third time was the charm. This time the coin was offered in Legend Rare Coin Regency 43 Auction in February 2021. The coin was described as: This is the SINGLE FINEST graded 1860 quarter in Mint State! The quality is absolutely stunning from the standpoint of both technical and aesthetic appeal. This coin sold in June 2020 for $25,200. This superb coin belongs in a SUPERB collection: box of 20, type set, or specialized FINEST set of Seated quarters. Bid accordingly! Maybe the results is all in the presentation, I don’t know. For whatever the reason, this time the Hansen Team set the Auction Record when the coin realized $31,725. The coin may have been destine for the Hansen Collection. If so, it eventually made it.
Provenance: FUN US Coins Signature (HA 1/2017 as MS67 NGC), lot 5605, realized $15,275; Long Beach Expo U.S. Coins Signature (HA 6/2020 as MS67 PCGS), lot 3048, realized $25,200; Regency 43 (Legend 2/2021), lot 121, realized $31,725 (Auction Record), D.L. Hansen Collection.
1860 Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar, MS67, CAC Approved
PCGS POP 1/0, The Finest Known
Certification #38249307, PCGS #5451
PCGS Price Guide Value: $32,500 / Realized $31,725
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004