My 100 Greatest US Coins Collection
EliteCollection
Posts: 227 ✭✭✭✭✭
For the past 5 years, I've been quietly putting together a collection of the 100 Greatest US Coins. This set is based on the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins book by Jeff Garrett. I figured it was time I showed my set publicly.
https://www.mycollect.com/sets/c2b31eba-138d-11f0-8500-0660ea78a99b
I have been posting a coin a day to Instagram and MyCollect and I will continue to do that until my whole set is announced. I figured this would be an exciting way to share my collection. If there's interest, I can also post it to this thread. Let me know what you guys think of my set!
https://www.mycollect.com/articles/175872/Collection-of-100-Greatest-U-S-Coins-Surprises-Industry
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Comments
Awesome! What is your IG?
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
Outstanding examples of the coins shown above. Is it possible to complete this collection? I know the Schwenk collection had around 35 of the coins and that was an accomplishment. Good luck in your pursuit.
Wow, cool! Do you have all 100?
Post more here please!!
Article states he has 69.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
@EliteCollection - ABSOLUTELY! This board, with what I think has the most experienced collector base, would certainly enjoy learning more about your fabulous collection.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Not exactly. Article say Del Loy Hansen has 69. I have not announced how many I have yet. I made a dent but it's nowhere 100% complete as that's impossible. Many of the top 100 greatest US coins exists only in museums. And many of them never show up for decades.
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http://instagram.com/benjamin.be.13
I post my card collection on that IG as well.
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That’s one heck of an undertaking. The three coins you’ve shown here are absolute knockouts!
Lots of nice coins and cards there, cool.
In case it helps, there is a typo in the title of one of your IG posts, which starts with
"Golf Commemorative Set".
I was wondering why I had not heard of that set.
Your 1802 half dime is very nice! (The ex-Eliasberg).
Here is my 1895 Morgan Silver Dollar PCGS Proof-67+ CAMEO (CAC Green). This coin has a population of 3 with only 2 coins graded higher. The coin is pedigreed to Roadrunner.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #55.
Ron Guth:
Called the "King of Morgan Dollars", the 1895 is one of the most desirable and sought-after dates in the series. Although Mint records indicate a mintage of 12,000 circulation strikes, experts believe that only 880 Proofs were made in 1895. The existence of several circulated examples confuses the issue, but those are believed to have been Proofs that were spent inadvertently. Ownership of this popular rarity is the true measure of completeness for a collection of Morgan Dollars - the 1895 Proof is the only real "stopper" in the series.
Presumably, Proofs can be told apart from potential circulation strikes by the number of edge "reeds" (the raised "bumps" on the edge of the coin). Proofs will have 179 "reeds", whereas circulation strikes will have some other number.
PCGS has graded more Proofs of this date than any other, although the number may be inflated due to re-submissions. A surprising percentage of the coins examined by PCGS have been "spent" Proofs - 87 coins have been certified below Proof-60 (as of June 23, 2010), including one in Proof-06!
1895 $1 PCGS PR 67+ CAM CAC (Pop 3/2)
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Wow! Just WOW!
Please keep posting them here too.
Magnificent achievement so far. When the link opens up and I see the #1 Coin (the '33 DE) and the the #9 (the '07 Ultra High Relief Proof DE) already posted and a part of your set, I just have to stop and sit in awe for a moment.
And that 1792 Disme Pattern (J-10) in Copper is ... ahhhh ... I think I'm speechless.
So many great coins! Thank you for sharing and posting these and again, please include us here as you go along if you can.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Will do! In the next few days, I will catch up by posting here the 37 coins I have already showed.
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Absolutely insane collection, thank you for sharing. Followed you on IG!
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
We're happy to announce these two amazing rarities will be on display at the ANA World's Fair of Money in Oklahoma. John Albanese just posted to a MyCollect thread that the $5 is in his all-time Top Five list.
Unique 1844-O $5 and $10 Proof Gold Coins Reunited After 100 Years Apart
Owner/Founder GreatCollections
GreatCollections Coin Auctions - Certified Coin Auctions Every Week - Rare Coins & Coin Values
Just wow!
Here is my 1864 Two-Cent Piece Small Motto PCGS Proof-65 RB (CAC Green). This coin is one of the finest known with a population of only 3 with no coins graded higher.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #98.
Jaime Hernandez:
In 1863 the U.S. Mint was experimenting with producing Pattern 2 Cent pieces. Some of the first 2 Cent Pattern coins were struck in 1863 and 1864 with a small motto. But early in the production process the Mint changed the motto of the 1864 Proof 2 Cents, to a larger motto.Therefore, the Mint struck two different varieties, one with the words "In God We Trust" with small letters and the second with the larger letters. The 1864 Proof 2 Cents are very rare in any condition and it is estimated that only about 20-30 examples are known.
1864 2C Small Motto PCGS PR 65 RB CAC (Pop 3/0)
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Here is my 1916-D Mercury Dime PCGS MS-65 FB (CAC Green). This coin has a population of 35 with 38 coins graded higher.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #58.
David Hall:
The 1916-D Mercury dime is one of the most heralded key dates of 20th century numismatics. If you collected coins in the 1950s or 1960s, you dreamed of finding a 1916-D dime...or a 1909-S VDB or 1914-D Lincoln cent, or 1932-D or 1932-S quarter...in circualtion. And I certainly did have that dream as a young pre-teen coin collector.
The 1916-D is rare in all grades. Walter Breen has written that mint production of dimes in Denver in 1916 was stopped so that personnel could devote full time to making quarters. The original mintage of 264,000 for the 1916-D is by far the lowest of the Mercury dime series. For comparision, the mintage of the 1916 was 22,180,080 and the mintage for the 1916-S was 10,450,000. The 1916-D is an extremely high demand coin in all grades and even very low grade examples sell for in excess of $1,000.
The 1916-D is rare in mint state and very rare in Gem condition. The strike is usually very sharp and I'd estimated that 80% of more of the mint state survivors have fully struck crossbands. Luster is typically modest. Many examples have some degree of toning.
Note that this is one of the most counterfeited of all U.S. rare coins. The bad guys add a "D" to a 1916 Philadelphia. I have seen counterfeits in all grades and PCGS sees an average of 5 to 10 counterfeits a week. Needless to say, third party authentication is highly recommended.
1916-D 10C PCGS MS 65 FB CAC (Pop 35/38)
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Here is my 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar No Arrows PCGS VG-8. This coin has a population of 1 with only 2 coins graded higher.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #78.
Ron Guth:
Four examples are now known of this great rarity, thanks to the discovery in early 2012 of a new example (certified VG8 by PCGS and illustrated above. All four 1853-O No Arrows Half Dollars are from the same die pair. Each is below the old standard weight of 208.25 grains, but well above the new standard of 192 grains adopted on February 21, 1853. The wear on each of the known examples accounts for the weight discrepancy.
This was the second-to-the-last coin that Louis Eliasberg needed to complete his collection of United States coins.
In a survey of the members of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, published in the March 2008 issue of the Gobrecht Journal, the 1853-O No Arrows Half Dollar was ranked first among the Ten Greatest New Orleans Seated Coins: "...This issue was placed in the top spot by 55% of the respondents and was listed among the top ten coins by 86% of the respondents."
1853-O 50C No Arrows PCGS VG 08 (Pop 1/2)
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Here is my 1861-D Indian Princess Gold Dollar PCGS MS-63 (CAC Green). This coin has a population of 3 with only 2 coins graded higher.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #46.
David Akers:
With the exception of the uncollectible 1849-C Open Wreath, the 1861-D is generally considered to be the "king" of the gold dollar series. Certainly when offered for sale, it invariably brings a higher price than any other date in comparable condition. However, in my opinion, it is no more rare than the 1856-D and actually is much less rare in uncirculated condition. Several very choice uncirculated 1861-D's are known with the incredible Ullmer coin (purchased by Stanley Kesselman) being the finest that I have ever seen. The exact mintage of the 1861-D is not known since the coins were struck after the Confederacy had taken over the Dahlonega Mint. However, judging from the number of specimens known compared to the number known of the 1856-D and 1860-D, I would estimate the mintage to have been somewhere between 1,200 and 1,500 pieces. Most known specimens are weakly struck, and the U in UNITED on the obverse is invariably weak or even missing.
Doug Winter:
The 1861-D is the rarest Dahlonega gold dollar. It is also the best known and most famous issue from this mint because its entire mintage was produced by the Confederate States of America.
The Dahlonega Mint was seized by the Confederacy in April, 1861. Shortly thereafter, a small quantity of gold dollars was struck by the rebel forces. The number of surviving examples has led experts to guess that the mintage figure was somewhere in the area of 1,000-1,500 coins.
This is a rare coin in all grades. The number of high grade specimens is greater than normal for an issue with this small a mintage, suggesting the existence of a small hoard. While sometimes available in Mint State, any Uncirculated 1861-D gold dollar must be considered among the most important and desirable Dahlonega issues imaginable.
1861-D G$1 PCGS MS 63 CAC (Pop 3/2)
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Here is my 1863 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle PCGS Proof-66 DCAM (CAC Green). This coin has a population of 1 with only 1 coin graded higher. The coin is pedigreed to Bob Simpson.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #96.
Ron Guth:
The 1863 Quarter Eagle is extremely popular with collectors because it is a Proof-only issue and, thus, the only option available to anyone seeking a Quarter Eagle of this date from the Philadelphia Mint. With a mintage of only 30 examples, this date creates excitment whenever it appears on the market.
Probably half of the original mintage survives. I know of thirteen demonstrably different examples, including two circulated examples and two in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. Most examples are cameos, though there are several that were certified before PCGS recognized the Cameo designation and which would receive either a CAM or a DCAM designation upon re-examination.
The finest 1863 Quarter Eagle is a PCGS PR66DCAM which sold for a record price of $195,500 in 2012. It currently reposes in the Simpson Collection.
David Akers:
No quarter eagles were minted for general circulation at the Philadelphia Mint in 1863. However, 30 proofs were struck and so this is one of the rarest and most desirable of all Liberty Head quarter eagles. Actually, in proof, the 1863 has appeared at auction more often than any other quarter eagle of the 1860's. However, other dates are available in other conditions, and therefore, this date has attained a much higher price level than other proofs of this decade. Of the 30 proofs originally minted, I would estimate that no more than 10 to 12 remain in unimpaired state.
1863 $2.50 PCGS PR 66 DCAM CAC (Pop 1/1)
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Fantastic! Thanks for sharing and keep’em coming!
Great coins. You are providing a lot of enjoyment.
You should charge admission to view this thread. Outstanding collection.
MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940
Great coins. You make my day.
It is a fantasy come true to see these coins together! Thank you!
Absolutely epic, Elite! Thanks for sharing. Sorry for the drool.
Here is my 1874 $10 Gold Bickford PCGS Proof-65+ CAMEO. This coin is the single finest known with no coins graded higher. The coin is pedigreed to Bob Simpson.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #86.
David Akers:
In 1867, a monetary convention was held in Paris to establish an international gold coin of fixed, interchangeable value. As a result of this convention, the U.S. Mint struck a pattern half eagle in copper and aluminum dated 1868 whose denomination read 5 DOLLARS 25 FRANCS. No other monetary units were utilized in the design by Paquet because the convention had agreed to make the French franc the basis of value. This necessitated lowering the value of both the U.S. five dollar gold piece and the English sovereign. This lowering of value required reducing the weight of the half eagle from 129 grains to 124.9 grains so that it would conform exactly to 25 FRANCS. Other gold coins would have been changed accordingly as well. The bill introduced in Congress to effect this change was defeated and the matter was dropped, only to be revived again in 1874.
When Dana Bickford of New York City travelled to Europe he had difficulty in exchanging the money of one country for another. Upon his return home, he suggested several designs to Director of the Mint Henry R. Linderman and the 1874 pattern eagle was the result. Congress, however, again failed to approve the idea.
The Bickford eagle was known only in copper to R.C. Davis and a 1906 article in the Numismatist again referred to the design, but the author also only knew of its existence in copper. The two known gold pieces probably came to light a few years later, either as part of the Idler collection that Idler's son-in-law Capt. John Haseltine sold, or as part of the large group of patterns that William Wooding obtained from A.L. Snowden as payment for returning two 1877 half unions to the Mint Collection.
1874 $10 Gold Bickford PCGS PR 65+ CAM (Pop 1/0)
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Here is my 1802 Draped Bust Half Dime PCGS AU-53 (CAC Green). This coin has a population of 1 with only 2 coins graded higher. The coin is pedigreed to Woodward and Bender.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #76.
Ron Guth:
The 1802 Half Dime is one of the classic rarities in United States coins thanks to a small mintage and a low survival rate. Breen (1988) claims the date was first "recorded" in 1863, when three examples were known, but according to David Davis, the first auction appearance of an 1802 Half Dime was in Edward Cogan's December 1859 sale. In 1883, Harold P. Newlin enumerated 16 examples, but according to Logan & McCloskey (1998, p. 9), he overlooked at least a few auction appearances. In 1935, James MacAllister claimed to know of 35 examples (Breen, p. 279). The definitive listing of 1802 Half Dimes appears in Logan & McCloskey (pp. 9-38), where David J. Davis chronicled 167 sales and appearances over a 140 year time period. By combining duplicate appearances and matching against Newlin's and Breen's lists, Davis confirmed a population of 35 examples. The majority of the known examples are in low grade. The finest example known is the About Uncirculated Garrett example, though there are some close competitors. No true Uncirculated examples are known.
1802 H10C PCGS AU 53 CAC (Pop 1/2)
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Here is my 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle PCGS MS-66+ (CAC Green). This coin has a population of 1 with only 1 coin graded higher. The coin is pedigreed to Louis E. Eliaberg.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #27 and it is also ranked #10 in "Elite's Top Ten Famous U.S. Ultra Rarities".
David Akers:
When all grades are considered, the 1927-D is the rarest collectible, regular issue Saint-Gaudens double eagle by far. Futhermore, it is also the rarest 20th-century gold coin of any denomination. Estimates of the number of examples known of the 1927-D generally have been in the six to eight pieces. The Eliasberg coin now owned by a prominent Eastern collector is a high end MS-65, and the Dr. Steven Duckor example which he purchased from Auction '84 and the Browning specimen are both full MS-65. The three examples in the Smithsonian Institution are all MS-63 to MS-64 as is the coin from Stack's October 1985 sale that was purchased by MTB for a client. It is difficult to pick out one piece as the "finest" but that accolade most likely should go to the Elaiasberg specimen.
In the 1940's, when many great collections were sold (J.F. Bell, Flanagan, WGC, Atwater etc.), the 1927-D was considered to be rare but it was not held in the same high regard as the 1924-S and 1926-D which were considered to be the two rarest dates in the series, nor was it thought to be as rare as the 1926-S, 1927-S, or 1931-D. However, since the early 1950's additional specimens of all others have turned up but, to the best of my knowledge, no "new" 1927-D Double Eagles have been discovered during that time.
The 1927-D is always well struck, except that the stars in the lower left quadrant are normally flat. The surfaces are always frosty, and the color and lustre are very good to excellent. All specimens that I have seen have similar color, a light medium orange and greenish gold. Not surprisingly, a nice 1927-D (and most of them are nice) looks very much like a nice 1923-D or 1924-D.
1927-D $20 PCGS MS 66+ CAC (Pop 1/1)
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As I posted my reaction on MyCollect, I’ll post it here too, as my keyboard is ruined!
Thanks so VERY much for sharing these special treasures with us!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Here is my 1907 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle Extremely High Relief, Lettered Edge PCGS Proof-68 (CAC Green). This coin has a population of 3 with only 1 coin graded higher. This coin is pedigreed to J.F. Bell and Colonel E.H.R Green
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #9 and it is also ranked #9 in "Elite's Top Ten Famous U.S. Ultra Rarities".
David Akers:
This remarkable numismatic work-of-art was created by the famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the personal request of President Theodore Roosevelt who wanted to make the nation's coinage more artistic. Although the design concepts and drawings were Saint-Gaudens', he was gravely ill in late 1906 and so his assistant, Henry Hering, executed the plaster models for the design and delivered them to the Mint in December, 1906. The Chief Engraver, Charles Barber, flatly stated that is was impossible for any mint to make such a coin. However, Hering had purposely made the models in extremely high relief ""knowing perfectly well they could not stamp in one strike."" Hering convinced Barber that experimentation was necessary and Barber finally agreed to make dies.
The exact number of pieces struck is not known and opinions vary. Whatever the actual original mintage, I estimate that approximately 13-15 are known today.
All of the Extremely High Reliefs were made with great care and were handled with care. They were never available to the general public or even prominent numismatists, and nearly all of those now known can be traced back directly to President Theodore Roosevelt or Chief Engraver Charles Barber. As a result,most of the known examples are of gem or even superb quality. Without question, this is the most beautiful coin ever made. All Extremely High Relief double eagles were minted as proofs, each being struck on a special, polished planchet and receiving nine blows from the dies. The surfaces are very satiny, somewhat like the Proofs of 1909 and 1910 though not as brilliant, and the detail is extraordinarily sharp.
1907 $20 Ultra High Relief PCGS PR 68 CAC (Pop 3/1)
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Here is my 1879 Four-Dollar Gold Piece Coiled Hair PCGS Proof-66+ CAMEO (CAC Green). This coin is one of the finest known with a population of only 2 with no coins graded higher. The coin is pedigreed to Bob Simpson.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #18 and it is also ranked #8 in "Elite's Top Ten Famous U.S. Ultra Rarities".
David Akers:
It has been estimated that only ten pieces of the 1879 coiled hair stella were struck, but in my opinion, a very small quantity were restruck, probably in 1880 along with the 400 pieces of the 1879 flowing hair stella. One specimen , the piece in the Rio Rancho Estate Sale of 1974, bears precisely the same kind of very light adjustment marks that are seen on the restrikes of the 1879 flowing hair. Such marks, of course, are not decisive proof by themselves, but considered together with the number of known specimens and the relatively frequent auction appearances compared to the 1880 coiled hair stella (it was offered three more times than the 1880 coiled hair stella in our 238 catalogue survey, but in a check of nearly 200 catalogues back to its first auction appearance in 1882, the 1879 coiled hair has appeared more than half again as often as the 1880 coiled hair), it seems that there was a limited restrike activity. I cannot account for ten different specimens, but since it is unlikely that I know the whereabouts of all existing pieces, I feel certain that there are several additional pieces in collections, museums or estates. For this reason, I would estimate that the total number in existence is probably somewhere around 13 to 15 pieces.
David Hall:
The Coiled Hair design $4 Stellas are much rarer than the Flowing Hair design as a mere handful of the 1879 and 1880 Coiled Hair Stellas were struck while 425 1879 Flowing Hair Stellas were struck. For the 1879 Coiled Hair, it is not 100% certain how many were made, but general consensus is that the original mintage was around 20 and there are 14 or 15 survivors today.
1879 $4 Coiled Hair PCGS PR 66+ CAM CAC (Pop 2/0)
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@VanHalen @pwrful4
Just one more reason I'm happy to be attending this show. See you there, Ian.
Tim
Thank you for doing this, @EliteCollection. I think it would be an understatement to say that you have a fantastic (or even amazing) collection.
And I must say, this is, without question, the best forum giveaway, ever! 😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@EliteCollection - I have been collecting coins all my life and I would like to thank you for sharing your journey with us and sharing your fantastic coins added to your cabinet along the way.
Just fabulous and good luck on your quest. FYI- I predict that this will be my favorite thread.........
That EHR Saint is simply jaw-dropping.
You’ve made the transition of being a collector, to becoming a curator.
MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940
Thank you EliteCollection for sharing your coins on the forum. The 1907 EHR Saint is gorgeous!!!
When I grow too old too dream....
I'll just stroll through your collection and pretend it's mine.
@EliteCollection, since I'm a big half dime fan, I'm pasting the 1802 half dime writeup from the Bowers & Merena Eliasberg catalog below. If you click the link it'll take you to the online version at the Newman Numismatic Portal; you can download the file in PDF format. The 1802 is on page 251 of the file.
Capped Bust Half Dime registry set: Bikergeek CBHD LM Set
Thanks for sharing this numismatic wonderland! As a Saint collector I was drawn to the 1927D and the Extremely HR, both incredibly rare and gorgeous coins. However, this show of awesomeness is incomplete without a peek at the 1933 DE. Please do share! Congrats on assembling this collection.
I have no doubt this will be the single greatest set ever formed surpassing your own Saint collection. You can review my modest attempt at this set on my website: www.sc-coins.com. I am currently working on a 100 Greatest Banknote collection. I own 80. Like coins many of those left are not available or only show up rarely. I should be able to add maybe 5 more as well as upgrading the notes I already own. Good luck I look forward to examining your set in its entirety.
George, I have seen your "modest" Saint collection! Hardly, EliteCollection just got you beat by a hair
. I am thrilled to have acquired your 1920 though. I do have a plan to overtake EliteCollection. It involves selling all my assets and converting proceeds to the cheapest crypto meme coins. Just looking for a 10,000% return and voila, EliteCollection is toast. Although I have calculated the odds of homelessness and they are quite significant.
Simply amazing!!! I am curious do you own any of the following 4 coins:
1793 Strawberry Leaf cent
1913 Liberty Head nickel
1894-S dime (my personal favourite US coin of all-time)
1804 dollar
Why don't you make an offer to the Treasury for the 1849 $20? You never know???
Follow and find out!
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Here is my 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition $50 Gold, Round PCGS MS-66+ (CAC Green). This is the second finest graded with only one (MS 67) graded higher.
This coin is part of "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins" and it is ranked #37.
The Panama-Pacific International Exposition was held in San Francisco, California from in 1915 to commemorate the completion and opening of the Panama Canal, and also to celebrate the city’s rise from the ashes of the 1906 earthquake. A commemorative series was authorized by the United States Congress to be struck at the San Francisco Mint: a silver 50C, a gold $1, a gold $2.5, an Octagonal $50 Gold Piece, and a Round $50 Gold Piece.
1915-S $50 Round Panama-Pacific MS 66+ CAC (Pop 1/1)
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Here is my 1787 Fugio Cent STATES UNI, 4 Cinq PCGS MS-66 BN. This coin is one of the finest known with a population of 5 and no coins graded higher.
This coin is #40 in my set "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins".
Wikipedia:
The Fugio cent, also known as the Franklin cent, is the first official circulation coin of the United States. Consisting of 0.36 oz (10 g) of copper and minted dated 1787, by some accounts it was designed by Benjamin Franklin. Its design is very similar to Franklin's 1776 Continental Currency dollar coin that was produced in pattern pieces as potential Continental currency but was never circulated.
Ron Guth:
"The Fugio Cent is one of the most popular of all U.S. "colonial" coins because 1) it is a quasi-Federal coinage (in other words, not associated with a particular colony), and 2) it is available in fairly large quantities in Mint State thanks to the Bank of New York Hoard, which contained thousand of Uncirculated examples.
The cinquefoils refer to the ornaments on the front of the coin: before and after FUGIO and before and after the date. The Four Cinquefoil obverses were combined with a number of different reverse types. This variety has the word STATES on the left side of the label on the reverse (others have raised rims, UNITED on the left side, etc.).
Quality-control was good, but not strict on these coins, thus fully struck, well-centered examples are difficult to locate. Planchet laminations and voids are also common flaws on these coins. For these reasons, the typical grade for Mint State examples is MS62 to MS63. Gem are truly rare, and the best examples include three PCGS MS66BNs."
1787 1C Fugio States United, 4 Cinq Edge PCGS MS 66 BN (Pop 5/0)
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Here is my 1776 Continental Currency EG FECIT, Pewter PCGS MS-65 (CAC Green). This coin has a population of 5 with only a single coin (MS 66) graded higher.
This coin is #91 in my set "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins".
The Continental Dollar was the first pattern coin struck for the United States. The coins were designed by Benjamin Franklin and were minted in 1776.
P. Scott Rubin:
"The pewter 1776 Continental Dollar with the words EG FECIT on the obverse is known as Newman 3-D. This is one of the extremely unusual, but not unique, colonial issues that contain references to the maker of the die. The Latin word FECIT can be translated as “made it” and the EG is assumed to be the initials of the maker. Eric Newman identified Elisha Gallaudet as the EG on this die in the August, 1959 issue of The Numismatist.
The Newman D reverse die differs from the other reverse die (Newman A, B and C are all the same die in different states), most obviously by the placement of New Hampshire compared to Massachusetts near the 12 o’clock position. On Newman A, B, and C, Massachusetts comes before New Hampshire; on Newman D it comes after New Hampshire.
Approximately ten percent of the pewter 1776 “EG FECIT” survivors are known in Mint State, which translates to approximately twenty to twenty-five Mint State examples."
1776 $1 Continental Currency EG FECIT, Pewter PCGS MS 65 CAC (Pop 5/1)
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Here is my 1854-S Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle PCGS VG-10. This coin has a population of 1 with 6 coins graded higher.
This coin is #93 in my set "Elite's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins".
P. Scott Rubin:
The 1854-S Quarter Eagle is one of the rarest of all U.S. regular issue coinage, with a reported mintage of only 346 coins. Not only was the mintage very small but it appears the coin was well-used at the time of issue since nearly all known specimens grade no better than Very Fine.
There is not a single specimen known today that would grade Mint State. In fact the finest graded by PCGS is an AU50 from the Harry Bass collection. It is interesting to note that the same Bass coin which is originally from the F.C.C. Boyd collection was only graded Very Fine the first three times it appeared at auction, in 1946, 1948 and again in 1958. The 1958 sale was New Netherlands Coin Company’s 51st Sale -- this firm was notorious for under grading at the time. A look at the plate from that sale shows a coin with all appearances of a grade higher than Very Fine.
The first appearance of an 1854-S Quarter Eagle seems to be Elder’s 1921 auction of the Lewis C. Gehring collection where a specimen graded About Fine sold as lot 488. The next auction sale of an 1854-S Quarter Eagle did not occur until 1940. It should be noted that the Gehring collection is one of the first to offer a serious collection of mintmarked gold. This coin seems to be overlooked in all census information available today of 1854-S Quarter Eagles.
David Akers:
The 1854-S is one of the rarest of all U.S. gold coins. Its low mintage of only 246 pieces is the third lowest of any regularly issued U.S. gold coin. (Only the 1875 eagle and half eagle have lower mintages.) All known specimens are very low grade, and I have not seen one that would fully grade extremely fine, although according to Stanley Kesselman, the one purchased by Harry Bass from Stack's comes very close. I would estimate that no more than 12 to 15 specimens are known.
1854-S $2.50 PCGS VG 10 (Pop 1/6)
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