Thanks Catbert for the comment and warning. Yes, let’s end this discussion with this post. I have plans to report a great new Simpson coin in this afternoon update. So everyone, please hold the comments or start a new thread. Thanks in advance.
@keyman64 said:
For a number of reasons, I wasn't really a fan of the accumulation prior to the recent news. I tried to keep an open mind but the more I learned about the person and the collection, I realized it wasn't for me. In light of recent news, I'm really not a fan now. I can't be supportive like others are. I might be the only one that is outspoken about it but I (and others I know) can't support DLRC with business as long as there is a relationship with someone that has so many terrible allegations against them from so many different sources. At least I know the MLS (among others) feels the same way. I know Twitter was on fire with the news. Will the lack of my business and a few others be enough to impact DLRC? No, absolutely not. I'm sure the compensation and business from a billionaire is far greater. Greed is good for some. For me, some things are just more important than money. It will be a good day when this accumulation is sold. I feel that morals are far more important. As far as Currin's continued support, he is either well compensated or genuinely loves expensive coins that he does not own more than anyone else out there, regardless of any possible questionable morality. Since PCGS is a publicly traded company, it will be interesting to see how many articles they write about the accumulation moving forward or if they carefully distance themselves from the person.
This is the third coin from the first Bob Simpson Mega sale offered by Heritage Auctions. Mr. Simpson stated, “The results exceeded every expectation I had”. The auctioneer described the sale as “Numismatic royalty.” The results were amazing. The Pogue Coins were called “Masterpieces”. I think the Simpson coins could be called masterpieces too.
For those that have been watching the Hansen Collection, you can occur the main priority is improving and adding to the HOF circulating strike set, although the collection has slowly but consistently picked up needed coins in the Proof Collection. The Collection started January 1 this year having completed 74.76% of the set. The 1145 piece set, with this update, is now 75.80% completed. I know 1% improvement does not sound like much, but to added 12 high end proof coins is a very significant accomplishment. All new additions are either gold proofs or pre-1853 non-gold. These coins do not come cheap. As many of you know, Bob Simpson have a few more proofs being offered that is needed in this collection. It will be interesting to watch to see if any of the future sales will produce any additional proofs.
1907 Liberty Head, PR67CAM, Ex: Simpson
The mintage on this coin is given to be 92. PCGS places the survival estimate at 75 coins, with 25 GEM or better. Expert David Akers comment: Proofs are rare and are seen less often than any of the other proofs from 1900 to 1906. PCGS POP report has 53 certified. How many of these have been sent in more than once, we have no way to know. The important point, there is a sole PCGS PR67CAM. That coin was previously in the Bob Simpson Collection.
Heritage described the coin as “Final Liberty Proof Issue, Single-Finest PCGS Example”. The coin is in one of Simpson’s new PCGS holders which makes more difficult to trace the provenance. The coin is described as: This spectacular Superb Gem proof displays razor-sharp definition throughout, with full star centers and fine detail on Liberty's hair strands and the eagle's feathers. The vivid yellow-gold surfaces are impeccably preserved, with a small cloudy spot at the reverse rim, near the second T in STATES, the only useful pedigree marker. The unusually frosty devices contrast boldly with the deeply mirrored fields and eye appeal is terrific. This coin is pictured on PCGS CoinFacts and is the plate coin for John Dannreuther's United States Proof Coins.
If you are cataloging the new coins as they enter the collection, then this coin is 868/1145. These coins in high grade condition do not show up often in auction. The Simpson specimen is all time first for PCGS PR67 certified. Three times a NGC PR67 has been auctioned. First appearance was in a 2004 Heritage Auctions, ANA Signature Sale for a NGC PR67 from The John Michael Stuart Collection. The coin realized $50,600. The next appearance was a 2004 Bowers & Merena Rarities Auction for NGC PR67 from The Rod Sweet Collection. The coin realized $48,300. The last appearance was in a 2008 Goldberg’s Pre-Long Beach Auction for a NGC PR67 from Ohringer Family Trust Collection. The coin realized $54,625. The Simpson PCGS PR67CAM Specimen realized an auction record price of $72,000.
In matching auction images, the Simpson specimen appears to be the John Michael Stuart specimen sold 2004. If Simpson purchased the coin the 2004 Heritage Auctions, ANA Signature Sale, then he held the coin for about 16 years. I have no way of knowing for certain. The coin was described by Heritage as: A needle-sharp Superb Gem with radiant pale gold devices and imposing deeply mirrored fields. Thorough examination under a loupe fails to reveal any remotely noticeable hairlines. A pair of tiny planchet flaws (as made) near the arrowheads are of mint origin and will provide pedigree markers for any future auction appearances of this magnificent specimen. The final year of proof Liberty Half Eagle production, although business strikes of the type were coined in Philadelphia dated 1908. Proofs can be identified by a bold diagonal die line (as made) west of the initial vertical stripe of the shield. As of (7/04), NGC has certified only two 1907 proof Half Eagles as PR67 Cameo, with none finer. NGC has not encapsulated any examples as Ultra Cameo, and among non-Cameos, the finest graded by that service is PR65. Hence, the present piece is tied with one other coin as the finest certified, since PCGS has not graded any at or above the PR67 level. If you were paying attention to detail, the pedigree marker here in 2004 is different than given in the Simpson Sale. Still, I believe the coin has both markers and are the same coin. If you feel differently, please let us know.
There were other proofs offered in the sale, but there were only two that were missing in The Hansen Collection. The 1907 Half Eagle that was purchased and the other was 1911 Indian Head Half Eagle, PR68, Top Condition Census Rarity, Finest at Auction in More Than 10 Years. This coin was a NGC certified coin that appears not aggressive sought for The Collection, maybe it was. The coin realized $120,000 by a phone bid. I wonder who the under bidder may have been. As you know, Mr. Simpson will not offering many of his amazing gold coins in upcoming auctions, including proofs. The few that are coming to auction, it will certainly be interesting to watch in the future.
Provenance: John Michael Stuart (Heritage, 8/2004), lot #7361, realized $50,600; Bob R. Simpson (Heritage, 9/2020), lot #10143, realized $72,000, D.L. Hansen Collection
Currin, I admire the effort you have done to keep us updated on Mr. Hanson's quest. Now your job has become harder but just know there are readers here who appreciate it. As for Mr. Hanson, Thank You sir for letting us follow along in your pursuit. As for the naysayers, if they had the financial means they would do the same as you sir. They're just jealous.
Great job Currin. You really are providing the service of a US numismatic historian and i know you do it for the love of the hobby. Its quite possible that the book derived from your blog will essential reading for collectors in 50 years! Just keep having fun and we will keep having fun with you.
This is the fourth coin from the first Bob Simpson Mega sale offered by Heritage Auctions. The Heritage sale of half of his collection has provided the numismatic community an avenue to get to know Mr. Simpson in a more in-depth way. Most of the prior information was coming from just one source and certainly not directly from Mr. Simpson. I, for one, certainly enjoyed his 20 minute interview by Robert Wilonsky, featuring Todd Imhof. The interview had a couple points that Mr. Simpson described that made me take note. For one, he said, history is more important to him than grade or appearance. I found that to be an interesting point. This means as a collector, he views coins more in align as the way an art collector would view a van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, etc. I think for most of us, we seek grade or appearance or both, with some of us choosing one over the other. Without revealing more, if you have time, watch the interview.
This update features a coin that fits in the gold one dollar sets, the Civil War sets, the Dahlonega Branch Mint sets, and if we give it some thought, maybe more. As with four out of five Simpson purchases, this coin upgrades an existing coin. The coin being replaced is an AU55 POP CAC Approved, POP 10/22. There were fifteen gold one dollars offered in Simpson’s first sale. This coin and one other Dahlonega, 1855-D are the only coins that realized six figures. The remaining 13 gold dollars realized $6,900 to $72,000 for the 1875 G$1 MS66+ PCGS. CAC Approved. The 1855-D MS64 realized $144,000 and I am not sure the story on that coin.
1861-D Gold One Dollar MS64+, Ex: Simpson
I find this to be a very fascinating coin. It is the closest that you find as a GEM 1861-D G$1. In fact, some individuals might call the coin the sole GEM. The coin sold twice as a MS65 NGC certified coin. The first appearance was a Heritage, 1/2006 sale of The Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold. The coin realized an auction record of $138,000. The coin was described as: The 1861-D is the rarest and most famous gold dollar from this mint. It is also the single most coveted coin from Dahlonega, as it is the only regular issue that was produced entirely by the Confederacy. After the Mint was seized in April 1861, between 1,000 and 1,500 examples were struck by Rebel forces. It is unlikely that more than five to six dozen are known today. Interestingly, more of these exist in high grade than one might expect, and there are probably more than a dozen pieces in Uncirculated. This is almost certainly due to the fact that examples were saved as souvenirs.
The coin set another auction record in a Heritage, 1/2009 sale. The coin was from The Madison Collection and realized $149,000 in a MS65 NGC holder. The auctioneer described the coin as: There are three really great 1861-D gold dollars known: the Duke's Creek coin, the present specimen, graded MS65 by NGC; the Ullmer-Pierce coin graded MS64 by PCGS, currently in an Alabama collection; the Green Pond/Eliasberg coin graded MS63 by PCGS, last sold by Heritage in January 2004. We would be not be surprised if this coin, the single finest graded at either service, set an all-time record for a Dahlonega gold coin, given the demand for Condition Census rare coins with great stories. The coin did break the record that was set three years previously.
In the Heritage description in the Simpson sale, the auctioneer described the coin as: This high-end MS64+ representative is listed at the top of Doug Winter's Condition Census and serves as the plate coin in his series reference. As the finest example of this numismatically and historically significant key-date gold dollar -- a coin that has been off the market for 12 years -- we expect spirited bidding from advanced branch mint gold and Civil War coinage specialists. It appear Mr. Simpson held the coin for 12 years and that would make purchasing the coin in the Heritage, 1/2009 sale about right. If he purchased the coin for $149,000, then it sold 12 years later at $180,000 in a lower grade in a PCGS holder. There is no CAC sticker on this coin. Does it matter? Would the coin have realized more?
Heritage described the coin as “A distinct appearance contributes, in part, to the charm of the 1861-D gold dollar. It is always found with a weak strike on the obverse, and this example is no exception. The UN in UNITED is soft, though it is actually more distinct than usual. The IC in AMERICA is also incomplete but, again, more fully defined than on nearly any other example of the 1861-D gold dollar we have seen. There is some weakness on the left side of the denticles, diagnostic for the issue. The remarkable reverse probably has the fullest strike we have seen on an 1861-D. The date and mintmark are full, while DOLLAR is complete, except for the O. There are multiple clash marks present -- heaviest near the R in DOLLAR. They also appear along the portrait. Partial reflectivity in the left obverse field is likely a result of mint personnel attempting to remove the clash marks. The surfaces are clean with only one tiny, shallow tick in the left obverse field and another shallow mark on Liberty's cheek. These serve as excellent identifiers for future pedigree information. Mint luster is exceptionally frosty for this or any other Dahlonega product. Rich orange-gold color graces the obverse, with hazel highlights at the center and toward the edge; the reverse is slightly lighter, deepening to an olive hue around the border.
This coin was a nice pickup for The Collection. Legends have been announced that Part 2 of the BigMo Civil War Collection will be the anchor to Regency 42 Auction slated for December 3rd in Las Vegas, NV. The BigMo coins are from a multimillion dollar collection that focuses on the rarer gold issues of the Civil War era, with many Condition Census and Pop Top issues. This great Simpson purchase may not be the last of the Civil War golds that we will see. Plan to watch in early December.
Provenance: Dr. Philip Weinstein; Tony Terranova; Stack's; Leon Farmer Collection; Hancock and Harwell; The Jeffrey Fisher-Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold (Heritage, 6/2006), lot 1493, realized $138,000; Madison Collection / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2008), lot 3050, realized $149,000; Bob R. Simpson (Heritage, 9/2020), lot #10143, realized $180,000, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1861-D Gold Dollar, MS64+, PCGS POP 1/0 Struck by Confederate Authority, Famous Series Key, The Finest Known Certification # 40323807, PCGS # 7559 PCGSGV: $160,000 / realized $180,000 Ex: Duke Creek/Simpson
Amazing coin! I’m glad DLH added it to his collection. I’m told we should ‘stretch’ for great coins. For me, this one would have led to a debilitating hernia!
Nice new addition. I enjoy gold dollars. They are gold, old, small mintages, often can be found in gem or better, great history, and you get alot of value.
Unlike the 61-D $5 which cannot be 100% confirmed to have been minted by the Confederates, the 1861-D $1 is most certainly a Confederate issue. One of my favorite US issues but so dang tiny!
My memory is that the Duke Creek coins were all NGC (im not 100% on this) so that may limit their inclusion in a pcgs registry set unless they cross
Yes, they were NGC and it seems like this coin lost the provenance when crossed to PCGS. It’s only via the Heritage description, not the PCGS cert, that we know it's a Duke Creek coin.
This is the fifth and final coin from the first Bob Simpson Mega sale offered by Heritage Auctions. The Heritage sale Part 1 of this great collection offered 349 amazing coins with 183 of the pattern variety. In this first sale, The collection did not acquire any patterns. The five coins purchase, four was upgrades to the collection with one new addition, 1907 Liberty Head, PR67CAM, These coins fits the goals and objectives that have been described for this collection. With somewhere around a thousand patterns remaining, only time will tell if a few of them actually ends up in The Collection.
I think for me, the best purchase that we saw was the 1861-D One Dollar Gold. It is such a tough old branch mint with an unique historic story, much less in the Pop 1/0 condition as the Simpson specimen. The most expensive coin obtained is the feature coin today, 1831 Quarter Eagle MS66+ Prooflike. This is the first Capped Bust $2.5 specimen to be given prooflike grade by PCGS. It may not be the last. Expert David Akers describes: Obviously very scarce as a date, but a relatively large number of choice examples exist. Like the preceding two dates, generally well struck. The strike and finish on the specimen is amazing for the coin not to be a proof. The coin may have been offered as a proof sometime in the past, but I think PCGS has the grade correct. It is an amazing circulating strike coin.
In PCGS holders, only five Capped Bust Type 3, Small Diameter Quarter Eagle Proof coins have been certified, for dates 1829-1834 and all are for the year 1831. The number of resubmissions are not known. Scott Rubi said about the proofs: The 1831 Proof Quarter Eagle is an extremely rare coin. There are probably not more than five true Proofs of this issue. Historically, Proof specimens of this year have been offered at auction at a ratio of about one out of every five listings, but most of the coins described as proofs are really prooflike business strikes. With a mintage of only 4,520, and most of the coins well struck, it appears that many of the business strikes were show prooflike surfaces. This is one date that should be certified in order to prove it is a true Proof striking. The auction records I have reviewed dating back to 1855 show that ninety-six out of five hundred and seven auction sales claim to have been for Proof specimens. This number is obviously overstated because of the many Prooflikes being offered as Proofs.
David Akers said about the proofs: Approximately five or six proofs are known. According to PCGS auction data, the last appearance for the 1831 Quarter Eagle Proof certified by PCGS was in January 2016 for a PR63 Cameo that realized $111,625. This is the only PCGS appearance and seven for NGC since the Eliasberg Gold Collection that sold in 1982.
1831 Quarter Eagle MS66+ Prooflike, Ex: Simpson
PCGS glossary describes PL as: Prooflike Term to designate a coin that has mirror-like surfaces, the term especially applicable to Morgan dollars. Those Morgan dollars that meet PCGS prooflike standards are designated PL. The designation has recently been expanded to include coins other that Morgan Dollars. On July 2, 2019 in an announcement, Now, all qualifying mint state U.S. and world coins, tokens and medals can be PCGS-certified as PL PCGS noted: According to PCGS standards, a coin’s surface is Prooflike when there is a clear reflection in the fields on both sides as viewed from two to four inches away. A cloudy effect or striations may impede the reflectivity. This Ex: Simpson coin certainly displays the required reflectivity. I am not sure when the coin received the Prooflike designation, but I believed it was regraded just before the sale.
The rarity of the coin was described in Heritage 2020 September sale of Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection: Mint records indicate a production of 4,520 quarter eagles in 1831 with no more than 125 of those surviving today. Mintages of the type from 1829 to 1834 varied slightly, ranging from a low of 3,403 pieces in 1829 to a high of 4,540 coins in 1830. Only a single die pair is identified for each year from new obverse dies and just two reverse dies, one used in 1829 and the other employed from 1830 through 1834. A recut U in UNITED identifies the second reverse die. The dies appear perfect with no evidence of die cracks or clash marks, signifying a piece that is either an early state (Bass-Dannreuther State a/a) or a late state from lapped dies (Bass-Dannreuther State c/c). John Dannreuther writes: "The lapping is so light that distinguishing between State a and c is nearly impossible."
The auctioneer described the coin as: This lovely Prooflike Premium Gem exhibits a bold strike with sharply defined central and peripheral details on each side. A brilliant yellow-gold quarter eagle, this piece features reflective fields that contrast with the frosty design motifs. The surfaces are virtually pristine, presenting exceptional eye appeal with strong field-to-device contrast. Formerly endorsed by CAC as MS66+ prior to its reholdering, this coin has not yet been reviewed by CAC in its present MS66+ Prooflike holder. I cannot find this coin to have appeared in auction before (as proof or CS). With few of the Simpson coins being regraded and recertified before the sale, some coins as this one are hard to trace. We may never know the pedigree on this coin.
At present time, the coin is unique in prooflike condition. The coin is a PCGS POP 1/0 due to the PL designation, but there is one coin that grades higher. The Garrett/Pogue specimen is a MS67 that lasted sold for $352,500 in September 2015. PCGS values the Simpson MS66+ prooflike at $250,000. The coin realized $240,000 in the Simson sale. I wish more was known about this coin. According to my notes, this coin replaces a MS62, PCGS POP 7/25. Great Upgrade.
Provenance: Bob R. Simpson (Heritage, 9/2020), lot #10123, realized $240,000, D.L. Hansen Collection.
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I know I confused this posting by calling the third coin “Bob Simpson Upgrade #3”. The coin is not an upgrade, rather a new addition. There was not a 1907 Liberty Half Eagle in The Collection. There were five coins purchased in Simpson #1 sale, four upgrades and one new addition. Sorry If I confused the posting.
@earlyAurum said:
I think DLH upgraded his 1796 no stars to an AU58.
You are correct, this coin has been upgraded. As for early quarter eagles, they don’t get any earlier than this one. Our friend Ron Guth had this to say: The 1796 Quarter Eagle with No Stars on the obverse is one of the most historic and important U.S. gold coins. The mintage is a mere 963 pieces, which is exceedingly small by any standard. Estimates of the number of surviving examples has ranged all over the place. David Akers claimed 30 to 40, refuting earlier claims of 15 to 20 known. The cataloger at Heritage estimated 80 to 100 in their January 2007 sale. PCGS experts estimate a surviving population of 100 to 125 pieces. To put a finer spin on things, we have images of 28 different examples, all in AU or better. Eleven of those examples are Mint State 60 or better. At the top of the condition census is the incredible PCGS MS65 (finest by two full points) that sold for $1,725,000 in January 2008. It is very difficult to locate a "perfect" 1796 No Stars Quarter Eagle. Many show lintmarks of various sizes. Some show adjustment marks, usually in the center of the obverse. The Bass:261 coin (now in an NGC MS60 holder) shows three different, mint-caused defects: a diagonal fissure running from the turban to Liberty's temple; vertical adjustment marks on the obverse; and a heavy lintmark on the right side of the reverse (yet, it is still a nice, six-figure coin). Though there are numerically finer examples, my personal favorite is Bob Simpson's PCGS MS62+ -- it is well-struck, has great color, and is free of any distracting problems.
I am not sure of the status of the Bob Simpson's PCGS MS62+ Specimen. I did not see the coin being offered in his sales, so I wondering if he planning on holding on to the coin. The PCGS MS65 that sold for $1,725,000 is pedigreed to Lorin Parmelee Collection. This upgrade does not come close to reaching the status of these coins. The Hansen Collection previously had a very nice, but well circulated, 1796 No Stars, AU50 Certification #29531383. If you recall, I discussed this coin on a December 2019 feature that I called “Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part I”. The Eliasberg Specimen was a XF45, but by today’s grading standards, the coin could a few grades better. The existing coin POP 6/48 was last sold in Heritage’s 2017 Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction. The coin was from The Faris Collection and realized $111,625. I am not sure of the future destination of this coin. It would make a nice coin for someone’s collection, but it does carry the Hansen pedigree and label.
1796, No Stars, Quarter Eagle AU58
This upgrade is from an AU50 to AU58 with a POP 14/7. The coin is the first year of issue for this denomination and a one-year type with just 963 struck. The coin was offered in mid-September on Tangible Investments, Inc. website. The coin was described as a “US Rare Coin“. The coin’s detail description: Outstanding, Super-Rarity 1796 $2.50 Gold Draped Bust Quarter Eagle, Type 1 No Stars graded PCGS AU58. The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter Eagle is one of the most important, if not the most important Quarter Eagle to exist in American history. This coin came from an exceptionally small mintage of only 963 coins, of which only 100 to 125 are known, and less than 8 existing in Mint State condition. However not being mint state, this 1796 $2.50 gold draped bust example features exceptional detail, original orange color and untouched luster residing under the slight wear making the coin an AU58. The obverse displays this wear, but the reverse is untouched and easily can be considered uncirculated. It should be noted that Mint State examples are unavailable under the range of $450,000, and ranging into the 7-figures for MS62 specimens. Furthermore, auction sales are few and far between, of which the last AU58 example sold over 6 years ago. An absolute masterpiece and duly noted example for a collector of American rarities. Comparable sales are hard to find, as an AU53 Sold for $150,000 in Stacks 2017 Sale Lot #10114, and an MS61 example sold for $396,000 in Heritage 2018 Long Beach Sale Lot #4094, giving the price of this PQ AU58 at $245,000.
The coin was offered with an ask price of $245,000, also the coin was offered briefly on eBay. It does not appear the coin sold for the asking price. The coin was purchased from David Lawrence Rare Coins, so it is unknown what the coin actually sold for. This is a nice upgrade to the US early coinage portion of The Collection.
Do you have a picture of the coin which was previously in the set? While completely appreciating the rarity of the issue, from the pictures the coin appears to be so processed it wouldn't grade if was a different issue.
I had forgotten about Simpson’s 1796 No Stars. Thanks to Currin for refreshing my memory. I’m surprised it isn’t in the upcoming auctions since it appears he is divesting his other quarter eagles including the 1796 with stars which is a more desirable and more expensive coin.
@earlyAurum said:
I had forgotten about Simpson’s 1796 No Stars. Thanks to Currin for refreshing my memory. I’m surprised it isn’t in the upcoming auctions since it appears he is divesting his other quarter eagles including the 1796 with stars which is a more desirable and more expensive coin.
The DLH upgrade is interesting.
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The 1795 with stars is a monster coin that has a prooflike appeal. The coin is one of three or four million dollars coins in January 2021 Simpson sale at the FUN event. 1795 with stars would make a very nice upgrade to Hansen’s XF45+ specimen. The real coin to watch is the Early Proof Eagle. It is a real Kaiju.
I did not know we would be talking about a Draped Bust Dollar Upgrade now, but we are. We have talked a lot about the Bob Simpson Part 1 sale that took place Thursday night Sept. 17th. The Heritage sale did not end there. Starting Friday and over the weekend, Heritage held their 2020 September 18 - 20 US Coins Signature Auction. The D.L. Hansen Collection acquired a few coins from the sale. I think by far, the best upgraded was a Large Eagle, Draped Bust Dollar. Is this a precursor for what to expect in the big Draped Bust Dollar Sale coming up a week from now? No one can know for sure, but it is interesting to see them upgrading Bust Dollars. This places the Draped Bust Dollar on the radar screen and in the discussion. This was not the only upgrade from the Heritage sale, but by far the best and most interesting.
Being the sets are close, I can still tell you that this purchase adds a little spice to the set. The basic set requires only twelve coins. I must say, they are not just any twelve coins, especially if the desire is condition census grades. PCGS describes the twelve coin set as: This is one of the "Dream Sets" of American numismatics, with the classic 1794 rarity, the two 1795 types (Flowing Hair and Draped Bust), and the transitional coins of 1798. The silver dollar is perhaps the most popular of all numismatic collectibles, and the Bust Dollars rival the Large cents as the most popular of the early coins. Return with us to the days of Washington, Adams and Jefferson and enjoy building this historic set!
In the twelve Hansen coins, there are a couple crown jewels. The first being the Pogue/Jung 1795 MS66 Certification #32189886, POP 1/0 for the variety and tied for finest for date. Another worthy of mentioning here is the 1797 $ MS64 Certification #28585087, POP 1/0 for the variety and tied with three others for finest for date. The new upgrade improves the set to now having five condition census top five coins. The set is not quite half way to where should for this high quality collection.
The top three names in the dream sets are Bruce Morelan, Brett Pogue, and the Cardinal Collection. The Hansen set grades higher than some of the pre-registry giants: Amon Carter, Louis Eliasberg, Waldo Newcomer, T. Harrison Garrett, William Dunham, to name a few. D.L. Hansen is not assembling his collection in that era, rather the registry era. He still has some sprucing to do to play with the big three silver dollar registry boys. The next few days could be interesting.
1798 $1 Large Eagle, Pointed 9, Close Date, MS64 PCGS, Ex: Eliasberg
It is always sweet to add an Ex: Eliasberg specimen to the collection. For the Bust Dollar specialists, Heritage describe the variety coin as: This coin represents the popular BB-113 variety, with the 8 in the date placed high and leaning right, while the reverse shows a berry under the left foot of the final A in AMERICA. The BB-113 is not too difficult to locate and examples are sometimes available in high grade. The obverse die was used to strike seven varieties of this date, with this being its first use. This was the fourth and final use of the reverse die. To further explain: Bowers Die State II, with a die crack from the second S in STATES through OF and the wing. Mint records indicate a substantial mintage of 327,536 Draped Bust dollars was struck in 1798, split between the Small Eagle and Large Eagle reverse designs. It is possible that some of the dollars produced in 1798 were struck from leftover obverse dies with earlier dates, and some 1798-dated dollars may have been struck in later years, as Mint personnel kept using dies as long as they were serviceable during this era, regardless of the calendar year. A total of 33 die varieties are known for the date, with two varieties employing the Small Eagle reverse and 31 varieties showing the Large Eagle motif.
This coin does not just make a great variety coin, but it just nice all around. From The James Dines "Original Goldbug" Collection, the coin was headlined as: Only One Finer Coin at PCGS. That coin would be the Pogue MS65 Specimen. Even though this statement is correct for “only one finer for variety”, there is one other finer for date, The Bruce Morelan 1798 WIDE DATE. PCGS MS65 CAC. With the Pouge and Morelan coins as finest, the new Hansen upgrade is POP 11/2 in the registry set.
This old silver dollar has a great appeal and history. Heritage describe the coin as: The present coin was once a highlight of the famous Eliasberg Collection, a mark of distinction for any coin. This piece ranks high in the Condition Census for the variety, as PCGS has graded only a single example finer and NGC has certified no coins in higher numeric grades (7/20). The design elements are well-detailed, with full star centers and especially sharp definition on Liberty's profile. Just a trace of softness is evident on the eagle's breast and some dentils. The well-preserved obverse has light gold and gray toning that deepens with splashes of blue at the rims. The reverse, on the other hand, has deep gunmetal-blue patina with iridescent undertones. Overall eye appeal is terrific. This coin is pictured on PCGS CoinFacts. Let’s be honest here. If you like Draped Bust Silver Dollars, how do you not like this coin? It does not appear to be stickered, so that’s the biggest negative I would guess. Although, this coin is not a top pop, I feel it to be a real keeper. It’s an Eliasberg, right?
Provenance: Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Eliasberg Collection, Part II (Bowers and Merena, 4/1997), lot 2184, realized $33,000; Fun Signature (Heritage, 1/1998), lot 7011; Phillip Flanagan Collection (Bowers and Merena, 11/2001), lot 4244; James Dines "Original Goldbug" Collection, (Heritage, 10/2020), lot 3632, realized $90,000, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1798 Draped Bust Dollar, Large Eagle, Pointed 9, Close Date, MS64 PCGS Only One Finer Coin at PCGS Certification #12579464, PCGS #6873 PCGSGV: $105,000 / realized $90,000 Ex: Eliasberg
I mentioned a few days ago about Heritage 2020 September 18 - 20 US Coins Signature Auction. I featured the 1798 $1 Large Eagle, MS64 PCGS, Ex: Eliasberg. This was not the only upgrade. There were several. I call these upgrades, improvements. None are significant alone, but as a group they are. The 1792 – 1964 portion of the Hall of Fame Basic set requires 2821 specimens. One by one, we are slowly seeing the set improved. On 9/28/2020, The Collection reached 63.00 GPA Weighted rating for this portion of the set. This is a great milestone. Let’s look at the percentages of a few categories.
Sole Finest or Tied Finest: 39% Second Finest / Only One PCGS Graded Finer: 16% Condition Census / PCGS Graded TOP Five: 21%
Amazingly, a little 75% of the 2821 piece 1792 – 1964 basic set is PCGS Condition Census. This means about 660 coins (23%) still need to be upgraded to reach a Condition Census quality set. Many of them are not ultra-rarities, rather coin that just need an opportunity to replace as being featured today. These are a few of the improvement coins that were purchase. Just note, a couple are Major Variety improvements and at least on is proof.
1797 Draped Bust Cent, MS65 Brown, POP 10/3, PCGSPG: $37,500, realized $21,000
1807 S-276 Cent, MS63 Brown, POP 5/2, PCGSPG: $16,500, realized $15,600
1867 Indian Head Cent, MS66 Red, POP 4/0, PCGSPG $46,500, realized $18,000, Ex: Castle
1924-D Buffalo Nickel, MS66, POP 15/0, PCGSPG: $18,750, realized $10,800
1928-S Nickel, MS66+, POP 2/2, PCGSPG: $25,000, realized $16,800
1941 Jefferson Nickel, PR68, POP 7/0, PCGSPG: $12,500, realized $11,400
1854-C Quarter Eagle, MS62, POP 4/0, PCGSPG: $25,000, realized $15,600
None of the improvements were high dollar value in the D.H. Hansen Collection. It is the continuous improved in which these coins will add overall value in the end. I will feature the 1854-C Quarter Eagle. It was not the most expensive of these improvement coins, but I just have a fondness to Charlotte Gold, and this is really cool old gold coin.
1854-C Quarter Eagle MS62 PCGS
The D.L. Hansen Collection is top of the All-Time registry for Charlotte Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1838-1861). The weighted Grade average is 60.38 and the set is followed by Harry W. Bass, Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection, Louis Eliasberg and rounding out the fifth place set is Southern Collection. This is a great example of continuous improvement.
Expert Doug Winter described the coin as: After a one-year hiatus, production of quarter eagles at the Charlotte Mint resumed in 1854. Only 7,295 examples were produced, giving this date the fifth lowest mintage figure of any quarter eagle from this mint. Most often seen in the VF and EF range, the low mintage 1854-C quarter eagle is a scarce date in all grades. It is scarce in the lower AU grades and rare in properly graded AU55 to AU58. It is very rare in Uncirculated with approximately a half dozen or so known that qualify by today’s standards. The new addition is one of four MS62 specimens that have been certified by PCGS. The Heritage auctioneer added: Quarter eagle production resumed at the Charlotte Mint in 1854 with a mintage of 7,295 coins. Ranking 6th out of 20 C-mint quarter eagle issues as far as scarcity, Doug Winter describes the 1854-C as "very rare in Uncirculated with approximately a half dozen or so that qualify by today's standards." Only 105 to 145 examples survive in all.
The coin was purchased in Heritage’s, September 2020 US Coins Signature Auction. No mention of provenance. After comparing a few auction images, it appears the coin can be traced to the Ashland City Collection. The coin sold in a Heritage 2003 auction, and the later in a 2009 Goldberg Auction where the coin was described as: A nice untoned example. 7,295 struck. Pure and simple, this is a classic quarter eagle rarity in high grades, especially so in choice Mint State as seen here. Charlotte struck very few of these, virtually all of which made it into circulation and therefore the few survivors are in much lower grades. We note the lustrous, desirable, and definitely un-circulated surfaces of this specimen bedazzle the eye with their vibrant golden glow. Then, too, we see none of the usual haze or dullness over the luster. As to the strike, this specimen really excels. Noted expert Doug Winter wrote in his reference on the series that "Weak strikes are the rule for this date. The obverse is often blurry on the hair around Liberty's ear. The reverse is always weaker than the obverse; the center and eagle's claws are invariably very weak…." We are pleased to say that the hair around Liberty's ear is decidedly sharper than most, especially so given the date, although the reverse shows the expected softness on the eagle's thigh, claws and areas around the shield.
The recent Heritage Auction, the coin was describes as: This is a marvelous Mint State offering with deep orange-gold surfaces and partial luster. The border elements are relatively well-defined, while the central devices show typical incompleteness. Overall detail and eye appeal remain impressive for this top-drawer Southern gold piece. Few notable or distracting abrasions. Another nice upgrade to this collection.
Provenance: Ashland City Collection/FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2003), lot 4700, realized $17,250; (Goldberg, 5/2009), lot 1206, realized $14,950; The Cherokee County Collection (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4761, realized $14,950; US Coins Signature, (Heritage 9/2020), lot 3695, realized $15,600, D. L. Hansen Collection
1854-C Quarter Eagle MS62 PCGS Condition Census Example, Tied for Finest at PCGS Certification #28944864, PCGS #7770 PCGSGV: $25,000 / realized $15,600
As many of you know, the U.S. Coins Complete Basic Set, Proof (1801-1964) has surpassed 75%. PCGS describes the set as: Every basic classic U.S. coin in Proof from 1801 through 1964, this set is one of the greatest challenges in the Registry. A collection of this size could take many years to assemble in high grade. As I have stated more than once, completing this set is more than the greatest challenge in the Registry. As a fact, the set is impossible to complete. There are a few coins that PCGS has never certified. There are coins required in the set where it’s doubtful the coins actually exist. Also, there are a few coins off the market and in the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection and Harry Bass Foundation Collections, and others likewise; they will never appear for public sale. Presently, The D.L. Hansen Collection has 874 of the required 1145 coins. If my math is correct, approx. 20 new coins have been added in 2020. The set will really get interesting when the completion reaches about 90%. We can watch and see what happens.
Gold Proof coins are really a class of their own. Since I am featuring a quarter eagle today, I will briefly discuss the series. Just assembling a set of quarter eagles would be challenging. The D.L. Hansen Collection is amazingly working on all series at once. PCGS described the 90 coin set as: A complete set of Proof Quarter Eagles is faced with the same problem all Proof denomination sets share; namely the extreme rarity of early (pre-1857) Proof issues. Numerous dates have yet to have a single example graded by PCGS, and nearly all others boast populations in the low single digits. Needless to say, this is not a set that will be attempted by many, if for no other reason than the prohibitive rarity of so many of the coins.
The Collection replaced its 1876 PR65DC Specimen. This coin is not a hole filler! The POP 4/3 coin is a PCGS census specimen. This is a $50K coin, but as we know, if opportunity for an upgrade comes along, we often see the great coin is replaced with a better grade. That is exactly what we are seeing today. The PR65DC $50K coin is being replaced with a POP 1/0 $100K specimen. Sometimes I find it quite funny when comments are made about Hansen’s collection as a hole filler collection. A good laugh once a day is what I need.
1876 Quarter Eagle, DCAM PR67DCAM
The 1876 Quarter Eagle has a mintage 45, but where are they? In one of StacksBowers description: The Proof 1876 quarter eagle has the highest mintage in its series from 1868 through 1880. Even so, survivors from the mintage of 45 pieces are highly elusive and, discounting for the high probability of resubmissions among the third party certification totals, we believe that fewer than 25 coins are extant, perhaps no more than 20. This Superb Gem is the single finest certified example known to PCGS and NGC, the only Proof-67 in any category and is exceptionally attractive due to the Ultra Cameo finish. It is destined to serve as a highlight in an advanced collection of classic Proof gold coinage.
I don’t always get this right, but I believe this PR67DCAM PCGS specimen is the same coin sold in Stacks Bowers November 2017 Rarities Night Auction in Baltimore. The coin holds the auction record at $66,000. It was sold in a Proof-67 Ultra Cameo (NGC) holder. The coin was described as “Finest Certified Proof 1876 Quarter Eagle”. The auctioneer stated: This breathtakingly beautiful 1876 Proof quarter eagle combines satiny devices with deeply mirrored fields, easily living up to its Ultra Cameo designation by NGC. The surfaces are silky smooth and virtually pristine. A full strike and bright golden yellow patina round out enhance the appeal of this remarkable condition rarity. The listing and 2017 sale does not provide any addition provenance.
I watched this coin listed for sale by GreatCollections for several weeks. The coin was offered as a starting bid of $87,500. PCGS places the value at $120,000. I have no idea how they came up with price. It was a little surprising to me, the coin was sold with one bid of $87,500 and $98,437.50 with buyer fees. The coin sold on September 27th with a new Auction Record bid. I am not sure that PCGS will recognized this as a new record, being they are not recognizing GreatCollections sale results.
Provenance: Rarities Night (StacksBowers 11/17), lot 10139, realized $66,000; (GreatCollections 9/27/2020) ID # 809950, realized $98,437.50, D. L. Hansen Collection.
As many of you know, the U.S. Coins Complete Basic Set, Proof (1801-1964) has surpassed 75%. PCGS describes the set as: Every basic classic U.S. coin in Proof from 1801 through 1964, this set is one of the greatest challenges in the Registry. A collection of this size could take many years to assemble in high grade. As I have stated more than once, completing this set is more than the greatest challenge in the Registry. As a fact, the set is impossible to complete. There are a few coins that PCGS has never certified. There are coins required in the set where it’s doubtful the coins actually exist. Also, there are a few coins off the market and in the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection and Harry Bass Foundation Collections, and others likewise; they will never appear for public sale. Presently, The D.L. Hansen Collection has 874 of the required 1145 coins. If my math is correct, approx. 20 new coins have been added in 2020. The set will really get interesting when the completion reaches about 90%. We can watch and see what happens.
Gold Proof coins are really a class of their own. Since I am featuring a quarter eagle today, I will briefly discuss the series. Just assembling a set of quarter eagles would be challenging. The D.L. Hansen Collection is amazingly working on all series at once. PCGS described the 90 coin set as: A complete set of Proof Quarter Eagles is faced with the same problem all Proof denomination sets share; namely the extreme rarity of early (pre-1857) Proof issues. Numerous dates have yet to have a single example graded by PCGS, and nearly all others boast populations in the low single digits. Needless to say, this is not a set that will be attempted by many, if for no other reason than the prohibitive rarity of so many of the coins.
The Collection replaced its 1876 PR65DC Specimen. This coin is not a hole filler! The POP 4/3 coin is a PCGS census specimen. This is a $50K coin, but as we know, if opportunity for an upgrade comes along, we often see the great coin is replaced with a better grade. That is exactly what we are seeing today. The PR65DC $50K coin is being replaced with a POP 1/0 $100K specimen. Sometimes I find it quite funny when comments are made about Hansen’s collection as a hole filler collection. A good laugh once a day is what I need.
1876 Quarter Eagle, DCAM PR67DCAM
The 1876 Quarter Eagle has a mintage 45, but where are they? In one of StacksBowers description: The Proof 1876 quarter eagle has the highest mintage in its series from 1868 through 1880. Even so, survivors from the mintage of 45 pieces are highly elusive and, discounting for the high probability of resubmissions among the third party certification totals, we believe that fewer than 25 coins are extant, perhaps no more than 20. This Superb Gem is the single finest certified example known to PCGS and NGC, the only Proof-67 in any category and is exceptionally attractive due to the Ultra Cameo finish. It is destined to serve as a highlight in an advanced collection of classic Proof gold coinage.
I don’t always get this right, but I believe this PR67DCAM PCGS specimen is the same coin sold in Stacks Bowers November 2017 Rarities Night Auction in Baltimore. The coin holds the auction record at $66,000. It was sold in a Proof-67 Ultra Cameo (NGC) holder. The coin was described as “Finest Certified Proof 1876 Quarter Eagle”. The auctioneer stated: This breathtakingly beautiful 1876 Proof quarter eagle combines satiny devices with deeply mirrored fields, easily living up to its Ultra Cameo designation by NGC. The surfaces are silky smooth and virtually pristine. A full strike and bright golden yellow patina round out enhance the appeal of this remarkable condition rarity. The listing and 2017 sale does not provide any addition provenance.
I watched this coin listed for sale by GreatCollections for several weeks. The coin was offered as a starting bid of $87,500. PCGS places the value at $120,000. I have no idea how they came up with price. It was a little surprising to me, the coin was sold with one bid of $87,500 and $98,437.50 with buyer fees. The coin sold on September 27th with a new Auction Record bid. I am not sure that PCGS will recognized this as a new record, being they are not recognizing GreatCollections sale results.
Provenance: Rarities Night (StacksBowers 11/17), lot 10139, realized $66,000; (GreatCollections 9/27/2020) ID # 809950, realized $98,437.50, D. L. Hansen Collection.
Gorgeous coin. I remain very impressed with what Hansen has been accomplishing with proof gold. As for your comment on the price, i would note that those who follow proof gold will notice that pcgs generally brings signifcantly more than ngc and cac approval also is an important factor in pricing proof gold. This date in deep cameo has 4 stickered coins (3 in 64 and 1 in 65). My hunch is the coin would have gone for far more than the record price with cac approval. That being said, to build a world class proof gold coin collection there will be times you just dont have the luxury to have all cac coins. Some coins are rarely available and some dates simply have few if any cac approvals. Great pick up for the Hansen collection.
Good morning. Great coin! I do not exactly agree with: "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals"
Many do until they are cracked and upgraded. When I buy a coin like this I downgrade it and get the CAC sticker as the grade is usually one lower. DLH could do the same but chooses not to. In this case it should be done as there are no 66's and therefore this would still be a top pop. Yes it certainly would have sold for "far more" with CAC approval but CAC does not feel it is a 67.
@Perfection said:
Good morning. Great coin! I do not exactly agree with: "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals"
Many do until they are cracked and upgraded. When I buy a coin like this I downgrade it and get the CAC sticker as the grade is usually one lower. DLH could do the same but chooses not to. In this case it should be done as there are no 66's and therefore this would still be a top pop. Yes it certainly would have sold for "far more" with CAC approval but CAC does not feel it is a 67.
This is an interesting dilemma. if you are a registry player then the higher grade is more important. if you want to sell, perhaps the CAC sticker will bring more money (each case is individual as Perfection points out that this 1876 has no equal even at MS66). Lastly you might not care for either but just want the coin graded to your standards.
This is a good problem to have if the coin will truly sticker at the lower grade...
@Perfection said:
Good morning. Great coin! I do not exactly agree with: "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals"
Many do until they are cracked and upgraded. When I buy a coin like this I downgrade it and get the CAC sticker as the grade is usually one lower. DLH could do the same but chooses not to. In this case it should be done as there are no 66's and therefore this would still be a top pop. Yes it certainly would have sold for "far more" with CAC approval but CAC does not feel it is a 67.
I don't understand how you can fail to agree, exactly with the statement "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals".
The fact that the number of CAC examples might change in the future, due to downgrades, crack-outs, etc., doesn't mean the comment was inaccurate at the time it was made.
If I state that a coin with a PCGS population of zero has a PCGS population of zero, the statement is still accurate, whether or not the population increases over time.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@Perfection said:
Good morning. Great coin! I do not exactly agree with: "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals"
Many do until they are cracked and upgraded. When I buy a coin like this I downgrade it and get the CAC sticker as the grade is usually one lower. DLH could do the same but chooses not to. In this case it should be done as there are no 66's and therefore this would still be a top pop. Yes it certainly would have sold for "far more" with CAC approval but CAC does not feel it is a 67.
This is an interesting dilemma. if you are a registry player then the higher grade is more important. if you want to sell, perhaps the CAC sticker will bring more money (each case is individual as Perfection points out that this 1876 has no equal even at MS66). Lastly you might not care for either but just want the coin graded to your standards.
This is a good problem to have if the coin will truly sticker at the lower grade...
This point: This is a good problem to have if the coin will truly sticker at the lower grade...
The key is in understand which coins will CAC at a point lower, vs. ones which will never CAC for one reason or another.
This is not a forum to discuss over grading and the merits of CAC so this is my last comment.
Collectors know that CAC is usually one grade lower than PCGS and perhaps two two for NGC. CAC buyers wanted to compete in the registry and not play the upgrade game. PCGS finally created a CAC registry to address this issue.
It is extremely difficult to have a 100% CAC set be top in the regular registry. Regardless it is apple and oranges which has become more and more evident over the years. Gold especially. When people do not understand I tell them to look at the prices for CAC versus non for Saints. Lastly, some people say buy the coin and not the grade.
That is mostly nonsense. MANY buyers/collectors cannot grade and cannot learn unless they are around many coins for many years. They want to be able to rely on experts, Grading services or dealers. I am now learning sport cards.
Unless I handle thousands I have little clue. I have to learn how the grading service work with cards.
Have a nice day.
I don't understand how you can fail to agree, exactly with the statement "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals".
The fact that the number of CAC examples might change in the future, due to downgrades, crack-outs, etc., doesn't mean the comment was inaccurate at the time it was made.
Ok, submit I agree, technically. Some dates have no CAC approval. if they have PCGS or NGC approvals, they can be
changed to CAC approvals, usually at another grade.
I mentioned a few days ago about Heritage 2020 September 18 - 20 US Coins Signature Auction. I featured the 1798 $1 Large Eagle, MS64 PCGS, Ex: Eliasberg. This was not the only upgrade. There were several. I call these upgrades, improvements. None are significant alone, but as a group they are. The 1792 – 1964 portion of the Hall of Fame Basic set requires 2821 specimens. One by one, we are slowly seeing the set improved. On 9/28/2020, The Collection reached 63.00 GPA Weighted rating for this portion of the set. This is a great milestone. Let’s look at the percentages of a few categories.
Sole Finest or Tied Finest: 39% Second Finest / Only One PCGS Graded Finer: 16% Condition Census / PCGS Graded TOP Five: 21%
Amazingly, a little 75% of the 2821 piece 1792 – 1964 basic set is PCGS Condition Census. This means about 660 coins (23%) still need to be upgraded to reach a Condition Census quality set. Many of them are not ultra-rarities, rather coin that just need an opportunity to replace as being featured today. These are a few of the improvement coins that were purchase. Just note, a couple are Major Variety improvements and at least on is proof.
1797 Draped Bust Cent, MS65 Brown, POP 10/3, PCGSPG: $37,500, realized $21,000
1807 S-276 Cent, MS63 Brown, POP 5/2, PCGSPG: $16,500, realized $15,600
1867 Indian Head Cent, MS66 Red, POP 4/0, PCGSPG $46,500, realized $18,000, Ex: Castle
1924-D Buffalo Nickel, MS66, POP 15/0, PCGSPG: $18,750, realized $10,800
1928-S Nickel, MS66+, POP 2/2, PCGSPG: $25,000, realized $16,800
1941 Jefferson Nickel, PR68, POP 7/0, PCGSPG: $12,500, realized $11,400
1854-C Quarter Eagle, MS62, POP 4/0, PCGSPG: $25,000, realized $15,600
None of the improvements were high dollar value in the D.H. Hansen Collection. It is the continuous improved in which these coins will add overall value in the end. I will feature the 1854-C Quarter Eagle. It was not the most expensive of these improvement coins, but I just have a fondness to Charlotte Gold, and this is really cool old gold coin.
1854-C Quarter Eagle MS62 PCGS
The D.L. Hansen Collection is top of the All-Time registry for Charlotte Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1838-1861). The weighted Grade average is 60.38 and the set is followed by Harry W. Bass, Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection, Louis Eliasberg and rounding out the fifth place set is Southern Collection. This is a great example of continuous improvement.
Expert Doug Winter described the coin as: After a one-year hiatus, production of quarter eagles at the Charlotte Mint resumed in 1854. Only 7,295 examples were produced, giving this date the fifth lowest mintage figure of any quarter eagle from this mint. Most often seen in the VF and EF range, the low mintage 1854-C quarter eagle is a scarce date in all grades. It is scarce in the lower AU grades and rare in properly graded AU55 to AU58. It is very rare in Uncirculated with approximately a half dozen or so known that qualify by today’s standards. The new addition is one of four MS62 specimens that have been certified by PCGS. The Heritage auctioneer added: Quarter eagle production resumed at the Charlotte Mint in 1854 with a mintage of 7,295 coins. Ranking 6th out of 20 C-mint quarter eagle issues as far as scarcity, Doug Winter describes the 1854-C as "very rare in Uncirculated with approximately a half dozen or so that qualify by today's standards." Only 105 to 145 examples survive in all.
_Remove reference to 9/2020 Heritage Auction and provenance
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. Correction:
Thanks to Ron Guth’s help, I need to correct the provenance on this coin. The Heritage 9/2020:3695 is a different coin than I posted. I was confused because I think Hansen has two 1854-C Quarter Eagle MS62 PCGS Specimens. The Ashland City Specimen and the coin purchased in the recent Heritage sale. I had the provenance to Ashland City correct, but the coin was not from the Heritage Auction. I can not determine the place of purchase, but being the coin is pedigreed to Hansen, it has been in the collection for some time.
Provenance: Ashland City Collection - Heritage 1/2003:4700 (as NGC MS62 1293449033), $17,250.00 - Goldbergs 9/2006:1800 (as NGC MS62), $20,988.00 - Goldbergs 5/2009:1206 (as NGC MS62 1293449033), $14,950.00 - Cherokee County Collection - Heritage 1/2012:4761 (as NGC MS62 1293449033), $14,950.00 - D.L. Hansen Collection (as PCGS MS62 28944864)
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This is the coin that was purchase in Sept 2020 Heritage Auction. It appear that the D.L. Hansen Collection now has two of the four top pop coins.
Provenance: (StacksBowers 11/2011), lot 9242, realized $17,250; US Coins Signature, (Heritage 9/2020), lot 3695, realized $15,600, D. L. Hansen Collection
1854-C quarter eagle.
Simply the fact that any of these exist at all in MS amazing. To have enough of the in your collection that Currin is not sure which is which is beyond words.
The D.L. Hansen Collection made a few successful bids for coins from the Bruce Morelan’s Early Dollars Collection that was hosted by Legend Rare Coin Auctions. The collection consisted of 15 Early Dollars described by Legend RCA as: fabulous Bruce Morelan Collection of Bust dollars-the finest ever. I don’t think anyone can argue with the statement. The finest set assembled in the registry era and I would also suggest finest of all times. The top three sets are from the Cardinal, Brett Pogue and Bruce Morelan Collections. The Morelan set is the cream of the top three sets. Relating to these coins that were offered last night, there have been several good, informative discussions on this website in the last few weeks. I recommend them as entertaining read if you have not done so.
The sale should be described as a success even though three of the 15 coins were passed. Mr. Morelan’s personal perspective from the sale results particular pertaining to the 1794 specimen was: I’m personally ecstatic that it did not sell at the minimum bid. Finding out about the striking ceremony presentation and forwarding of a coin to Washington AFTER consigning the coin made my heart sink. Seeing all the coins one last time right before the sale made it sink even more. I’ll be happy with my box of 3. The three Early Dollars passed were the 1794, 1797 10X6 Stars, and the Famous 1804 King of Dollars. In his statement, I believe he was referencing third coin as the 1795 13 leaves Gold Eagle and not the 1797 10X6 Stars Dollar.
The two coins that realized the greatest price was the 1795 Off Center and 1796 Small Date Dollars. They realized $705,000 each. The bargain of the night was the 1799/8 15 Stars that realized $88,125. Amazingly, this coin was only one in the set that realized less than six figures. The remaining nine coins realized between $182,125 and $528,750.
With Mr. Morelan keeping three coins, and Mr. Hansen purchasing three coins, the remaining coins were dispersed among several bidders. According to my unofficial tracking of the sale, the nine remaining dollars were purchased by at least six different bidders, may be more. The Morelan Dollars should be represented in several great collections for years to come.
According to my information, there were five Early Dollars in the sale that Mr. Hansen had his eyes on. He was successful in buying three of them. The first one that I will feature today is the 1795 2 Leaves. This coin is not one of the POP 1/0 coins that was offered in the sale. If you are familiar with Mr. Morelan philosophy with his coins, he is not always drawn to the finest coin by grade. Legend’s describe the 1795 coin as: One of the FINEST KNOWN B-1, BB-21 Flowing Hair dollars that exists, period! The coin has a PCGS POP of 1/1 for the variety. The finest 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar, 2 Leaves is the Brett Pogue PCGS MS65 Specimen. The Morelan Specimen is from the Jack Lee Collection which has historically realized considerably higher bids than the Pogue coin. The Lee/Morelan Specimen realized an all-time high bid of $431,250 in a Heritage 1/2008 sale. The Pogue coin realized high of $282,000 in a 9/2015 Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's Auction. I know how hard it is to compare dates and values from different periods of time, so I offer this as general discussion. Just having the finest graded coin may not be the best or most valuable specimen.
From the personal collection of famed Silver Dollar specialists, Jack Lee, this GEM 1795 dollar is a superlative example. But do not take our word for it, here is what Bruce Morelan says in the PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census: “I saw this coin at one of the ANA shows in the mid-2000s. Chris Napolitano showed it to Laura [Sperber] and I in a higher graded holder at the time. It just displayed such beautiful luster, full cartwheel, original golden toning. Everything about the coin I absolutely loved. And once I started building this set, it was the coin that kept popping into my mind as the representative that I wanted of this date, in my set. And I was looking for it, trying to find it, for sale in its previous holder, and eventually it walked up to Legend's table in the new holder, the 64+ holder, and I couldn't buy it fast enough." Another owner comment from Mr. Morelan: I have loved this coin since the moment I saw it a decade ago. At the time, it was in an NGC 65 holder. Aside from the beautiful original golden toning, its strongest attribute is the full and flowing luster across the surfaces. A lovely coin! You can see why Mr. Hansen had his eye on this coin for his collection too. He bypassed two POP 1/0 coins offered in the sale and could have been obtained at lower cost, for this coin that does not have a PCGS POP 1/0 grade. I find this to be interesting.
Legend RCA provides a very detail coin description: Bold, brilliant, and frosty, this satiny lustrous GEM has swirling cartwheels virtually unseen on examples of this type. Totally original golden, russet, and olive-tan patina streak across the pearly-silver surfaces. The splashes and dappled pattern beautifully accent the sharply struck up devices. Crisp for the variety, there is only the slightest trace of softness at the very highest points of Liberty's hair tresses and on the eagle's breast feathers. Otherwise every detail is boldly rendered by an exacting strike; the star centers are crisp, Liberty's eye is sharply defined. Likewise, the eagle's wing feathers and even the veins of the olive wreath are fully wrought by the dies. A remarkable GEM quality example that boasts the most exceptional quality surfaces, devoid of all but the tiniest ticks or trace of contact, and there are no adjustment marks to be found anywhere. In all regards, this coin's quality of manufacture, state of preservation, and eye appeal are truly AMAZING.
The coin has a pedigree that is as amazing as the appearance of the coin. The coin origin was described as: This GEM was bought out of an auction in England sometime in the mid 1980s and was purchased by David Akers and Ed Milas. Various intermediaries including Stu Levine and Chris Napolitano, before being sold to Jack Lee. Mr. Morelan mentions first viewing the coin when Chris Napolitano was showing it. The Pedigree can be traced through several great collections. Legend’s final words on the coin, I will agree: The technical and aesthetic qualities are truly world class and this opportunity should not be taken lightly. For the date or type collector, or anyone who just seeks the FINEST OF THE FINE, this is a coin that should not be missed! This GEM is truly LEGEND QUALITY in the flesh!
Provenance: England Auction, mid 1980s; David Akers; Ed Milas; Stu Levine; Chris Napolitano; Jack Lee Collection, (Heritage 11/2005), lot 2186, realized $391,000; Madison Collection, (Heritage 1/2008) lot 2920, realized $431,250; Joseph C. Thomas Collection (Heritage 4/2009) lot 2533, $276,000; Bruce Morelan Collection, (Legend 10/2020), lot 12, realized $293,750, D.L. Hansen Collection
This posting will feature The D.L. Hansen Collection second coin purchased from the Bruce Morelan’s Early Dollars Collection hosted by Legend Rare Coin Auctions. As described by Legend this coin is Another truly SPECTACULAR GEM Bust dollar with an unbelievable provenance that is as SUPERB as the coin itself! I would describe the Hansen Collection is completed for the twelve basic coins. As reported before, The Collection still needs two coins to complete the Major Variety set, 1798 $1 Large Eagle, Knob 9, 4 Lines and 1800 $1 Wide Dt,Low 8,AMERICAI. Also, I would describe Draped Bust portion of the collection as a work still in progress. Mr. Hansen was successful in obtaining three Morelan Specimens for upgrades to his set, but there are more coins that are needed to reach the class of the top three sets.
The top Morelan set which we sadly witnessed the breakup in the Legend Rare Coin Auction was what I think to be the finest set ever assembled. For the basic set that contains twelve coins, ten coins sold. The Famous 1794 Dollar and 1797 10X6 Stars specimens were not sold. Unfortunately, the Morelan sets have been removed for the registry. I was hoping the set would stay as retired as did the Pogue and Cardinal sets. (Maybe Bruce will let us know why they were taken down, or if they will come back). By memory, the world class set was graded from MS63 to MS66. The set had four PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens which was and still is unprecedented. I think the four coins were purchased by four different buyers, so coming back together will be very difficult.
The number two set was assembled by D. Brent Pogue. At time of retirement, this set was the number one all time set. Another world class set, but with just one weak coin. The 1798 Small Eagle Reverse Specimen was graded MS61. (Note: Mr. Morelan coin was graded MS63, and one of the five coins that Mr. Hansen was watching closely. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to purchase). The remaining eleven Pogue coins were PCGS graded from MS64 to MS66+, on par with Morelan. The set obtained one PCGS POP 1/0 specimen, 1795 Flowing Hair.
The third top set assembled was titled the Cardinal Collection. The key date 1794 dollar was represented by a near gem specimen from the from the F.C.C. Boyd collection. The Cardinal Collection set was not a true PCGS registry set, because the 1794 Dollar was encapsulated by NGC. The famous 1794 Silver Plug Specimen was in the Cardinal Collection but was not represented in the registry set, as it was in the Morelan set. In the Stack's/Bowers 1/2013 sale, the coin realized $10,016,875 with the Cardinal Collection having sold the only $10,000.000 coin in a public auction and Bruce Morelan the only collector to pay $10,000.000 for coin in a public auction. Not to leave out D. Brent Pogue, he happened to be the under bidder. The Cardinal Collection grade range was MS62 to MS65, which is a few points below both the Pogue and Morelan sets.
As I stated, The D.L. Hansen Collection still have work to do to reach this quality level for Early Dollars. In the trio purchased this week, Mr. Hansen replaced three coins graded AU53, AU58, and MS62, with coins graded MS64+, MS65, and MS65. This now upgrades the Hansen Collection to have six coins with grade range from MS64 to MS66 (par with top sets). This leaves the set with six coins that I see as needing to be upgraded. The range is AU53 to MS63, which is not on par with the top sets. By replacing the final six coins probably will not achieved the finest ever, but the Hansen Set would have solid standing in the current top three retired sets.
The 1801 Dollar is described by Ron Guth as: The 1801 Dollar has a low mintage of just over 54,000 coins, which is a low number by any standard, but the 1801 is still an under-appreciated rarity. For example, in the 2012 GUIDEBOOK, the 1801 Dollar is priced the same as the 1800 Dollar in virtually all grades, and shows just a slight premium in MS-60. The reality of the PCGS Population Report shows a different picture. The surviving population of the 1801 Dollar (as of November 2011) is considerably lower any other date of the Heraldic Eagle reverse type, including the 1802, which has a lower mintage just over 41,000 coins. Similarly, the 1801 Dollar has a lower population in Mint State than any other date. This indicates that the pricing on the 1801 Dollar should be higher to account for this difference. PCGS has certified less than a dozen Mint State 1801 Dollars, the finest of which is a single Gem MS-65.
Since the time Ron published this statement, there are now two graded MS65 by PCGS. This Morelan BB-212 Specimen is one. The other is a BB-214 Specimen pedigreed to Green/Carter/Pogue. I am not certain which of these two is the sole MS65 referenced by Ron Guth. The auction record is $399,500 from the 2017 StacksBowers, D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V sale. Just for the record, Legend implied the Morelan coin could be the finest of the two by stating: This B-2, BB-212 is tied for FINEST 1801 dollar of any variety graded by either service with just one other PCGS MS65; and as this coin was graded 65+ by NGC at the time of the Newman sale, it is quite possible that this is the FINEST KNOWN 1801 dollar. It was also noted that Eric Newman choose the Morelan coin over the Pogue: It is interesting to note that the other MS65 is also ex Col. Green Estate, and Eric Newman chose this one to buy out of his partnership with Burdette Johnson for his personal collection.
Legend RCA described the coin as very appealing: A strong cartwheel luster glides brilliantly along both sides, unbroken by any marks or flaws. Spectacular brilliance blooms through the wonderful, original pewter-silver and champagne-gold in the central portions of the design that deepens to rose, russet, and pale blue hues at the peripheral devices. Very sharp in detail, the only area of striking weakness is at the bottom feathers of the eagle's tail; every other detail is razor sharp in its definition. Struck from lightly clashed dies, the surfaces are of exceptional GEM quality and are otherwise free of any disturbances. The eye appeal is truly amazing!
The coin’s pedigree can be traced back more than 125 years. The coin has a great story to tell, but it was not chosen to be included in the Great Pogue Collection. Mr. Morelan picked the coin to be the 1801 representative in his fine collection. Did he choose this coin over the Pogue coin? I am not sure. Maybe he could share with us one day. With his set being closed and taken down, we lost his personal notes on this coin and his others. The coin realized $329,000 in the Newman sale, November 2013. The coin realized $246,750 in Legend Auction for the Morelan Collection. The estimated range was $300,000 to $350,000, so it appears the coin under achieved. The coin is not CAC Approved. I would not think that would have been a problem, but maybe so. Anyway, this great Bruce Morelan specimen has found a happy home for what should be a very long time.
Provenance: Richard B. Winsor Collection, (S.H. & H. Chapman 12/1895) lot 411; John G. Mills Collection; S.H. & H. Chapman, (4/1904) lot 693; George H. Earle, Jr. Collection; Henry Chapman, (6/1912) lot 2718; "Colonel" E.H.R. Green, Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman & B.G. Johnson, St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.), Eric P. Newman, who paid $100.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, (Heritage 11/2013) lot 33511, $329,000; Bruce Morelan Collection of Early Dollars (Legend 10/2020), lot 21, realized $246,750, D.L. Hansen Collection
@lava said:
I can’t wait to see the 3rd acquisition from Bruce. I think the first two selections were great choices.
It would be interesting in there was an after sale offer from Hansen on the 1794 SP66 or 1804 PCGS PF65 dollars. Then again, isn't the Childs PF68 1804 Dollar coming up soon? I haven't been keeping track of coin news lately.
This posting will feature The D.L. Hansen Collection’s third and final coin purchased from the Bruce Morelan’s Early Dollars Collection hosted by Legend Rare Coin Auctions. When I say final, is anything really final? We don’t know how many Morelan Dollars may hit the market in next few months. I have seen quite often a coin not won by Mr. Hansen in public auction will show up in his collection 6-8 months later by a private transaction. I am not saying that will happen, just that it could. There are five or six other coins that sold in the auction that the D. L. Hansen Collection could use for upgrades. We have to watch and see.
As described by Legend RCA, this coin is One of the FINEST, most beautiful, and impressively pedigreed GEM 1802 dollars that exists! A simply stunning coin that is a real prize, even among Bruce's WORLD CLASS, AMAZING early dollars. This is another GEM Draped Bust Dollar with an historic pedigree. The three Morelan coins does not have any impact to the registry rankings, but they do significantly improve the twelve piece set. Prior to the Morelan coins, the set rating was 59.40. In other words, it was an AU set. With the three new coins, the set jumped to 61.343 with six coins between MS64 and MS66. There are still three AU coins that need replacing. Replacing theses coins will not achieved the finest ever, but the Hansen Set would have solid standing in the top three retired sets.
Expert Ron Howard made this comment: Imagine - not one, but TWO Gem MS-65 examples back-to-back! That's the unlikely pleasure I experienced in the PCGS grading room in June, 2010. One example was beautifully toned, the other predominantly white; both were original. Despite my affinity for toning, I thought the whiter example, overall, to be a bit superior. Both were fully struck. Thank you to whomever submitted this remarkable pair! We cannot be sure which certified PCGS MS-65 coins that Mr. Howard was speaking of. By PCGS POP report, there have been five coins certified as GEM MS65, with only one of then having a plus. The finest MS65+ is the Clark-Starr-Flannagan-Cardinal Specimen that is in the Bob Simpson Collection. The coin will go on auction in a November Heritage Sale. I think everyone should know now that Mr. Hansen will probably not be bidding on that coin.
Henry Chapman, said in 1907: Perfection, and while I have seen several superb dollars of this year, yet I feel that this is the finest specimen. A gem." Is the Simpson Specimen a better coin? In the Pouge sale it was stated: The only example of this date to ever receive a higher grade, or at least whatever decimalized advantage a plus sign suggests, is the T. James Clarke-Starr-Flannagan-Cardinal BB-241, a multicolored gem responsible for two different listings in the Bowers censuses of 1993 and 2013. This piece presents a very different sort of aesthetic, and it's easy to imagine different connoisseurs choosing either this coin or that one as the one that best suits their preferences. As a connoisseur, Mr. Morelan chose this coin. Would he rather have the Simpson Coin? I am not sure. Hopefully one day he will comment on the three coins purchased by Mr. Hansen.
I know Mr. Morelan loved to trace his coins as far back to the US Mint as possible. This is a story told about the coin: By 1907, Henry Chapman had been a full time numismatist for 30 years. His career began in the shop of John Haseltine as a teenager alongside his brother, who most called "Hudson." They undertook to begin their own company, established as a partnership, in 1878. It endured until the summer of 1906, when each hung out his own shingle on amicable terms. They were barely out of adolescence when they cataloged and sold the collection of Charles I. Bushnell in 1882, a collection that had largely been assembled decades earlier. They studiously presented the cabinets of Thomas Warner, English collector E. Shorthouse, the great Thomas Cleneay of Cincinnati, Nicholas Petry, John G. Mills, the former dealer Harlan Page Smith, and dozens more. After embarking on his own, Henry Chapman was hired to offer the cabinet of Matthew A. Stickney, a legend in the field, who had collected eagerly in the 1830s and 1840s, to 1854. Many of the choicest American coins extant found their way into his cabinet in Salem, Massachusetts before he retired from active collecting more than a decade before the death of Lincoln. Stickney traded with the Mint Cabinet, managing to improve both his collection and theirs, obtaining coins that would be impossible to find anywhere else. Thirty years into a numismatist's career, it is easy to suffer from a jaded eye. Henry Chapman was 48 years old in 1907. He had seen the best cabinets and known the great collectors. His Quaker modesty made his cataloging straightforward, sometimes terse, rarely fit with fancy. His description of this coin stands out against the backdrop of his typical cataloging style: "Perfection, and while I have seen several superb dollars of this year, yet I feel that this is the finest specimen. A gem." This extraordinary survivor was acquired by John H. Clapp at the Stickney sale and remained off the market for 90 years. This auction represents its third offering since before 1854.
The story on this coin ends as rich as it started. John H. Clapp sold his collection intact to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. in 1942. This coin was one of the many GEMs that were obtained in that sale. It could qualify as the best sale ever. I wonder what that sale would realize today? For more than 50 years, the coin remained in the Eliasberg Collection until 1997. The cataloger of the Eliasberg Collection, which is its second auction appearance (April 1997, lot 2196), the following was said: "A superb specimen with light lilac and gray toning over lustrous and somewhat golden surfaces. Satiny and smooth, a gem of simply exquisite character." In the Bowers & Merena Auction, the coin realized $165,000. The pedigree is sketchy after the Eliasberg sale and I am not certain if Mr. Pogue purchased the coin in the Eliasberg sale. According to the Pedigree, the last eighty years the coin has been in four world class collections, Eliasberg, Pogue, Morelan, and Hansen. This is the way Legend’s described the history: With a pedigree that dates to the first half of the 19th century and has only appeared in auction three times since 1907, it has been a part of some of the absolutely FINEST and most FAMOUS of coin collections, beginning with Matthew A. Stickney and ending with our consignor, Bruce Morelan! Incorrect! Not ending with Bruce Morelan, rather continuing with Dell Loy Hansen.
Usually there is a reason for a coin to have a rich history, and for most of the time it’s the coin’s amazing beauty. Living up to the appeal promised by its legendary provenance, this majestic and fully lustrous gem stands among the finest survivors of this design type. Its cartwheel is indefatigable, resembling that found on a dollar struck a century later. The apparent brilliance of the surfaces yields richer peripheral toning of deeper gray and navy blue under a good light. The visual appeal would be difficult to exceed. Free of significant marks and showing only the most trivial hairlines, this piece's preservation is spectacular. A few light marks are noted at the central obverse, including a vertical abrasion that jogs down Liberty's neck, but the fields are pristine. Struck resoundingly on both sides and free of adjustment marks and planchet issues, this coin is as good an exemplar of the design as any in this offering.
The Bruce Morelan’s Early Dollars Collection had a little over a dozen amazing coins. Mr. Hansen picked five for his set. He won three of them. I think we can now understand why he wanted this coin in particular. He could have waited for the higher grade Simpson MS65+ Specimen next month. Why wait when you have this GEM available. I say it was a good choice, do you? Oh! I forgot to mention, the coin is a CAC Approved if that matters to you.
Provenance: Matthew A. Stickney Collection, (Henry Chapman 6/1907), Lot 1116; John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, (Bowers & Merena 4/1997) lot 2196, realized $165,000; Bruce Morelan Collection of Early Dollars (Legend 10/2020), lot 23, realized $270,250, D.L. Hansen Collection
Spending the last few days discussing the Morelan Early Dollars have been fun, but nothing is more exciting than gold. A US Three Dollar Gold piece just makes it even more exciting. A US Three Dollar MS68 Gold piece is thrilling. A US Three Dollar MS68 Gold piece in one of the finest ever PCGS registry sets is electrifying. You get the point. In most collections, a coin like what we will see today would be the centerpiece. In the Hansen set, this is the third MS68 specimen! According to the PCGS POP report, only four coins have been certified MS68 from the total population of coins minted from 1854 to 1889. They are 1854 MS68, 1863 MS68, and 1867 MS68. With this new purchase, the Hansen Collection have all three of these coin in the set. The fourth coin is the finest PCGS certified for the denomination, 1863 MS68+. This coin has been pedigreed from The David & Sharron Akers Collection. The coin last sold in a Heritage 2014 January FUN US Coin Signature Auction for $211,500. The coin was housed in a MS67 PCGS holder, so it has been upgrade to a MS68+ in the last 4 years. This coin is presently in the BigMo Collection and will be coming to auction soon.
As stated, the D. L. Hansen Collection has one of the finest all-time Three Dollar circulation strike sets. The set is second to the D. Brent Pogue Collection, but not by much. We had not seen much activity in the set before this latest upgrade. The last upgrade posted 10/11/2019. The set consists of 100% PCGS Condition Census Top 5 coins.
16 coins are PCGS POP 1/0. Sole finest certified by PCGS
12 coins are tied for finest certified by PCGS
8 coins have only one PCGS coins certified finer, including the new 1863 MS68.
2 coins have only two PCGS coins certified finer
2 coins have only three PCGS coins certified finer
As good as this set is, the set is second to the Pogue set by 0.07 grade points and 0.04 bonus points. The set has a GEM average grade of 65.01. This is a very high grade considering the toughness of the 40 coins required in the set. PCGS describe the set as: The $3 gold piece was first issued in 1854, and the series lasted until 1889. While several dates were hoarded to a limited extent, most $3 gold issues are rare in any mint state grade, let alone in MS65 or better. It is a series filled with tiny mintages. In 1883, for instance, only 900 business strikes were made. The mintage for 1881 is 500. In 1885 there were 801 pieces struck. For 1873 the mintage is believed to be 100 coins. Key dates? There are lots of them, including 1854-D, the only Dahlonega Mint $3 gold piece. PCGS has graded only four examples mint state. Then there’s the 1854-O, the only New Orleans $3 gold piece. PCGS has graded hundreds of specimens, but only two in mint state. For the 1855-S, PCGS has graded two coins mint state. In these three cases, the highest grade is only MS-62! The set lowest grade coin is a MS61, 1854-D. There is one coin finer, a MS62. The coin is from the D. Brent Pogue Collection that sold in 2016 for $188,000. The current location this is coin is not known. This could be the upgrade that puts the set over the top.
1863 Three Dollar MS68, Ex: Pogue/Jung
I wish I knew how many Pogue coins are in today’s D. L. Hansen Collection. Seem like a new Pogue coin is added every week. If you recall, one of the coins purchased from the Morelan set was an Ex:Pogue. The 1863 Three Dollar MS68 was sold in the StacksBowers, The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part III sale. Interesting, the coin was proclaimed as: Far and Away the Finest Seen by PCGS. The listing went on to state: This impressive $3 is one of only three examples of the entire denomination to receive the Mint State-68 designation from PCGS, a threesome that also includes an 1854 and an 1867; no Proofs of the denomination of any date have received a 68 rating. This beauty is the only MS-68 of the date and the finest certified by PCGS, making for a shoo-in for a Registry Set or other world-class $3 cabinet. As near to perfection as one is likely to come in the series and a lot that will be a focal point of this offering. I would assume the Auction Record Akers Specimen was still in an Old Green Holder graded MS67 in 2016.
The Pogue sale gave provenance the Great Lakes Collection. I am not completely certain, but I believe Mr. Pogue acquired the coin from Larry Hanks, by sale, en bloc, October 2005. In the Pogue Auction, the coin realized $123,375 and was described as: Deep yellow-gold with sunset-orange iridescence here and there characterizes this superb gem. A bright light source brings forth pale blue and olive highlights. The strike is fairly bold with only a hint of weakness at the reverse bow. The dies clashed at least twice before this specimen was struck as witnessed by the double outlines on both sides. The present gem Uncirculated $3 offers near-perfect beauty and physical quality. Search as we might with an 8X loupe, we detect no marks of any substance on the obverse. The same holds true for the reverse where just a tiny planchet disturbance is noted in the dentils at 12:00, mentioned for accuracy and probably in the planchet when struck.
The coin appeared earlier this year in Heritage’s April 2020 Central States US Coins Signature Auction. Interesting, we know the coin was in Mr. Jung’s Type Set Collection. It remains the all-time finest set ever assembled. The set was retired on 8/3/2019. I believe this to one of the coins that did not find a home in the private transactions that pursued. By Mr. Jung, an agent, or a new owner, the coin was placed in the April Heritage sale. For some reason, there was no mention in the Heritage sale that the coin was from the Jung Type Set Collection which I find odd.
The coin popped up as being offer for sale by David Lawrence Rare Coins in August and September. The listing stated: 1863 $3 PCGS/CAC MS68 ex: Pogue, Magnificent example of one of our favorite dates from the Civil War period. With a mintage of 5,000 pieces, far fewer survive today. The present example comes from a population of one with just a single example graded finer, a MS68+. Remarkably preserved surfaces are a lovely deep yellow-gold with pale blue highlights and touches orange iridescence throughout. The strike is boldly executed with strong clash marks on both sides. The fields are completely devoid of distraction and radiate vibrant mint luster. Unmatched eye appeal! CAC approved for quality. It does not mention the coin as being from the Hansen Collections which leads me to believe the coin was owned by either DLRC or a consignor. It took more than 12 months before this specimen finally landed in The Collection. Why was that? Did Mr. Hansen really like his 1863 MS64 Certification #30132480 specimen and he did not want to replace it? Doubt it. Was he holding out to chase the Top POP BigMo coin? Maybe. It is interesting that after more than 12 months, Mr. Hansen decided to rescue the coin. Will the coin’s life in the Hansen Top set be short lived and soon replaced with BigMo coin? This is what makes watching the collection grow so interesting.
Provenance: Great Lakes Collection; Larry Hanks; purchased by D. Brent Pogue in October of 2005; D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part III (Stack's Bowers/Sotheby's, 2/2016), lot 3104, realized $123,375; Oliver Jung Type Set Collection; Central States US Coins Signature (Heritage 4/2020), lot 3783, realized $117,000; David Lawrence Rare Coins, Ask $162,500, D. L. Hansen Collection.
1863 Three Dollar MS68, PCSG POP 1/1 Certification #32219423, PCGS #7984 PCGSGV: $155,000 / Ask $162,500 Ex: Pogue/Jung
Amazing coin.
I too wonder why coins are offered on DLRC for months and then Hansen adds them. Seems like there is some intent to sell for a bigger profit and if not, Hansen backstops the coin and adds it for a presumably lesser price.
@Boosibri said:
Amazing coin.
I too wonder why coins are offered on DLRC for months and then Hansen adds them. Seems like there is some intent to sell for a bigger profit and if not, Hansen backstops the coin and adds it for a presumably lesser price.
There could be other reasons. Perhaps it doesn't fit into Hansen's budget earlier?
This is a popular 24 piece gold set, but difficult. PCGS described the set as: In 1908 the transition was made from the long-lived $5 Liberty series (1839-1908) to the radically designed $5 Indian. Both the $5 and $2 1/2 Indian gold pieces were introduced in 1908, and both carried the incuse design, never seen before (or since) on a United States coin. The $5 Indian series is filled with rarities. In fact, 15 of the 24 dates have a population of seven or less in MS65! Two of the 24 dates are unknown in MS65 or better, or at least uncertified. PCGS has graded well over 40,000 $5 Indians in all dates and grades, but barely 300 have qualified as MS65 or better. Key dates of the series in any mint state grade include the 1908-S, 1909-O, 1909-S, 1910-S, 1911-D, 1912-S, 1913-S, 1914-S, 1915-S, and 1929.
There are 42 current registry sets, and more than 50 all-time. As popular as this set is, this is not a set that we have discussed here very often. I cannot remember the last time. Main reason, this is not one of the sets that Mr. Hansen appear to be focused on. Also, it is one of the few sets that he is not on the leader board. Currently the Hansen set is #6 in the All-Time rankings.
Jim O’Neal is the name that comes to mind when you think about Indian Half Eagles. The Collection of Indian Half Eagles that he assembled has never been surpassed. He retired his set about 10 years ago. Sadly for whatever reason, he never obtained the PCGS Hall of Fame. All his coins were PCGS Condition Census Top Five except three. The set had six sole finest, PCGS POP 1/0, and five others tied for finest. I predict this set will remain at the top of the leaderboard for the foreseeable future.
Number two on the board is Dr. Thaine B. Price. His set is described as: He collected coins for over two decades. His goal was to assemble the finest possible set of 20th Century gold series, i.e. the four series minted from 1908 to 1933. Dr. Price had a great eye for quality and he was assisted in his pursuit by one of the top experts/dealers in the field, David Akers. Dr. Price also decided to put together the finest possible set of circulation strike Barber half dollars, and he also built a nearly complete set of Gem proof Barber halves. When David Akers auctioned the Price collection in 1998, it was one of the major events of the year, even though the auction only had 213 coins. The Price collection of $5 Indians was spectacular, perhaps the best ever assembled. The set featured many Gems and Superb Gems, including some "finest known" specimens. The key 1909-O was the Eliasberg coin and it brought a mind-boggling $374,000 at the 1998 Price sale. The rare 1910-S was also the Eliasberg coin. The key 1913-S was a spectacular MS66 and it brought $110,000 at the Price sale. The 1915-S was a gorgeous MS65 and it brought $66,000 at the Price sale.
Number Three is from Dr. and Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Collection. The set is described as: The toughest 20th century gold series to assemble are the $5 Indians. My collection is highlighted by the ultra-rare 1909-0 in 65, 1909-S in 66, 1910-S and 1911-S in 65, finest known 1913-S in 66, and 1929 in 65. This collection was certified by PCGS in 1989, many of the grades would be even higher today. Of the remaining issues most were gems!! Although the complete set was auctioned in the David Akers section of Auction '90, many of the prices achieved have yet to be broken.
Number Four is the Kutasi Collection. The set was retired in 2005 and the reached as high as number three in the registry. The set was described as: After completing this set, it dawned on me how tough and underappreciated this series really is. I would consider the 1914-s to be the rarest of the series in high grade. In MS65 even the common dates at one time sold for double where they are today. The set is highlighted by a superb 1914-s, a near gem 1909-o, and a very pq 1915-s, 1913-s and 1910-s. The rare 1929 is an also a gem. Half of the coins of this set are pop top and 90% have only 1 or two graded higher! Wrapping up the leaderboard is the second registry set of The Jim O'Neal Collection Of Indian Half Eagles. There is one significant set that was on the leaderboard but now is missing.
For the last decade, Bob Simson set has been the top of the current sets. As can be seen, his set received the ten year ribbon last year. Sadly, the set has been desecrated, dropping from #2 All-Time to 30th. We know part of his collection is being sold by Heritage Auction. Why was the set not retired like many of the other great sets? It is not limited to the Indian Half Eagles, but all of his sets are being dishonored. My theory is this. From his recent video, he told us collecting sets were not important to him. That would lead me to believe that he never was a registry person, and probably never added a single coin himself. Then who did it for him and why? Sadly, whoever that was appear not to care anymore, and is allowing his sets to die a cruel death on the vine. This is very sad indeed.
In The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part I Heritage Auction, there were nine of his Indian Half Eagles circulating strikes that were sold. To my knowledge, Mr. Hansen did not purchase any of them. The next five sales will be offering as follows:
Two in November Sale
Two in January FUN Sale
Five in February Sale
Seven in April Sale
Only one Indian Half Eagle circulating strike specimen will be offered at the last auction in August 2021, and that coin will be a 1911-D MS65. What a way to bring a conclusion to the Indian Half Eagles. Will Mr. Hansen pickup any of these GEMs in the future? This recent purchase may show some interest turning to the Indian Half Eagles. We can watch and see.
1914 Indian Half Eagle, MS66, POP 2/0, CAC Approved
When I first saw this update, the first thing come to my mind was that Mr. Hansen purchased one of the Simpson Indian Half Eagles on a post auction rebound. When I looked it up, it was not the Simpson coin that he purchased but another 1914 Indian Half Eagle, PCGS MS66 Specimen. As I stated earlier, there were nine Indian Half Eagle CS specimens offered in the first sale, with one being the 1914 Five Dollar Indian, MS66 that realized $168,000. PCGS valued the coin at $100,000. The coin is the Jim O'Neal specimen and was marketed as The Sole Finest at PCGS. The population given was: 1 in 66, 0 finer. CAC: 2 in 66, 0 finer (8/20). If I read this correctly, there appear to be one PCGS MS66 CAC specimen and one other, probably NGC MS66 CAC. The NGC report still shows one MS66, but I believe that is now false. In the Heritage Auction description: The 1914 Indian half eagle is scarcer than earlier Philadelphia issues in the series, and the collecting challenge begins to become noticeable in grades above MS63. In MS65, this date is properly scarce, and that grade is the finest that most collectors deem this issue accessible. Just two higher-grade pieces are reported, one at PCGS and one at NGC, both designated MS66. Between those two, only the PCGS coin -- offered here -- has ever appeared at auction. This piece highlighted our 2011 FUN Signature sale as part of the Jim O'Neal Collection and realized a record-setting $126,500. It has not appeared at auction since, and one can only guess the sort of collector demand that it will encounter when it crosses the auction block at the ANA.
The details of the coin are a not complete mystery. NGC published an article on the 1914 MS66 NGC coin. The article was posted 8/28/2020 and titled: High-grade NGC-certified 1914 Half Eagle in GreatCollections Sale. The articled stated: An exceptionally well-preserved 1914 Half Eagle is among the NGC-certified rarities being offered by GreatCollections in sales ending Sunday, August 30, 2020. Graded NGC MS 66, it is the single-highest among nearly 3,000 in the NGC Census. Bidding had already exceeded $63,000 two days before the auction ends. A conditional rarity, the 1914 Half Eagle is relatively easy to find in lower Mint State grades but nearly impossible to find at this grade. The Indian Head series was issued annually from 1908 to 1916, and returned for a last hurrah in 1929. The Hotlisted coin had 42 bids and in the end realized $70,933.88 with buyers fees. Eighteen days later, the O'Neal/ Simpson Specimen brought $168,000, just shy of $100,000 more!
I cannot say for sure if Mr. Hansen or his team purchased the coin in the GreatCollections Sale. It would be very rare that they buy a NGC coin and hope to cross it over. Keep in mind, a PCGS MS 65 coin is valued at $12,000 and a PCGS MS 65+ coin is valued at $20,000. I have heard John Brush say buying NGC coins and crossing them is not a risk they see as necessary. The risk was definitely high, but in this case it certainly paid off for someone. I cannot find the coin ever being marketed in the PCGS holder. I am not able to determine any additional pedigree information on this specimen. If Ron Guth or anyone else can help, it would be appreciated?
Without knowing more, this is a really nice upgrade to the Indian Half Eagle CS set that looks like now is showing some progress. The set now has eight PCGS Condition Census Top Five specimens, including three certified as tied for finest by PCGS. The centerpiece is the 1908 Indian Half Eagle, MS76+, CAC, POP 1/0.
1914 Indian Half Eagle, MS66, CAC Approved Certification #40222594, PCGS #8527, POP 2/0 PCGSGV: $100,000 / Unknown
Comments
Let’s be careful please with our posts and not get this thread locked.
Thanks Catbert for the comment and warning. Yes, let’s end this discussion with this post. I have plans to report a great new Simpson coin in this afternoon update. So everyone, please hold the comments or start a new thread. Thanks in advance.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Virtue signal much!
Bob Simpson Upgrade #3
This is the third coin from the first Bob Simpson Mega sale offered by Heritage Auctions. Mr. Simpson stated, “The results exceeded every expectation I had”. The auctioneer described the sale as “Numismatic royalty.” The results were amazing. The Pogue Coins were called “Masterpieces”. I think the Simpson coins could be called masterpieces too.
For those that have been watching the Hansen Collection, you can occur the main priority is improving and adding to the HOF circulating strike set, although the collection has slowly but consistently picked up needed coins in the Proof Collection. The Collection started January 1 this year having completed 74.76% of the set. The 1145 piece set, with this update, is now 75.80% completed. I know 1% improvement does not sound like much, but to added 12 high end proof coins is a very significant accomplishment. All new additions are either gold proofs or pre-1853 non-gold. These coins do not come cheap. As many of you know, Bob Simpson have a few more proofs being offered that is needed in this collection. It will be interesting to watch to see if any of the future sales will produce any additional proofs.
1907 Liberty Head, PR67CAM, Ex: Simpson
The mintage on this coin is given to be 92. PCGS places the survival estimate at 75 coins, with 25 GEM or better. Expert David Akers comment: Proofs are rare and are seen less often than any of the other proofs from 1900 to 1906. PCGS POP report has 53 certified. How many of these have been sent in more than once, we have no way to know. The important point, there is a sole PCGS PR67CAM. That coin was previously in the Bob Simpson Collection.
Heritage described the coin as “Final Liberty Proof Issue, Single-Finest PCGS Example”. The coin is in one of Simpson’s new PCGS holders which makes more difficult to trace the provenance. The coin is described as: This spectacular Superb Gem proof displays razor-sharp definition throughout, with full star centers and fine detail on Liberty's hair strands and the eagle's feathers. The vivid yellow-gold surfaces are impeccably preserved, with a small cloudy spot at the reverse rim, near the second T in STATES, the only useful pedigree marker. The unusually frosty devices contrast boldly with the deeply mirrored fields and eye appeal is terrific. This coin is pictured on PCGS CoinFacts and is the plate coin for John Dannreuther's United States Proof Coins.
If you are cataloging the new coins as they enter the collection, then this coin is 868/1145. These coins in high grade condition do not show up often in auction. The Simpson specimen is all time first for PCGS PR67 certified. Three times a NGC PR67 has been auctioned. First appearance was in a 2004 Heritage Auctions, ANA Signature Sale for a NGC PR67 from The John Michael Stuart Collection. The coin realized $50,600. The next appearance was a 2004 Bowers & Merena Rarities Auction for NGC PR67 from The Rod Sweet Collection. The coin realized $48,300. The last appearance was in a 2008 Goldberg’s Pre-Long Beach Auction for a NGC PR67 from Ohringer Family Trust Collection. The coin realized $54,625. The Simpson PCGS PR67CAM Specimen realized an auction record price of $72,000.
In matching auction images, the Simpson specimen appears to be the John Michael Stuart specimen sold 2004. If Simpson purchased the coin the 2004 Heritage Auctions, ANA Signature Sale, then he held the coin for about 16 years. I have no way of knowing for certain. The coin was described by Heritage as: A needle-sharp Superb Gem with radiant pale gold devices and imposing deeply mirrored fields. Thorough examination under a loupe fails to reveal any remotely noticeable hairlines. A pair of tiny planchet flaws (as made) near the arrowheads are of mint origin and will provide pedigree markers for any future auction appearances of this magnificent specimen. The final year of proof Liberty Half Eagle production, although business strikes of the type were coined in Philadelphia dated 1908. Proofs can be identified by a bold diagonal die line (as made) west of the initial vertical stripe of the shield. As of (7/04), NGC has certified only two 1907 proof Half Eagles as PR67 Cameo, with none finer. NGC has not encapsulated any examples as Ultra Cameo, and among non-Cameos, the finest graded by that service is PR65. Hence, the present piece is tied with one other coin as the finest certified, since PCGS has not graded any at or above the PR67 level. If you were paying attention to detail, the pedigree marker here in 2004 is different than given in the Simpson Sale. Still, I believe the coin has both markers and are the same coin. If you feel differently, please let us know.
There were other proofs offered in the sale, but there were only two that were missing in The Hansen Collection. The 1907 Half Eagle that was purchased and the other was 1911 Indian Head Half Eagle, PR68, Top Condition Census Rarity, Finest at Auction in More Than 10 Years. This coin was a NGC certified coin that appears not aggressive sought for The Collection, maybe it was. The coin realized $120,000 by a phone bid. I wonder who the under bidder may have been. As you know, Mr. Simpson will not offering many of his amazing gold coins in upcoming auctions, including proofs. The few that are coming to auction, it will certainly be interesting to watch in the future.
Provenance: John Michael Stuart (Heritage, 8/2004), lot #7361, realized $50,600; Bob R. Simpson (Heritage, 9/2020), lot #10143, realized $72,000, D.L. Hansen Collection
1907 Liberty Head, PR67CAM, Ex: Simpson
Certification #40322951, PCGS # 88502, PCGS POP 1/0
PCGSGV: $80,000 / realized $72,000
Ex: Simpson
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Currin, I admire the effort you have done to keep us updated on Mr. Hanson's quest. Now your job has become harder but just know there are readers here who appreciate it. As for Mr. Hanson, Thank You sir for letting us follow along in your pursuit. As for the naysayers, if they had the financial means they would do the same as you sir. They're just jealous.
Nice top pop upgrades!
Thanks @Currin!
Great job Currin. You really are providing the service of a US numismatic historian and i know you do it for the love of the hobby. Its quite possible that the book derived from your blog will essential reading for collectors in 50 years! Just keep having fun and we will keep having fun with you.
Bob Simpson Upgrade #4
This is the fourth coin from the first Bob Simpson Mega sale offered by Heritage Auctions. The Heritage sale of half of his collection has provided the numismatic community an avenue to get to know Mr. Simpson in a more in-depth way. Most of the prior information was coming from just one source and certainly not directly from Mr. Simpson. I, for one, certainly enjoyed his 20 minute interview by Robert Wilonsky, featuring Todd Imhof. The interview had a couple points that Mr. Simpson described that made me take note. For one, he said, history is more important to him than grade or appearance. I found that to be an interesting point. This means as a collector, he views coins more in align as the way an art collector would view a van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, etc. I think for most of us, we seek grade or appearance or both, with some of us choosing one over the other. Without revealing more, if you have time, watch the interview.
This update features a coin that fits in the gold one dollar sets, the Civil War sets, the Dahlonega Branch Mint sets, and if we give it some thought, maybe more. As with four out of five Simpson purchases, this coin upgrades an existing coin. The coin being replaced is an AU55 POP CAC Approved, POP 10/22. There were fifteen gold one dollars offered in Simpson’s first sale. This coin and one other Dahlonega, 1855-D are the only coins that realized six figures. The remaining 13 gold dollars realized $6,900 to $72,000 for the 1875 G$1 MS66+ PCGS. CAC Approved. The 1855-D MS64 realized $144,000 and I am not sure the story on that coin.
1861-D Gold One Dollar MS64+, Ex: Simpson
I find this to be a very fascinating coin. It is the closest that you find as a GEM 1861-D G$1. In fact, some individuals might call the coin the sole GEM. The coin sold twice as a MS65 NGC certified coin. The first appearance was a Heritage, 1/2006 sale of The Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold. The coin realized an auction record of $138,000. The coin was described as: The 1861-D is the rarest and most famous gold dollar from this mint. It is also the single most coveted coin from Dahlonega, as it is the only regular issue that was produced entirely by the Confederacy. After the Mint was seized in April 1861, between 1,000 and 1,500 examples were struck by Rebel forces. It is unlikely that more than five to six dozen are known today. Interestingly, more of these exist in high grade than one might expect, and there are probably more than a dozen pieces in Uncirculated. This is almost certainly due to the fact that examples were saved as souvenirs.
The coin set another auction record in a Heritage, 1/2009 sale. The coin was from The Madison Collection and realized $149,000 in a MS65 NGC holder. The auctioneer described the coin as: There are three really great 1861-D gold dollars known: the Duke's Creek coin, the present specimen, graded MS65 by NGC; the Ullmer-Pierce coin graded MS64 by PCGS, currently in an Alabama collection; the Green Pond/Eliasberg coin graded MS63 by PCGS, last sold by Heritage in January 2004. We would be not be surprised if this coin, the single finest graded at either service, set an all-time record for a Dahlonega gold coin, given the demand for Condition Census rare coins with great stories. The coin did break the record that was set three years previously.
In the Heritage description in the Simpson sale, the auctioneer described the coin as: This high-end MS64+ representative is listed at the top of Doug Winter's Condition Census and serves as the plate coin in his series reference. As the finest example of this numismatically and historically significant key-date gold dollar -- a coin that has been off the market for 12 years -- we expect spirited bidding from advanced branch mint gold and Civil War coinage specialists. It appear Mr. Simpson held the coin for 12 years and that would make purchasing the coin in the Heritage, 1/2009 sale about right. If he purchased the coin for $149,000, then it sold 12 years later at $180,000 in a lower grade in a PCGS holder. There is no CAC sticker on this coin. Does it matter? Would the coin have realized more?
Heritage described the coin as “A distinct appearance contributes, in part, to the charm of the 1861-D gold dollar. It is always found with a weak strike on the obverse, and this example is no exception. The UN in UNITED is soft, though it is actually more distinct than usual. The IC in AMERICA is also incomplete but, again, more fully defined than on nearly any other example of the 1861-D gold dollar we have seen. There is some weakness on the left side of the denticles, diagnostic for the issue. The remarkable reverse probably has the fullest strike we have seen on an 1861-D. The date and mintmark are full, while DOLLAR is complete, except for the O. There are multiple clash marks present -- heaviest near the R in DOLLAR. They also appear along the portrait. Partial reflectivity in the left obverse field is likely a result of mint personnel attempting to remove the clash marks. The surfaces are clean with only one tiny, shallow tick in the left obverse field and another shallow mark on Liberty's cheek. These serve as excellent identifiers for future pedigree information. Mint luster is exceptionally frosty for this or any other Dahlonega product. Rich orange-gold color graces the obverse, with hazel highlights at the center and toward the edge; the reverse is slightly lighter, deepening to an olive hue around the border.
This coin was a nice pickup for The Collection. Legends have been announced that Part 2 of the BigMo Civil War Collection will be the anchor to Regency 42 Auction slated for December 3rd in Las Vegas, NV. The BigMo coins are from a multimillion dollar collection that focuses on the rarer gold issues of the Civil War era, with many Condition Census and Pop Top issues. This great Simpson purchase may not be the last of the Civil War golds that we will see. Plan to watch in early December.
Provenance: Dr. Philip Weinstein; Tony Terranova; Stack's; Leon Farmer Collection; Hancock and Harwell; The Jeffrey Fisher-Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold (Heritage, 6/2006), lot 1493, realized $138,000; Madison Collection / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2008), lot 3050, realized $149,000; Bob R. Simpson (Heritage, 9/2020), lot #10143, realized $180,000, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1861-D Gold Dollar, MS64+, PCGS POP 1/0
Struck by Confederate Authority, Famous Series Key, The Finest Known
Certification # 40323807, PCGS # 7559
PCGSGV: $160,000 / realized $180,000
Ex: Duke Creek/Simpson
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
That 1861-D is a great coin
Latin American Collection
Amazing coin! I’m glad DLH added it to his collection. I’m told we should ‘stretch’ for great coins. For me, this one would have led to a debilitating hernia!
I was going to make a general comment about gold dollars and then I remembered what my mother told me...
Smitten with DBLCs.
Nice new addition. I enjoy gold dollars. They are gold, old, small mintages, often can be found in gem or better, great history, and you get alot of value.
Unlike the 61-D $5 which cannot be 100% confirmed to have been minted by the Confederates, the 1861-D $1 is most certainly a Confederate issue. One of my favorite US issues but so dang tiny!
Latin American Collection
It's great to see a top pop Duke Creek in the collection! I didn't know Simpson had these. How many Duke Creek coins did Simpson have?
Here's the running upgrade list:
My memory is that the Duke Creek coins were all NGC (im not 100% on this) so that may limit their inclusion in a pcgs registry set unless they cross
Yes, they were NGC and it seems like this coin lost the provenance when crossed to PCGS. It’s only via the Heritage description, not the PCGS cert, that we know it's a Duke Creek coin.
I think DLH upgraded his 1796 no stars to an AU58.
Bob Simpson Upgrade #5
This is the fifth and final coin from the first Bob Simpson Mega sale offered by Heritage Auctions. The Heritage sale Part 1 of this great collection offered 349 amazing coins with 183 of the pattern variety. In this first sale, The collection did not acquire any patterns. The five coins purchase, four was upgrades to the collection with one new addition, 1907 Liberty Head, PR67CAM, These coins fits the goals and objectives that have been described for this collection. With somewhere around a thousand patterns remaining, only time will tell if a few of them actually ends up in The Collection.
I think for me, the best purchase that we saw was the 1861-D One Dollar Gold. It is such a tough old branch mint with an unique historic story, much less in the Pop 1/0 condition as the Simpson specimen. The most expensive coin obtained is the feature coin today, 1831 Quarter Eagle MS66+ Prooflike. This is the first Capped Bust $2.5 specimen to be given prooflike grade by PCGS. It may not be the last. Expert David Akers describes: Obviously very scarce as a date, but a relatively large number of choice examples exist. Like the preceding two dates, generally well struck. The strike and finish on the specimen is amazing for the coin not to be a proof. The coin may have been offered as a proof sometime in the past, but I think PCGS has the grade correct. It is an amazing circulating strike coin.
In PCGS holders, only five Capped Bust Type 3, Small Diameter Quarter Eagle Proof coins have been certified, for dates 1829-1834 and all are for the year 1831. The number of resubmissions are not known. Scott Rubi said about the proofs: The 1831 Proof Quarter Eagle is an extremely rare coin. There are probably not more than five true Proofs of this issue. Historically, Proof specimens of this year have been offered at auction at a ratio of about one out of every five listings, but most of the coins described as proofs are really prooflike business strikes. With a mintage of only 4,520, and most of the coins well struck, it appears that many of the business strikes were show prooflike surfaces. This is one date that should be certified in order to prove it is a true Proof striking. The auction records I have reviewed dating back to 1855 show that ninety-six out of five hundred and seven auction sales claim to have been for Proof specimens. This number is obviously overstated because of the many Prooflikes being offered as Proofs.
David Akers said about the proofs: Approximately five or six proofs are known. According to PCGS auction data, the last appearance for the 1831 Quarter Eagle Proof certified by PCGS was in January 2016 for a PR63 Cameo that realized $111,625. This is the only PCGS appearance and seven for NGC since the Eliasberg Gold Collection that sold in 1982.
1831 Quarter Eagle MS66+ Prooflike, Ex: Simpson
PCGS glossary describes PL as: Prooflike Term to designate a coin that has mirror-like surfaces, the term especially applicable to Morgan dollars. Those Morgan dollars that meet PCGS prooflike standards are designated PL. The designation has recently been expanded to include coins other that Morgan Dollars. On July 2, 2019 in an announcement, Now, all qualifying mint state U.S. and world coins, tokens and medals can be PCGS-certified as PL PCGS noted: According to PCGS standards, a coin’s surface is Prooflike when there is a clear reflection in the fields on both sides as viewed from two to four inches away. A cloudy effect or striations may impede the reflectivity. This Ex: Simpson coin certainly displays the required reflectivity. I am not sure when the coin received the Prooflike designation, but I believed it was regraded just before the sale.
The rarity of the coin was described in Heritage 2020 September sale of Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection: Mint records indicate a production of 4,520 quarter eagles in 1831 with no more than 125 of those surviving today. Mintages of the type from 1829 to 1834 varied slightly, ranging from a low of 3,403 pieces in 1829 to a high of 4,540 coins in 1830. Only a single die pair is identified for each year from new obverse dies and just two reverse dies, one used in 1829 and the other employed from 1830 through 1834. A recut U in UNITED identifies the second reverse die. The dies appear perfect with no evidence of die cracks or clash marks, signifying a piece that is either an early state (Bass-Dannreuther State a/a) or a late state from lapped dies (Bass-Dannreuther State c/c). John Dannreuther writes: "The lapping is so light that distinguishing between State a and c is nearly impossible."
The auctioneer described the coin as: This lovely Prooflike Premium Gem exhibits a bold strike with sharply defined central and peripheral details on each side. A brilliant yellow-gold quarter eagle, this piece features reflective fields that contrast with the frosty design motifs. The surfaces are virtually pristine, presenting exceptional eye appeal with strong field-to-device contrast. Formerly endorsed by CAC as MS66+ prior to its reholdering, this coin has not yet been reviewed by CAC in its present MS66+ Prooflike holder. I cannot find this coin to have appeared in auction before (as proof or CS). With few of the Simpson coins being regraded and recertified before the sale, some coins as this one are hard to trace. We may never know the pedigree on this coin.
At present time, the coin is unique in prooflike condition. The coin is a PCGS POP 1/0 due to the PL designation, but there is one coin that grades higher. The Garrett/Pogue specimen is a MS67 that lasted sold for $352,500 in September 2015. PCGS values the Simpson MS66+ prooflike at $250,000. The coin realized $240,000 in the Simson sale. I wish more was known about this coin. According to my notes, this coin replaces a MS62, PCGS POP 7/25. Great Upgrade.
Provenance: Bob R. Simpson (Heritage, 9/2020), lot #10123, realized $240,000, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1831 Quarter Eagle MS66+ Prooflike, Ex: Simpson
Second Finest at PCGS
Certification # 40323809, PCGS # 826595
PCGSGV: $250,000 / realized $240,000
Ex: Simpson
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
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I know I confused this posting by calling the third coin “Bob Simpson Upgrade #3”. The coin is not an upgrade, rather a new addition. There was not a 1907 Liberty Half Eagle in The Collection. There were five coins purchased in Simpson #1 sale, four upgrades and one new addition. Sorry If I confused the posting.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Early Quarter Eagle Upgrade
You are correct, this coin has been upgraded. As for early quarter eagles, they don’t get any earlier than this one. Our friend Ron Guth had this to say: The 1796 Quarter Eagle with No Stars on the obverse is one of the most historic and important U.S. gold coins. The mintage is a mere 963 pieces, which is exceedingly small by any standard. Estimates of the number of surviving examples has ranged all over the place. David Akers claimed 30 to 40, refuting earlier claims of 15 to 20 known. The cataloger at Heritage estimated 80 to 100 in their January 2007 sale. PCGS experts estimate a surviving population of 100 to 125 pieces. To put a finer spin on things, we have images of 28 different examples, all in AU or better. Eleven of those examples are Mint State 60 or better. At the top of the condition census is the incredible PCGS MS65 (finest by two full points) that sold for $1,725,000 in January 2008. It is very difficult to locate a "perfect" 1796 No Stars Quarter Eagle. Many show lintmarks of various sizes. Some show adjustment marks, usually in the center of the obverse. The Bass:261 coin (now in an NGC MS60 holder) shows three different, mint-caused defects: a diagonal fissure running from the turban to Liberty's temple; vertical adjustment marks on the obverse; and a heavy lintmark on the right side of the reverse (yet, it is still a nice, six-figure coin). Though there are numerically finer examples, my personal favorite is Bob Simpson's PCGS MS62+ -- it is well-struck, has great color, and is free of any distracting problems.
I am not sure of the status of the Bob Simpson's PCGS MS62+ Specimen. I did not see the coin being offered in his sales, so I wondering if he planning on holding on to the coin. The PCGS MS65 that sold for $1,725,000 is pedigreed to Lorin Parmelee Collection. This upgrade does not come close to reaching the status of these coins. The Hansen Collection previously had a very nice, but well circulated, 1796 No Stars, AU50 Certification #29531383. If you recall, I discussed this coin on a December 2019 feature that I called “Hansen-Eliasberg Challenge II – Part I”. The Eliasberg Specimen was a XF45, but by today’s grading standards, the coin could a few grades better. The existing coin POP 6/48 was last sold in Heritage’s 2017 Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction. The coin was from The Faris Collection and realized $111,625. I am not sure of the future destination of this coin. It would make a nice coin for someone’s collection, but it does carry the Hansen pedigree and label.
1796, No Stars, Quarter Eagle AU58
This upgrade is from an AU50 to AU58 with a POP 14/7. The coin is the first year of issue for this denomination and a one-year type with just 963 struck. The coin was offered in mid-September on Tangible Investments, Inc. website. The coin was described as a “US Rare Coin“. The coin’s detail description: Outstanding, Super-Rarity 1796 $2.50 Gold Draped Bust Quarter Eagle, Type 1 No Stars graded PCGS AU58. The 1796 Draped Bust Quarter Eagle is one of the most important, if not the most important Quarter Eagle to exist in American history. This coin came from an exceptionally small mintage of only 963 coins, of which only 100 to 125 are known, and less than 8 existing in Mint State condition. However not being mint state, this 1796 $2.50 gold draped bust example features exceptional detail, original orange color and untouched luster residing under the slight wear making the coin an AU58. The obverse displays this wear, but the reverse is untouched and easily can be considered uncirculated. It should be noted that Mint State examples are unavailable under the range of $450,000, and ranging into the 7-figures for MS62 specimens. Furthermore, auction sales are few and far between, of which the last AU58 example sold over 6 years ago. An absolute masterpiece and duly noted example for a collector of American rarities. Comparable sales are hard to find, as an AU53 Sold for $150,000 in Stacks 2017 Sale Lot #10114, and an MS61 example sold for $396,000 in Heritage 2018 Long Beach Sale Lot #4094, giving the price of this PQ AU58 at $245,000.
The coin was offered with an ask price of $245,000, also the coin was offered briefly on eBay. It does not appear the coin sold for the asking price. The coin was purchased from David Lawrence Rare Coins, so it is unknown what the coin actually sold for. This is a nice upgrade to the US early coinage portion of The Collection.
Doug Winter's WOW Factor Coin #4
1796, No Stars, Quarter Eagle AU58
Certification #34023698, PCGS #7645
PCGSGV: $225,000 / asked $245,000
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Do you have a picture of the coin which was previously in the set? While completely appreciating the rarity of the issue, from the pictures the coin appears to be so processed it wouldn't grade if was a different issue.
Latin American Collection
I had forgotten about Simpson’s 1796 No Stars. Thanks to Currin for refreshing my memory. I’m surprised it isn’t in the upcoming auctions since it appears he is divesting his other quarter eagles including the 1796 with stars which is a more desirable and more expensive coin.
The DLH upgrade is interesting.
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The 1795 with stars is a monster coin that has a prooflike appeal. The coin is one of three or four million dollars coins in January 2021 Simpson sale at the FUN event. 1795 with stars would make a very nice upgrade to Hansen’s XF45+ specimen. The real coin to watch is the Early Proof Eagle. It is a real Kaiju.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Draped Bust Dollar Upgrade
I did not know we would be talking about a Draped Bust Dollar Upgrade now, but we are. We have talked a lot about the Bob Simpson Part 1 sale that took place Thursday night Sept. 17th. The Heritage sale did not end there. Starting Friday and over the weekend, Heritage held their 2020 September 18 - 20 US Coins Signature Auction. The D.L. Hansen Collection acquired a few coins from the sale. I think by far, the best upgraded was a Large Eagle, Draped Bust Dollar. Is this a precursor for what to expect in the big Draped Bust Dollar Sale coming up a week from now? No one can know for sure, but it is interesting to see them upgrading Bust Dollars. This places the Draped Bust Dollar on the radar screen and in the discussion. This was not the only upgrade from the Heritage sale, but by far the best and most interesting.
Being the sets are close, I can still tell you that this purchase adds a little spice to the set. The basic set requires only twelve coins. I must say, they are not just any twelve coins, especially if the desire is condition census grades. PCGS describes the twelve coin set as: This is one of the "Dream Sets" of American numismatics, with the classic 1794 rarity, the two 1795 types (Flowing Hair and Draped Bust), and the transitional coins of 1798. The silver dollar is perhaps the most popular of all numismatic collectibles, and the Bust Dollars rival the Large cents as the most popular of the early coins. Return with us to the days of Washington, Adams and Jefferson and enjoy building this historic set!
In the twelve Hansen coins, there are a couple crown jewels. The first being the Pogue/Jung 1795 MS66 Certification #32189886, POP 1/0 for the variety and tied for finest for date. Another worthy of mentioning here is the 1797 $ MS64 Certification #28585087, POP 1/0 for the variety and tied with three others for finest for date. The new upgrade improves the set to now having five condition census top five coins. The set is not quite half way to where should for this high quality collection.
The top three names in the dream sets are Bruce Morelan, Brett Pogue, and the Cardinal Collection. The Hansen set grades higher than some of the pre-registry giants: Amon Carter, Louis Eliasberg, Waldo Newcomer, T. Harrison Garrett, William Dunham, to name a few. D.L. Hansen is not assembling his collection in that era, rather the registry era. He still has some sprucing to do to play with the big three silver dollar registry boys. The next few days could be interesting.
1798 $1 Large Eagle, Pointed 9, Close Date, MS64 PCGS, Ex: Eliasberg
It is always sweet to add an Ex: Eliasberg specimen to the collection. For the Bust Dollar specialists, Heritage describe the variety coin as: This coin represents the popular BB-113 variety, with the 8 in the date placed high and leaning right, while the reverse shows a berry under the left foot of the final A in AMERICA. The BB-113 is not too difficult to locate and examples are sometimes available in high grade. The obverse die was used to strike seven varieties of this date, with this being its first use. This was the fourth and final use of the reverse die. To further explain: Bowers Die State II, with a die crack from the second S in STATES through OF and the wing. Mint records indicate a substantial mintage of 327,536 Draped Bust dollars was struck in 1798, split between the Small Eagle and Large Eagle reverse designs. It is possible that some of the dollars produced in 1798 were struck from leftover obverse dies with earlier dates, and some 1798-dated dollars may have been struck in later years, as Mint personnel kept using dies as long as they were serviceable during this era, regardless of the calendar year. A total of 33 die varieties are known for the date, with two varieties employing the Small Eagle reverse and 31 varieties showing the Large Eagle motif.
This coin does not just make a great variety coin, but it just nice all around. From The James Dines "Original Goldbug" Collection, the coin was headlined as: Only One Finer Coin at PCGS. That coin would be the Pogue MS65 Specimen. Even though this statement is correct for “only one finer for variety”, there is one other finer for date, The Bruce Morelan 1798 WIDE DATE. PCGS MS65 CAC. With the Pouge and Morelan coins as finest, the new Hansen upgrade is POP 11/2 in the registry set.
This old silver dollar has a great appeal and history. Heritage describe the coin as: The present coin was once a highlight of the famous Eliasberg Collection, a mark of distinction for any coin. This piece ranks high in the Condition Census for the variety, as PCGS has graded only a single example finer and NGC has certified no coins in higher numeric grades (7/20). The design elements are well-detailed, with full star centers and especially sharp definition on Liberty's profile. Just a trace of softness is evident on the eagle's breast and some dentils. The well-preserved obverse has light gold and gray toning that deepens with splashes of blue at the rims. The reverse, on the other hand, has deep gunmetal-blue patina with iridescent undertones. Overall eye appeal is terrific. This coin is pictured on PCGS CoinFacts. Let’s be honest here. If you like Draped Bust Silver Dollars, how do you not like this coin? It does not appear to be stickered, so that’s the biggest negative I would guess. Although, this coin is not a top pop, I feel it to be a real keeper. It’s an Eliasberg, right?
Provenance: Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Eliasberg Collection, Part II (Bowers and Merena, 4/1997), lot 2184, realized $33,000; Fun Signature (Heritage, 1/1998), lot 7011; Phillip Flanagan Collection (Bowers and Merena, 11/2001), lot 4244; James Dines "Original Goldbug" Collection, (Heritage, 10/2020), lot 3632, realized $90,000, D.L. Hansen Collection.
1798 Draped Bust Dollar, Large Eagle, Pointed 9, Close Date, MS64 PCGS
Only One Finer Coin at PCGS
Certification #12579464, PCGS #6873
PCGSGV: $105,000 / realized $90,000
Ex: Eliasberg
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Heritage Auction Upgrades
I mentioned a few days ago about Heritage 2020 September 18 - 20 US Coins Signature Auction. I featured the 1798 $1 Large Eagle, MS64 PCGS, Ex: Eliasberg. This was not the only upgrade. There were several. I call these upgrades, improvements. None are significant alone, but as a group they are. The 1792 – 1964 portion of the Hall of Fame Basic set requires 2821 specimens. One by one, we are slowly seeing the set improved. On 9/28/2020, The Collection reached 63.00 GPA Weighted rating for this portion of the set. This is a great milestone. Let’s look at the percentages of a few categories.
Sole Finest or Tied Finest: 39%
Second Finest / Only One PCGS Graded Finer: 16%
Condition Census / PCGS Graded TOP Five: 21%
Amazingly, a little 75% of the 2821 piece 1792 – 1964 basic set is PCGS Condition Census. This means about 660 coins (23%) still need to be upgraded to reach a Condition Census quality set. Many of them are not ultra-rarities, rather coin that just need an opportunity to replace as being featured today. These are a few of the improvement coins that were purchase. Just note, a couple are Major Variety improvements and at least on is proof.
1797 Draped Bust Cent, MS65 Brown, POP 10/3, PCGSPG: $37,500, realized $21,000
1807 S-276 Cent, MS63 Brown, POP 5/2, PCGSPG: $16,500, realized $15,600
1867 Indian Head Cent, MS66 Red, POP 4/0, PCGSPG $46,500, realized $18,000, Ex: Castle
1924-D Buffalo Nickel, MS66, POP 15/0, PCGSPG: $18,750, realized $10,800
1928-S Nickel, MS66+, POP 2/2, PCGSPG: $25,000, realized $16,800
1941 Jefferson Nickel, PR68, POP 7/0, PCGSPG: $12,500, realized $11,400
1854-C Quarter Eagle, MS62, POP 4/0, PCGSPG: $25,000, realized $15,600
None of the improvements were high dollar value in the D.H. Hansen Collection. It is the continuous improved in which these coins will add overall value in the end. I will feature the 1854-C Quarter Eagle. It was not the most expensive of these improvement coins, but I just have a fondness to Charlotte Gold, and this is really cool old gold coin.
1854-C Quarter Eagle MS62 PCGS
The D.L. Hansen Collection is top of the All-Time registry for Charlotte Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1838-1861). The weighted Grade average is 60.38 and the set is followed by Harry W. Bass, Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection, Louis Eliasberg and rounding out the fifth place set is Southern Collection. This is a great example of continuous improvement.
Expert Doug Winter described the coin as: After a one-year hiatus, production of quarter eagles at the Charlotte Mint resumed in 1854. Only 7,295 examples were produced, giving this date the fifth lowest mintage figure of any quarter eagle from this mint. Most often seen in the VF and EF range, the low mintage 1854-C quarter eagle is a scarce date in all grades. It is scarce in the lower AU grades and rare in properly graded AU55 to AU58. It is very rare in Uncirculated with approximately a half dozen or so known that qualify by today’s standards. The new addition is one of four MS62 specimens that have been certified by PCGS. The Heritage auctioneer added: Quarter eagle production resumed at the Charlotte Mint in 1854 with a mintage of 7,295 coins. Ranking 6th out of 20 C-mint quarter eagle issues as far as scarcity, Doug Winter describes the 1854-C as "very rare in Uncirculated with approximately a half dozen or so that qualify by today's standards." Only 105 to 145 examples survive in all.
The coin was purchased in Heritage’s, September 2020 US Coins Signature Auction. No mention of provenance. After comparing a few auction images, it appears the coin can be traced to the Ashland City Collection. The coin sold in a Heritage 2003 auction, and the later in a 2009 Goldberg Auction where the coin was described as: A nice untoned example. 7,295 struck. Pure and simple, this is a classic quarter eagle rarity in high grades, especially so in choice Mint State as seen here. Charlotte struck very few of these, virtually all of which made it into circulation and therefore the few survivors are in much lower grades. We note the lustrous, desirable, and definitely un-circulated surfaces of this specimen bedazzle the eye with their vibrant golden glow. Then, too, we see none of the usual haze or dullness over the luster. As to the strike, this specimen really excels. Noted expert Doug Winter wrote in his reference on the series that "Weak strikes are the rule for this date. The obverse is often blurry on the hair around Liberty's ear. The reverse is always weaker than the obverse; the center and eagle's claws are invariably very weak…." We are pleased to say that the hair around Liberty's ear is decidedly sharper than most, especially so given the date, although the reverse shows the expected softness on the eagle's thigh, claws and areas around the shield.
The recent Heritage Auction, the coin was describes as: This is a marvelous Mint State offering with deep orange-gold surfaces and partial luster. The border elements are relatively well-defined, while the central devices show typical incompleteness. Overall detail and eye appeal remain impressive for this top-drawer Southern gold piece. Few notable or distracting abrasions. Another nice upgrade to this collection.
Provenance: Ashland City Collection/FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2003), lot 4700, realized $17,250; (Goldberg, 5/2009), lot 1206, realized $14,950; The Cherokee County Collection (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4761, realized $14,950; US Coins Signature, (Heritage 9/2020), lot 3695, realized $15,600, D. L. Hansen Collection
1854-C Quarter Eagle MS62 PCGS
Condition Census Example, Tied for Finest at PCGS
Certification #28944864, PCGS #7770
PCGSGV: $25,000 / realized $15,600
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Proof Upgrade
As many of you know, the U.S. Coins Complete Basic Set, Proof (1801-1964) has surpassed 75%. PCGS describes the set as: Every basic classic U.S. coin in Proof from 1801 through 1964, this set is one of the greatest challenges in the Registry. A collection of this size could take many years to assemble in high grade. As I have stated more than once, completing this set is more than the greatest challenge in the Registry. As a fact, the set is impossible to complete. There are a few coins that PCGS has never certified. There are coins required in the set where it’s doubtful the coins actually exist. Also, there are a few coins off the market and in the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection and Harry Bass Foundation Collections, and others likewise; they will never appear for public sale. Presently, The D.L. Hansen Collection has 874 of the required 1145 coins. If my math is correct, approx. 20 new coins have been added in 2020. The set will really get interesting when the completion reaches about 90%. We can watch and see what happens.
Gold Proof coins are really a class of their own. Since I am featuring a quarter eagle today, I will briefly discuss the series. Just assembling a set of quarter eagles would be challenging. The D.L. Hansen Collection is amazingly working on all series at once. PCGS described the 90 coin set as: A complete set of Proof Quarter Eagles is faced with the same problem all Proof denomination sets share; namely the extreme rarity of early (pre-1857) Proof issues. Numerous dates have yet to have a single example graded by PCGS, and nearly all others boast populations in the low single digits. Needless to say, this is not a set that will be attempted by many, if for no other reason than the prohibitive rarity of so many of the coins.
The Collection replaced its 1876 PR65DC Specimen. This coin is not a hole filler! The POP 4/3 coin is a PCGS census specimen. This is a $50K coin, but as we know, if opportunity for an upgrade comes along, we often see the great coin is replaced with a better grade. That is exactly what we are seeing today. The PR65DC $50K coin is being replaced with a POP 1/0 $100K specimen. Sometimes I find it quite funny when comments are made about Hansen’s collection as a hole filler collection. A good laugh once a day is what I need.
1876 Quarter Eagle, DCAM PR67DCAM
The 1876 Quarter Eagle has a mintage 45, but where are they? In one of StacksBowers description: The Proof 1876 quarter eagle has the highest mintage in its series from 1868 through 1880. Even so, survivors from the mintage of 45 pieces are highly elusive and, discounting for the high probability of resubmissions among the third party certification totals, we believe that fewer than 25 coins are extant, perhaps no more than 20. This Superb Gem is the single finest certified example known to PCGS and NGC, the only Proof-67 in any category and is exceptionally attractive due to the Ultra Cameo finish. It is destined to serve as a highlight in an advanced collection of classic Proof gold coinage.
I don’t always get this right, but I believe this PR67DCAM PCGS specimen is the same coin sold in Stacks Bowers November 2017 Rarities Night Auction in Baltimore. The coin holds the auction record at $66,000. It was sold in a Proof-67 Ultra Cameo (NGC) holder. The coin was described as “Finest Certified Proof 1876 Quarter Eagle”. The auctioneer stated: This breathtakingly beautiful 1876 Proof quarter eagle combines satiny devices with deeply mirrored fields, easily living up to its Ultra Cameo designation by NGC. The surfaces are silky smooth and virtually pristine. A full strike and bright golden yellow patina round out enhance the appeal of this remarkable condition rarity. The listing and 2017 sale does not provide any addition provenance.
I watched this coin listed for sale by GreatCollections for several weeks. The coin was offered as a starting bid of $87,500. PCGS places the value at $120,000. I have no idea how they came up with price. It was a little surprising to me, the coin was sold with one bid of $87,500 and $98,437.50 with buyer fees. The coin sold on September 27th with a new Auction Record bid. I am not sure that PCGS will recognized this as a new record, being they are not recognizing GreatCollections sale results.
Provenance: Rarities Night (StacksBowers 11/17), lot 10139, realized $66,000; (GreatCollections 9/27/2020) ID # 809950, realized $98,437.50, D. L. Hansen Collection.
1876 Quarter Eagle, DCAM PR67DCAM PCGS
Finest Certified Proof 1876 Quarter Eagle
Certification #34939982, PCGS #97902
PCGSGV: $120,000 / realized $98,437.50
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Nice!
Amazing $2.5
Latin American Collection
Gorgeous coin. I remain very impressed with what Hansen has been accomplishing with proof gold. As for your comment on the price, i would note that those who follow proof gold will notice that pcgs generally brings signifcantly more than ngc and cac approval also is an important factor in pricing proof gold. This date in deep cameo has 4 stickered coins (3 in 64 and 1 in 65). My hunch is the coin would have gone for far more than the record price with cac approval. That being said, to build a world class proof gold coin collection there will be times you just dont have the luxury to have all cac coins. Some coins are rarely available and some dates simply have few if any cac approvals. Great pick up for the Hansen collection.
Good morning. Great coin! I do not exactly agree with: "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals"
Many do until they are cracked and upgraded. When I buy a coin like this I downgrade it and get the CAC sticker as the grade is usually one lower. DLH could do the same but chooses not to. In this case it should be done as there are no 66's and therefore this would still be a top pop. Yes it certainly would have sold for "far more" with CAC approval but CAC does not feel it is a 67.
This is an interesting dilemma. if you are a registry player then the higher grade is more important. if you want to sell, perhaps the CAC sticker will bring more money (each case is individual as Perfection points out that this 1876 has no equal even at MS66). Lastly you might not care for either but just want the coin graded to your standards.
This is a good problem to have if the coin will truly sticker at the lower grade...
I don't understand how you can fail to agree, exactly with the statement "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals".
The fact that the number of CAC examples might change in the future, due to downgrades, crack-outs, etc., doesn't mean the comment was inaccurate at the time it was made.
If I state that a coin with a PCGS population of zero has a PCGS population of zero, the statement is still accurate, whether or not the population increases over time.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
This point: This is a good problem to have if the coin will truly sticker at the lower grade...
The key is in understand which coins will CAC at a point lower, vs. ones which will never CAC for one reason or another.
Latin American Collection
This is not a forum to discuss over grading and the merits of CAC so this is my last comment.
Collectors know that CAC is usually one grade lower than PCGS and perhaps two two for NGC. CAC buyers wanted to compete in the registry and not play the upgrade game. PCGS finally created a CAC registry to address this issue.
It is extremely difficult to have a 100% CAC set be top in the regular registry. Regardless it is apple and oranges which has become more and more evident over the years. Gold especially. When people do not understand I tell them to look at the prices for CAC versus non for Saints. Lastly, some people say buy the coin and not the grade.
That is mostly nonsense. MANY buyers/collectors cannot grade and cannot learn unless they are around many coins for many years. They want to be able to rely on experts, Grading services or dealers. I am now learning sport cards.
Unless I handle thousands I have little clue. I have to learn how the grading service work with cards.
Have a nice day.
I don't understand how you can fail to agree, exactly with the statement "some dates simply have few if any Cac approvals".
The fact that the number of CAC examples might change in the future, due to downgrades, crack-outs, etc., doesn't mean the comment was inaccurate at the time it was made.
Ok, submit I agree, technically. Some dates have no CAC approval. if they have PCGS or NGC approvals, they can be
changed to CAC approvals, usually at another grade.
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Correction:
Thanks to Ron Guth’s help, I need to correct the provenance on this coin. The Heritage 9/2020:3695 is a different coin than I posted. I was confused because I think Hansen has two 1854-C Quarter Eagle MS62 PCGS Specimens. The Ashland City Specimen and the coin purchased in the recent Heritage sale. I had the provenance to Ashland City correct, but the coin was not from the Heritage Auction. I can not determine the place of purchase, but being the coin is pedigreed to Hansen, it has been in the collection for some time.
Provenance: Ashland City Collection - Heritage 1/2003:4700 (as NGC MS62 1293449033), $17,250.00 - Goldbergs 9/2006:1800 (as NGC MS62), $20,988.00 - Goldbergs 5/2009:1206 (as NGC MS62 1293449033), $14,950.00 - Cherokee County Collection - Heritage 1/2012:4761 (as NGC MS62 1293449033), $14,950.00 - D.L. Hansen Collection (as PCGS MS62 28944864)
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This is the coin that was purchase in Sept 2020 Heritage Auction. It appear that the D.L. Hansen Collection now has two of the four top pop coins.
Provenance: (StacksBowers 11/2011), lot 9242, realized $17,250; US Coins Signature, (Heritage 9/2020), lot 3695, realized $15,600, D. L. Hansen Collection
I think I like the new one a little better.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
1854-C quarter eagle.
Simply the fact that any of these exist at all in MS amazing. To have enough of the in your collection that Currin is not sure which is which is beyond words.
Bruce Morelan Collection Upgrade #1
The D.L. Hansen Collection made a few successful bids for coins from the Bruce Morelan’s Early Dollars Collection that was hosted by Legend Rare Coin Auctions. The collection consisted of 15 Early Dollars described by Legend RCA as: fabulous Bruce Morelan Collection of Bust dollars-the finest ever. I don’t think anyone can argue with the statement. The finest set assembled in the registry era and I would also suggest finest of all times. The top three sets are from the Cardinal, Brett Pogue and Bruce Morelan Collections. The Morelan set is the cream of the top three sets. Relating to these coins that were offered last night, there have been several good, informative discussions on this website in the last few weeks. I recommend them as entertaining read if you have not done so.
The sale should be described as a success even though three of the 15 coins were passed. Mr. Morelan’s personal perspective from the sale results particular pertaining to the 1794 specimen was: I’m personally ecstatic that it did not sell at the minimum bid. Finding out about the striking ceremony presentation and forwarding of a coin to Washington AFTER consigning the coin made my heart sink. Seeing all the coins one last time right before the sale made it sink even more. I’ll be happy with my box of 3. The three Early Dollars passed were the 1794, 1797 10X6 Stars, and the Famous 1804 King of Dollars. In his statement, I believe he was referencing third coin as the 1795 13 leaves Gold Eagle and not the 1797 10X6 Stars Dollar.
The two coins that realized the greatest price was the 1795 Off Center and 1796 Small Date Dollars. They realized $705,000 each. The bargain of the night was the 1799/8 15 Stars that realized $88,125. Amazingly, this coin was only one in the set that realized less than six figures. The remaining nine coins realized between $182,125 and $528,750.
With Mr. Morelan keeping three coins, and Mr. Hansen purchasing three coins, the remaining coins were dispersed among several bidders. According to my unofficial tracking of the sale, the nine remaining dollars were purchased by at least six different bidders, may be more. The Morelan Dollars should be represented in several great collections for years to come.
1795 Flowing Hair Dollar, 2 Leaves, PCGS MS64+ CAC Approved, Ex: Lee/Morelan
According to my information, there were five Early Dollars in the sale that Mr. Hansen had his eyes on. He was successful in buying three of them. The first one that I will feature today is the 1795 2 Leaves. This coin is not one of the POP 1/0 coins that was offered in the sale. If you are familiar with Mr. Morelan philosophy with his coins, he is not always drawn to the finest coin by grade. Legend’s describe the 1795 coin as: One of the FINEST KNOWN B-1, BB-21 Flowing Hair dollars that exists, period! The coin has a PCGS POP of 1/1 for the variety. The finest 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar, 2 Leaves is the Brett Pogue PCGS MS65 Specimen. The Morelan Specimen is from the Jack Lee Collection which has historically realized considerably higher bids than the Pogue coin. The Lee/Morelan Specimen realized an all-time high bid of $431,250 in a Heritage 1/2008 sale. The Pogue coin realized high of $282,000 in a 9/2015 Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's Auction. I know how hard it is to compare dates and values from different periods of time, so I offer this as general discussion. Just having the finest graded coin may not be the best or most valuable specimen.
From the personal collection of famed Silver Dollar specialists, Jack Lee, this GEM 1795 dollar is a superlative example. But do not take our word for it, here is what Bruce Morelan says in the PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census: “I saw this coin at one of the ANA shows in the mid-2000s. Chris Napolitano showed it to Laura [Sperber] and I in a higher graded holder at the time. It just displayed such beautiful luster, full cartwheel, original golden toning. Everything about the coin I absolutely loved. And once I started building this set, it was the coin that kept popping into my mind as the representative that I wanted of this date, in my set. And I was looking for it, trying to find it, for sale in its previous holder, and eventually it walked up to Legend's table in the new holder, the 64+ holder, and I couldn't buy it fast enough." Another owner comment from Mr. Morelan: I have loved this coin since the moment I saw it a decade ago. At the time, it was in an NGC 65 holder. Aside from the beautiful original golden toning, its strongest attribute is the full and flowing luster across the surfaces. A lovely coin! You can see why Mr. Hansen had his eye on this coin for his collection too. He bypassed two POP 1/0 coins offered in the sale and could have been obtained at lower cost, for this coin that does not have a PCGS POP 1/0 grade. I find this to be interesting.
Legend RCA provides a very detail coin description: Bold, brilliant, and frosty, this satiny lustrous GEM has swirling cartwheels virtually unseen on examples of this type. Totally original golden, russet, and olive-tan patina streak across the pearly-silver surfaces. The splashes and dappled pattern beautifully accent the sharply struck up devices. Crisp for the variety, there is only the slightest trace of softness at the very highest points of Liberty's hair tresses and on the eagle's breast feathers. Otherwise every detail is boldly rendered by an exacting strike; the star centers are crisp, Liberty's eye is sharply defined. Likewise, the eagle's wing feathers and even the veins of the olive wreath are fully wrought by the dies. A remarkable GEM quality example that boasts the most exceptional quality surfaces, devoid of all but the tiniest ticks or trace of contact, and there are no adjustment marks to be found anywhere. In all regards, this coin's quality of manufacture, state of preservation, and eye appeal are truly AMAZING.
The coin has a pedigree that is as amazing as the appearance of the coin. The coin origin was described as: This GEM was bought out of an auction in England sometime in the mid 1980s and was purchased by David Akers and Ed Milas. Various intermediaries including Stu Levine and Chris Napolitano, before being sold to Jack Lee. Mr. Morelan mentions first viewing the coin when Chris Napolitano was showing it. The Pedigree can be traced through several great collections. Legend’s final words on the coin, I will agree: The technical and aesthetic qualities are truly world class and this opportunity should not be taken lightly. For the date or type collector, or anyone who just seeks the FINEST OF THE FINE, this is a coin that should not be missed! This GEM is truly LEGEND QUALITY in the flesh!
Provenance: England Auction, mid 1980s; David Akers; Ed Milas; Stu Levine; Chris Napolitano; Jack Lee Collection, (Heritage 11/2005), lot 2186, realized $391,000; Madison Collection, (Heritage 1/2008) lot 2920, realized $431,250; Joseph C. Thomas Collection (Heritage 4/2009) lot 2533, $276,000; Bruce Morelan Collection, (Legend 10/2020), lot 12, realized $293,750, D.L. Hansen Collection
1795 Flowing Hair Dollar, 2 Leaves, PCGS MS64+
Certification #25282464, PCGS #39986, CAC Approved
PCGSGV: $310,000 / realized $293,750
Ex: Lee/Morelan
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Bruce Morelan Collection Upgrade #2
This posting will feature The D.L. Hansen Collection second coin purchased from the Bruce Morelan’s Early Dollars Collection hosted by Legend Rare Coin Auctions. As described by Legend this coin is Another truly SPECTACULAR GEM Bust dollar with an unbelievable provenance that is as SUPERB as the coin itself! I would describe the Hansen Collection is completed for the twelve basic coins. As reported before, The Collection still needs two coins to complete the Major Variety set, 1798 $1 Large Eagle, Knob 9, 4 Lines and 1800 $1 Wide Dt,Low 8,AMERICAI. Also, I would describe Draped Bust portion of the collection as a work still in progress. Mr. Hansen was successful in obtaining three Morelan Specimens for upgrades to his set, but there are more coins that are needed to reach the class of the top three sets.
The top Morelan set which we sadly witnessed the breakup in the Legend Rare Coin Auction was what I think to be the finest set ever assembled. For the basic set that contains twelve coins, ten coins sold. The Famous 1794 Dollar and 1797 10X6 Stars specimens were not sold. Unfortunately, the Morelan sets have been removed for the registry. I was hoping the set would stay as retired as did the Pogue and Cardinal sets. (Maybe Bruce will let us know why they were taken down, or if they will come back). By memory, the world class set was graded from MS63 to MS66. The set had four PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens which was and still is unprecedented. I think the four coins were purchased by four different buyers, so coming back together will be very difficult.
The number two set was assembled by D. Brent Pogue. At time of retirement, this set was the number one all time set. Another world class set, but with just one weak coin. The 1798 Small Eagle Reverse Specimen was graded MS61. (Note: Mr. Morelan coin was graded MS63, and one of the five coins that Mr. Hansen was watching closely. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to purchase). The remaining eleven Pogue coins were PCGS graded from MS64 to MS66+, on par with Morelan. The set obtained one PCGS POP 1/0 specimen, 1795 Flowing Hair.
The third top set assembled was titled the Cardinal Collection. The key date 1794 dollar was represented by a near gem specimen from the from the F.C.C. Boyd collection. The Cardinal Collection set was not a true PCGS registry set, because the 1794 Dollar was encapsulated by NGC. The famous 1794 Silver Plug Specimen was in the Cardinal Collection but was not represented in the registry set, as it was in the Morelan set. In the Stack's/Bowers 1/2013 sale, the coin realized $10,016,875 with the Cardinal Collection having sold the only $10,000.000 coin in a public auction and Bruce Morelan the only collector to pay $10,000.000 for coin in a public auction. Not to leave out D. Brent Pogue, he happened to be the under bidder. The Cardinal Collection grade range was MS62 to MS65, which is a few points below both the Pogue and Morelan sets.
As I stated, The D.L. Hansen Collection still have work to do to reach this quality level for Early Dollars. In the trio purchased this week, Mr. Hansen replaced three coins graded AU53, AU58, and MS62, with coins graded MS64+, MS65, and MS65. This now upgrades the Hansen Collection to have six coins with grade range from MS64 to MS66 (par with top sets). This leaves the set with six coins that I see as needing to be upgraded. The range is AU53 to MS63, which is not on par with the top sets. By replacing the final six coins probably will not achieved the finest ever, but the Hansen Set would have solid standing in the current top three retired sets.
1801 Draped Bust Dollar, MS65, Ex: Col." E.H.R. Green/Newman/Morelan
The 1801 Dollar is described by Ron Guth as: The 1801 Dollar has a low mintage of just over 54,000 coins, which is a low number by any standard, but the 1801 is still an under-appreciated rarity. For example, in the 2012 GUIDEBOOK, the 1801 Dollar is priced the same as the 1800 Dollar in virtually all grades, and shows just a slight premium in MS-60. The reality of the PCGS Population Report shows a different picture. The surviving population of the 1801 Dollar (as of November 2011) is considerably lower any other date of the Heraldic Eagle reverse type, including the 1802, which has a lower mintage just over 41,000 coins. Similarly, the 1801 Dollar has a lower population in Mint State than any other date. This indicates that the pricing on the 1801 Dollar should be higher to account for this difference. PCGS has certified less than a dozen Mint State 1801 Dollars, the finest of which is a single Gem MS-65.
Since the time Ron published this statement, there are now two graded MS65 by PCGS. This Morelan BB-212 Specimen is one. The other is a BB-214 Specimen pedigreed to Green/Carter/Pogue. I am not certain which of these two is the sole MS65 referenced by Ron Guth. The auction record is $399,500 from the 2017 StacksBowers, D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V sale. Just for the record, Legend implied the Morelan coin could be the finest of the two by stating: This B-2, BB-212 is tied for FINEST 1801 dollar of any variety graded by either service with just one other PCGS MS65; and as this coin was graded 65+ by NGC at the time of the Newman sale, it is quite possible that this is the FINEST KNOWN 1801 dollar. It was also noted that Eric Newman choose the Morelan coin over the Pogue: It is interesting to note that the other MS65 is also ex Col. Green Estate, and Eric Newman chose this one to buy out of his partnership with Burdette Johnson for his personal collection.
Legend RCA described the coin as very appealing: A strong cartwheel luster glides brilliantly along both sides, unbroken by any marks or flaws. Spectacular brilliance blooms through the wonderful, original pewter-silver and champagne-gold in the central portions of the design that deepens to rose, russet, and pale blue hues at the peripheral devices. Very sharp in detail, the only area of striking weakness is at the bottom feathers of the eagle's tail; every other detail is razor sharp in its definition. Struck from lightly clashed dies, the surfaces are of exceptional GEM quality and are otherwise free of any disturbances. The eye appeal is truly amazing!
The coin’s pedigree can be traced back more than 125 years. The coin has a great story to tell, but it was not chosen to be included in the Great Pogue Collection. Mr. Morelan picked the coin to be the 1801 representative in his fine collection. Did he choose this coin over the Pogue coin? I am not sure. Maybe he could share with us one day. With his set being closed and taken down, we lost his personal notes on this coin and his others. The coin realized $329,000 in the Newman sale, November 2013. The coin realized $246,750 in Legend Auction for the Morelan Collection. The estimated range was $300,000 to $350,000, so it appears the coin under achieved. The coin is not CAC Approved. I would not think that would have been a problem, but maybe so. Anyway, this great Bruce Morelan specimen has found a happy home for what should be a very long time.
Provenance: Richard B. Winsor Collection, (S.H. & H. Chapman 12/1895) lot 411; John G. Mills Collection; S.H. & H. Chapman, (4/1904) lot 693; George H. Earle, Jr. Collection; Henry Chapman, (6/1912) lot 2718; "Colonel" E.H.R. Green, Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman & B.G. Johnson, St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.), Eric P. Newman, who paid $100.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, (Heritage 11/2013) lot 33511, $329,000; Bruce Morelan Collection of Early Dollars (Legend 10/2020), lot 21, realized $246,750, D.L. Hansen Collection
1801 Draped Bust Dollar, MS65, POP 2/0
Certification # 25346086, PCGS # 6893
PCGSGV: $375,000 / realized $246,750
Ex: Col." E.H.R. Green/Newman/Morelan
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I can’t wait to see the 3rd acquisition from Bruce. I think the first two selections were great choices.
Very nice pickups!
It's great to see Hansen picking up pieces from Bruce and Simpson.
It will be interesting to see if Bruce's other coins show up in other Registry Sets.
It would be interesting in there was an after sale offer from Hansen on the 1794 SP66 or 1804 PCGS PF65 dollars. Then again, isn't the Childs PF68 1804 Dollar coming up soon? I haven't been keeping track of coin news lately.
Bruce Morelan Collection Upgrade #3
This posting will feature The D.L. Hansen Collection’s third and final coin purchased from the Bruce Morelan’s Early Dollars Collection hosted by Legend Rare Coin Auctions. When I say final, is anything really final? We don’t know how many Morelan Dollars may hit the market in next few months. I have seen quite often a coin not won by Mr. Hansen in public auction will show up in his collection 6-8 months later by a private transaction. I am not saying that will happen, just that it could. There are five or six other coins that sold in the auction that the D. L. Hansen Collection could use for upgrades. We have to watch and see.
As described by Legend RCA, this coin is One of the FINEST, most beautiful, and impressively pedigreed GEM 1802 dollars that exists! A simply stunning coin that is a real prize, even among Bruce's WORLD CLASS, AMAZING early dollars. This is another GEM Draped Bust Dollar with an historic pedigree. The three Morelan coins does not have any impact to the registry rankings, but they do significantly improve the twelve piece set. Prior to the Morelan coins, the set rating was 59.40. In other words, it was an AU set. With the three new coins, the set jumped to 61.343 with six coins between MS64 and MS66. There are still three AU coins that need replacing. Replacing theses coins will not achieved the finest ever, but the Hansen Set would have solid standing in the top three retired sets.
Expert Ron Howard made this comment: Imagine - not one, but TWO Gem MS-65 examples back-to-back! That's the unlikely pleasure I experienced in the PCGS grading room in June, 2010. One example was beautifully toned, the other predominantly white; both were original. Despite my affinity for toning, I thought the whiter example, overall, to be a bit superior. Both were fully struck. Thank you to whomever submitted this remarkable pair! We cannot be sure which certified PCGS MS-65 coins that Mr. Howard was speaking of. By PCGS POP report, there have been five coins certified as GEM MS65, with only one of then having a plus. The finest MS65+ is the Clark-Starr-Flannagan-Cardinal Specimen that is in the Bob Simpson Collection. The coin will go on auction in a November Heritage Sale. I think everyone should know now that Mr. Hansen will probably not be bidding on that coin.
1802 Draped Bust Dollar, Narrow Date, MS65, Ex: Stickney/Eliasberg/Pogue/Morelan
Henry Chapman, said in 1907: Perfection, and while I have seen several superb dollars of this year, yet I feel that this is the finest specimen. A gem." Is the Simpson Specimen a better coin? In the Pouge sale it was stated: The only example of this date to ever receive a higher grade, or at least whatever decimalized advantage a plus sign suggests, is the T. James Clarke-Starr-Flannagan-Cardinal BB-241, a multicolored gem responsible for two different listings in the Bowers censuses of 1993 and 2013. This piece presents a very different sort of aesthetic, and it's easy to imagine different connoisseurs choosing either this coin or that one as the one that best suits their preferences. As a connoisseur, Mr. Morelan chose this coin. Would he rather have the Simpson Coin? I am not sure. Hopefully one day he will comment on the three coins purchased by Mr. Hansen.
I know Mr. Morelan loved to trace his coins as far back to the US Mint as possible. This is a story told about the coin: By 1907, Henry Chapman had been a full time numismatist for 30 years. His career began in the shop of John Haseltine as a teenager alongside his brother, who most called "Hudson." They undertook to begin their own company, established as a partnership, in 1878. It endured until the summer of 1906, when each hung out his own shingle on amicable terms. They were barely out of adolescence when they cataloged and sold the collection of Charles I. Bushnell in 1882, a collection that had largely been assembled decades earlier. They studiously presented the cabinets of Thomas Warner, English collector E. Shorthouse, the great Thomas Cleneay of Cincinnati, Nicholas Petry, John G. Mills, the former dealer Harlan Page Smith, and dozens more. After embarking on his own, Henry Chapman was hired to offer the cabinet of Matthew A. Stickney, a legend in the field, who had collected eagerly in the 1830s and 1840s, to 1854. Many of the choicest American coins extant found their way into his cabinet in Salem, Massachusetts before he retired from active collecting more than a decade before the death of Lincoln. Stickney traded with the Mint Cabinet, managing to improve both his collection and theirs, obtaining coins that would be impossible to find anywhere else. Thirty years into a numismatist's career, it is easy to suffer from a jaded eye. Henry Chapman was 48 years old in 1907. He had seen the best cabinets and known the great collectors. His Quaker modesty made his cataloging straightforward, sometimes terse, rarely fit with fancy. His description of this coin stands out against the backdrop of his typical cataloging style: "Perfection, and while I have seen several superb dollars of this year, yet I feel that this is the finest specimen. A gem." This extraordinary survivor was acquired by John H. Clapp at the Stickney sale and remained off the market for 90 years. This auction represents its third offering since before 1854.
The story on this coin ends as rich as it started. John H. Clapp sold his collection intact to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. in 1942. This coin was one of the many GEMs that were obtained in that sale. It could qualify as the best sale ever. I wonder what that sale would realize today? For more than 50 years, the coin remained in the Eliasberg Collection until 1997. The cataloger of the Eliasberg Collection, which is its second auction appearance (April 1997, lot 2196), the following was said: "A superb specimen with light lilac and gray toning over lustrous and somewhat golden surfaces. Satiny and smooth, a gem of simply exquisite character." In the Bowers & Merena Auction, the coin realized $165,000. The pedigree is sketchy after the Eliasberg sale and I am not certain if Mr. Pogue purchased the coin in the Eliasberg sale. According to the Pedigree, the last eighty years the coin has been in four world class collections, Eliasberg, Pogue, Morelan, and Hansen. This is the way Legend’s described the history: With a pedigree that dates to the first half of the 19th century and has only appeared in auction three times since 1907, it has been a part of some of the absolutely FINEST and most FAMOUS of coin collections, beginning with Matthew A. Stickney and ending with our consignor, Bruce Morelan! Incorrect! Not ending with Bruce Morelan, rather continuing with Dell Loy Hansen.
Usually there is a reason for a coin to have a rich history, and for most of the time it’s the coin’s amazing beauty. Living up to the appeal promised by its legendary provenance, this majestic and fully lustrous gem stands among the finest survivors of this design type. Its cartwheel is indefatigable, resembling that found on a dollar struck a century later. The apparent brilliance of the surfaces yields richer peripheral toning of deeper gray and navy blue under a good light. The visual appeal would be difficult to exceed. Free of significant marks and showing only the most trivial hairlines, this piece's preservation is spectacular. A few light marks are noted at the central obverse, including a vertical abrasion that jogs down Liberty's neck, but the fields are pristine. Struck resoundingly on both sides and free of adjustment marks and planchet issues, this coin is as good an exemplar of the design as any in this offering.
The Bruce Morelan’s Early Dollars Collection had a little over a dozen amazing coins. Mr. Hansen picked five for his set. He won three of them. I think we can now understand why he wanted this coin in particular. He could have waited for the higher grade Simpson MS65+ Specimen next month. Why wait when you have this GEM available. I say it was a good choice, do you? Oh! I forgot to mention, the coin is a CAC Approved if that matters to you.
Provenance: Matthew A. Stickney Collection, (Henry Chapman 6/1907), Lot 1116; John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, (Bowers & Merena 4/1997) lot 2196, realized $165,000; Bruce Morelan Collection of Early Dollars (Legend 10/2020), lot 23, realized $270,250, D.L. Hansen Collection
1802 Draped Bust Dollar, Narrow Date, MS65, POP 4/1
Certification #32709112, PCGS #40088
PCGSGV: $350,000 / realized $270,250
Ex: Stickney/Eliasberg/Pogue/Morelan
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Three Dollar Gold Upgrade
Spending the last few days discussing the Morelan Early Dollars have been fun, but nothing is more exciting than gold. A US Three Dollar Gold piece just makes it even more exciting. A US Three Dollar MS68 Gold piece is thrilling. A US Three Dollar MS68 Gold piece in one of the finest ever PCGS registry sets is electrifying. You get the point. In most collections, a coin like what we will see today would be the centerpiece. In the Hansen set, this is the third MS68 specimen! According to the PCGS POP report, only four coins have been certified MS68 from the total population of coins minted from 1854 to 1889. They are 1854 MS68, 1863 MS68, and 1867 MS68. With this new purchase, the Hansen Collection have all three of these coin in the set. The fourth coin is the finest PCGS certified for the denomination, 1863 MS68+. This coin has been pedigreed from The David & Sharron Akers Collection. The coin last sold in a Heritage 2014 January FUN US Coin Signature Auction for $211,500. The coin was housed in a MS67 PCGS holder, so it has been upgrade to a MS68+ in the last 4 years. This coin is presently in the BigMo Collection and will be coming to auction soon.
As stated, the D. L. Hansen Collection has one of the finest all-time Three Dollar circulation strike sets. The set is second to the D. Brent Pogue Collection, but not by much. We had not seen much activity in the set before this latest upgrade. The last upgrade posted 10/11/2019. The set consists of 100% PCGS Condition Census Top 5 coins.
16 coins are PCGS POP 1/0. Sole finest certified by PCGS
12 coins are tied for finest certified by PCGS
8 coins have only one PCGS coins certified finer, including the new 1863 MS68.
2 coins have only two PCGS coins certified finer
2 coins have only three PCGS coins certified finer
As good as this set is, the set is second to the Pogue set by 0.07 grade points and 0.04 bonus points. The set has a GEM average grade of 65.01. This is a very high grade considering the toughness of the 40 coins required in the set. PCGS describe the set as: The $3 gold piece was first issued in 1854, and the series lasted until 1889. While several dates were hoarded to a limited extent, most $3 gold issues are rare in any mint state grade, let alone in MS65 or better. It is a series filled with tiny mintages. In 1883, for instance, only 900 business strikes were made. The mintage for 1881 is 500. In 1885 there were 801 pieces struck. For 1873 the mintage is believed to be 100 coins. Key dates? There are lots of them, including 1854-D, the only Dahlonega Mint $3 gold piece. PCGS has graded only four examples mint state. Then there’s the 1854-O, the only New Orleans $3 gold piece. PCGS has graded hundreds of specimens, but only two in mint state. For the 1855-S, PCGS has graded two coins mint state. In these three cases, the highest grade is only MS-62! The set lowest grade coin is a MS61, 1854-D. There is one coin finer, a MS62. The coin is from the D. Brent Pogue Collection that sold in 2016 for $188,000. The current location this is coin is not known. This could be the upgrade that puts the set over the top.
1863 Three Dollar MS68, Ex: Pogue/Jung
I wish I knew how many Pogue coins are in today’s D. L. Hansen Collection. Seem like a new Pogue coin is added every week. If you recall, one of the coins purchased from the Morelan set was an Ex:Pogue. The 1863 Three Dollar MS68 was sold in the StacksBowers, The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part III sale. Interesting, the coin was proclaimed as: Far and Away the Finest Seen by PCGS. The listing went on to state: This impressive $3 is one of only three examples of the entire denomination to receive the Mint State-68 designation from PCGS, a threesome that also includes an 1854 and an 1867; no Proofs of the denomination of any date have received a 68 rating. This beauty is the only MS-68 of the date and the finest certified by PCGS, making for a shoo-in for a Registry Set or other world-class $3 cabinet. As near to perfection as one is likely to come in the series and a lot that will be a focal point of this offering. I would assume the Auction Record Akers Specimen was still in an Old Green Holder graded MS67 in 2016.
The Pogue sale gave provenance the Great Lakes Collection. I am not completely certain, but I believe Mr. Pogue acquired the coin from Larry Hanks, by sale, en bloc, October 2005. In the Pogue Auction, the coin realized $123,375 and was described as: Deep yellow-gold with sunset-orange iridescence here and there characterizes this superb gem. A bright light source brings forth pale blue and olive highlights. The strike is fairly bold with only a hint of weakness at the reverse bow. The dies clashed at least twice before this specimen was struck as witnessed by the double outlines on both sides. The present gem Uncirculated $3 offers near-perfect beauty and physical quality. Search as we might with an 8X loupe, we detect no marks of any substance on the obverse. The same holds true for the reverse where just a tiny planchet disturbance is noted in the dentils at 12:00, mentioned for accuracy and probably in the planchet when struck.
The coin appeared earlier this year in Heritage’s April 2020 Central States US Coins Signature Auction. Interesting, we know the coin was in Mr. Jung’s Type Set Collection. It remains the all-time finest set ever assembled. The set was retired on 8/3/2019. I believe this to one of the coins that did not find a home in the private transactions that pursued. By Mr. Jung, an agent, or a new owner, the coin was placed in the April Heritage sale. For some reason, there was no mention in the Heritage sale that the coin was from the Jung Type Set Collection which I find odd.
The coin popped up as being offer for sale by David Lawrence Rare Coins in August and September. The listing stated: 1863 $3 PCGS/CAC MS68 ex: Pogue, Magnificent example of one of our favorite dates from the Civil War period. With a mintage of 5,000 pieces, far fewer survive today. The present example comes from a population of one with just a single example graded finer, a MS68+. Remarkably preserved surfaces are a lovely deep yellow-gold with pale blue highlights and touches orange iridescence throughout. The strike is boldly executed with strong clash marks on both sides. The fields are completely devoid of distraction and radiate vibrant mint luster. Unmatched eye appeal! CAC approved for quality. It does not mention the coin as being from the Hansen Collections which leads me to believe the coin was owned by either DLRC or a consignor. It took more than 12 months before this specimen finally landed in The Collection. Why was that? Did Mr. Hansen really like his 1863 MS64 Certification #30132480 specimen and he did not want to replace it? Doubt it. Was he holding out to chase the Top POP BigMo coin? Maybe. It is interesting that after more than 12 months, Mr. Hansen decided to rescue the coin. Will the coin’s life in the Hansen Top set be short lived and soon replaced with BigMo coin? This is what makes watching the collection grow so interesting.
Provenance: Great Lakes Collection; Larry Hanks; purchased by D. Brent Pogue in October of 2005; D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part III (Stack's Bowers/Sotheby's, 2/2016), lot 3104, realized $123,375; Oliver Jung Type Set Collection; Central States US Coins Signature (Heritage 4/2020), lot 3783, realized $117,000; David Lawrence Rare Coins, Ask $162,500, D. L. Hansen Collection.
1863 Three Dollar MS68, PCSG POP 1/1
Certification #32219423, PCGS #7984
PCGSGV: $155,000 / Ask $162,500
Ex: Pogue/Jung
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Amazing coin.
I too wonder why coins are offered on DLRC for months and then Hansen adds them. Seems like there is some intent to sell for a bigger profit and if not, Hansen backstops the coin and adds it for a presumably lesser price.
Latin American Collection
That coin has so many visual interest points! Beautiful!
There could be other reasons. Perhaps it doesn't fit into Hansen's budget earlier?
Indian Half Eagles Upgrade
This is a popular 24 piece gold set, but difficult. PCGS described the set as: In 1908 the transition was made from the long-lived $5 Liberty series (1839-1908) to the radically designed $5 Indian. Both the $5 and $2 1/2 Indian gold pieces were introduced in 1908, and both carried the incuse design, never seen before (or since) on a United States coin. The $5 Indian series is filled with rarities. In fact, 15 of the 24 dates have a population of seven or less in MS65! Two of the 24 dates are unknown in MS65 or better, or at least uncertified. PCGS has graded well over 40,000 $5 Indians in all dates and grades, but barely 300 have qualified as MS65 or better. Key dates of the series in any mint state grade include the 1908-S, 1909-O, 1909-S, 1910-S, 1911-D, 1912-S, 1913-S, 1914-S, 1915-S, and 1929.
There are 42 current registry sets, and more than 50 all-time. As popular as this set is, this is not a set that we have discussed here very often. I cannot remember the last time. Main reason, this is not one of the sets that Mr. Hansen appear to be focused on. Also, it is one of the few sets that he is not on the leader board. Currently the Hansen set is #6 in the All-Time rankings.
Jim O’Neal is the name that comes to mind when you think about Indian Half Eagles. The Collection of Indian Half Eagles that he assembled has never been surpassed. He retired his set about 10 years ago. Sadly for whatever reason, he never obtained the PCGS Hall of Fame. All his coins were PCGS Condition Census Top Five except three. The set had six sole finest, PCGS POP 1/0, and five others tied for finest. I predict this set will remain at the top of the leaderboard for the foreseeable future.
Number two on the board is Dr. Thaine B. Price. His set is described as: He collected coins for over two decades. His goal was to assemble the finest possible set of 20th Century gold series, i.e. the four series minted from 1908 to 1933. Dr. Price had a great eye for quality and he was assisted in his pursuit by one of the top experts/dealers in the field, David Akers. Dr. Price also decided to put together the finest possible set of circulation strike Barber half dollars, and he also built a nearly complete set of Gem proof Barber halves. When David Akers auctioned the Price collection in 1998, it was one of the major events of the year, even though the auction only had 213 coins. The Price collection of $5 Indians was spectacular, perhaps the best ever assembled. The set featured many Gems and Superb Gems, including some "finest known" specimens. The key 1909-O was the Eliasberg coin and it brought a mind-boggling $374,000 at the 1998 Price sale. The rare 1910-S was also the Eliasberg coin. The key 1913-S was a spectacular MS66 and it brought $110,000 at the Price sale. The 1915-S was a gorgeous MS65 and it brought $66,000 at the Price sale.
Number Three is from Dr. and Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Collection. The set is described as: The toughest 20th century gold series to assemble are the $5 Indians. My collection is highlighted by the ultra-rare 1909-0 in 65, 1909-S in 66, 1910-S and 1911-S in 65, finest known 1913-S in 66, and 1929 in 65. This collection was certified by PCGS in 1989, many of the grades would be even higher today. Of the remaining issues most were gems!! Although the complete set was auctioned in the David Akers section of Auction '90, many of the prices achieved have yet to be broken.
Number Four is the Kutasi Collection. The set was retired in 2005 and the reached as high as number three in the registry. The set was described as: After completing this set, it dawned on me how tough and underappreciated this series really is. I would consider the 1914-s to be the rarest of the series in high grade. In MS65 even the common dates at one time sold for double where they are today. The set is highlighted by a superb 1914-s, a near gem 1909-o, and a very pq 1915-s, 1913-s and 1910-s. The rare 1929 is an also a gem. Half of the coins of this set are pop top and 90% have only 1 or two graded higher! Wrapping up the leaderboard is the second registry set of The Jim O'Neal Collection Of Indian Half Eagles. There is one significant set that was on the leaderboard but now is missing.
For the last decade, Bob Simson set has been the top of the current sets. As can be seen, his set received the ten year ribbon last year. Sadly, the set has been desecrated, dropping from #2 All-Time to 30th. We know part of his collection is being sold by Heritage Auction. Why was the set not retired like many of the other great sets? It is not limited to the Indian Half Eagles, but all of his sets are being dishonored. My theory is this. From his recent video, he told us collecting sets were not important to him. That would lead me to believe that he never was a registry person, and probably never added a single coin himself. Then who did it for him and why? Sadly, whoever that was appear not to care anymore, and is allowing his sets to die a cruel death on the vine. This is very sad indeed.
In The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part I Heritage Auction, there were nine of his Indian Half Eagles circulating strikes that were sold. To my knowledge, Mr. Hansen did not purchase any of them. The next five sales will be offering as follows:
Two in November Sale
Two in January FUN Sale
Five in February Sale
Seven in April Sale
Only one Indian Half Eagle circulating strike specimen will be offered at the last auction in August 2021, and that coin will be a 1911-D MS65. What a way to bring a conclusion to the Indian Half Eagles. Will Mr. Hansen pickup any of these GEMs in the future? This recent purchase may show some interest turning to the Indian Half Eagles. We can watch and see.
1914 Indian Half Eagle, MS66, POP 2/0, CAC Approved
When I first saw this update, the first thing come to my mind was that Mr. Hansen purchased one of the Simpson Indian Half Eagles on a post auction rebound. When I looked it up, it was not the Simpson coin that he purchased but another 1914 Indian Half Eagle, PCGS MS66 Specimen. As I stated earlier, there were nine Indian Half Eagle CS specimens offered in the first sale, with one being the 1914 Five Dollar Indian, MS66 that realized $168,000. PCGS valued the coin at $100,000. The coin is the Jim O'Neal specimen and was marketed as The Sole Finest at PCGS. The population given was: 1 in 66, 0 finer. CAC: 2 in 66, 0 finer (8/20). If I read this correctly, there appear to be one PCGS MS66 CAC specimen and one other, probably NGC MS66 CAC. The NGC report still shows one MS66, but I believe that is now false. In the Heritage Auction description: The 1914 Indian half eagle is scarcer than earlier Philadelphia issues in the series, and the collecting challenge begins to become noticeable in grades above MS63. In MS65, this date is properly scarce, and that grade is the finest that most collectors deem this issue accessible. Just two higher-grade pieces are reported, one at PCGS and one at NGC, both designated MS66. Between those two, only the PCGS coin -- offered here -- has ever appeared at auction. This piece highlighted our 2011 FUN Signature sale as part of the Jim O'Neal Collection and realized a record-setting $126,500. It has not appeared at auction since, and one can only guess the sort of collector demand that it will encounter when it crosses the auction block at the ANA.
The details of the coin are a not complete mystery. NGC published an article on the 1914 MS66 NGC coin. The article was posted 8/28/2020 and titled: High-grade NGC-certified 1914 Half Eagle in GreatCollections Sale. The articled stated: An exceptionally well-preserved 1914 Half Eagle is among the NGC-certified rarities being offered by GreatCollections in sales ending Sunday, August 30, 2020. Graded NGC MS 66, it is the single-highest among nearly 3,000 in the NGC Census. Bidding had already exceeded $63,000 two days before the auction ends. A conditional rarity, the 1914 Half Eagle is relatively easy to find in lower Mint State grades but nearly impossible to find at this grade. The Indian Head series was issued annually from 1908 to 1916, and returned for a last hurrah in 1929. The Hotlisted coin had 42 bids and in the end realized $70,933.88 with buyers fees. Eighteen days later, the O'Neal/ Simpson Specimen brought $168,000, just shy of $100,000 more!
I cannot say for sure if Mr. Hansen or his team purchased the coin in the GreatCollections Sale. It would be very rare that they buy a NGC coin and hope to cross it over. Keep in mind, a PCGS MS 65 coin is valued at $12,000 and a PCGS MS 65+ coin is valued at $20,000. I have heard John Brush say buying NGC coins and crossing them is not a risk they see as necessary. The risk was definitely high, but in this case it certainly paid off for someone. I cannot find the coin ever being marketed in the PCGS holder. I am not able to determine any additional pedigree information on this specimen. If Ron Guth or anyone else can help, it would be appreciated?
Without knowing more, this is a really nice upgrade to the Indian Half Eagle CS set that looks like now is showing some progress. The set now has eight PCGS Condition Census Top Five specimens, including three certified as tied for finest by PCGS. The centerpiece is the 1908 Indian Half Eagle, MS76+, CAC, POP 1/0.
1914 Indian Half Eagle, MS66, CAC Approved
Certification #40222594, PCGS #8527, POP 2/0
PCGSGV: $100,000 / Unknown
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Re risk of NGC crossover. Are there any targeted coin rarities in NGC slabs?