The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 2040
1837. No stars, small
date. NGC graded MS-67. One of the finest graded of this important
type coin and first year of issue. The surfaces are alive with mint luster, and
this coin has the appearance of having just been struck. A hint of gold is seen
over the luster and heavily frosted devices. It is believed that the small date
variety (flat topped 1 on the small date, curved serif on 1 on the large date)
is scarcer than the large date. With no stars on the obverse, there is plenty
of open areas for nicks to accumulate, not so here, the surfaces and wide open
fields remain pristine! On the reverse, we note the usual die crack from the
rim to the first A in AMERICA, and other small cracks are seen as well. A great
rarity in this grade, NGC has awarded just 12 pieces with this lofty number,
with one single coin graded above as MS-68. PCGS has graded only 1 coin as high
as MS-67 of this date. An impressive and exciting coin to view, and worthy of a
strong bid.
Estimated Value $12,500-UP.
Lot 2041
1837. No stars, small
date. NGC graded MS-66. This one is frosty and bright and without
toning on either side. The small date is supposed to be scarcer in mint state
(Breen), but NGC only recently began to differentiate between the small and
large dates. The best way to tell them apart is the 1 in the date, on the small
date, the 1 has a flat top to the serif, on the large date, the 1 has a tall
peak with the serif dropping down at an angle from the center post. Further,
the small date die has some die lumps along Liberty's pole arm and her leg
below, and usually there is a die crack down through the first A of AMERICA.
The strike is sharp and full, and we note that the surfaces and luster are
undisturbed. NGC has graded only 45 this high, with just 13 graded higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,500.
Lot 2042
1837. No stars, large
date. NGC graded MS-65. This one boasts particularly nice toning
which ranges from reddish gold for most of the obverse to royal blue at the
rims, the reverse similar but more golden over luster at the centers, with
deeper red and blue at the rims. Boldly struck and with nearly perfect
surfaces, enough so to keep this one in full gem condition. First year of the
new type, and stars were added early in the year 1838, keeping strong demand on
the few gems that survive. NGC has graded 99 of these, with 58 higher of the
date.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 2043
1838. Stars, no drapery.
NGC graded MS-67. A stone white frosty gem that boasts a very sharp
strike and nearly perfect surfaces throughout. Apparently an early die state as
we see no cracks or clash marks, but we note some minor collar breaks at the
extreme edge of the rim above the upper left stars on the obverse. One of the
finest seen by NGC, they've graded 19 this high, with only 1 single coin graded
higher of the Stars, No Drapery variety.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 2044
1838. Stars, no drapery.
NGC graded MS-66. Here is an absolutely gorgeous half dime. The
surfaces are pristine, as expected for the grade, and fiery sunset gold and
blue toning at the rim, with lighter silvery gray at the centers. Sharp on the
obverse, but we note minor weakness on the upper left side of the reverse.
Apparently, many of these were saved as the first of their kind, and NGC has
graded 34 this high, with 20 even higher! Regardless, this is one any true
collector will long love and never feel obliged to upgrade.
Estimated Value
$2,500-3,000.
Lot 2045
1838. Small stars.
NGC graded MS-65. An outstanding coin that exudes glowing gold and
blue toning on both sides. The reverse is sharply struck, and so is the
obverse, but the definition has been greatly reduced by the severity of the die
lapping. In fact, some of the obverse stars are virtually missing, and there is
extensive die rust on Liberty's arms and legs, and a long die crack from the
rim through the last star curling up into the field pointing towards Liberty's
arm. Perhaps underrated as NGC has only graded 4 this high, with none graded
higher of this variety. A true beauty for the numismatist.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,500.
Lot 2046
1839. PCGS graded
MS-66. Blazing white luster without a breath of toning to be found. The
surfaces simply scream with luster. At a glance, the brilliance makes one think
this is some kind of modern issue, as early coins are almost never this bright.
The strike is about as perfect as one could expect, with no signs of weakness
on either side. PCGS has graded 13 this high, with just 5 higher all MS-67
above.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 2047
1839-O. NGC graded
MS-65 Premium Quality. This one is frosty and bright, with just a light
layer of gold toning mostly on the obverse. The strike is sharp, particularly
on the devices, although this is a later die state. There is a bisecting
obverse crack through Liberty's head and body and to the rim below through the
8, and another from the rim through the fourth star to Liberty's elbow. The
reverse die is strongly clashed, with Liberty outlined at the center and above
on the reverse. Examination will note some tiny scrapes on the high points of
the obverse. One of the finest graded by NGC, they report one in this grade,
and two above, one as MS-66 and one as MS-67. In NGC holder 380013-023.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 2048
1839-O, V-2b Small O.
NGC graded MS-64. Steel gray and gold over luster, with multicolored
flecks of green, red and fuchsia near the devices, especially on the reverse.
Both the 1 and 9 show recutting in the date, and the obverse is very boldly
struck, as is the reverse. Relatively early reverse state, with light radial
die cracks. Exceptionally eye appealing if you love toned coins, and this one
is particularly rare and underrated. NGC has graded 2 as such, with 3 higher,
one in each grade above.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 2049
1839-O. PCGS graded
MS-63. An impressive example of this scarce early New Orleans date, the
periphery shows medium to dark gold toning, with the centers remaining bright
and silvery and accented by gold colors. Boldly struck on the obverse, with all
the stars and drapery lines sharp, and the reverse as well, with sharp leaves
and lettering, the only trace of weakness is on the bow knot. Identifiable by a
tiny tick between F A in OF AMERICA and a faint scrape just left of the first S
in STATES. Exceptional eye appeal for the grade and date. PCGS has graded 7
this high, with just 2 higher as MS-64 and 2 at the top as MS-65. An
opportunity for the specialist.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 2050
1840. No drapery, V-2 late
obverse die state. PCGS graded MS-67. One of the very finest graded
of this date, the strike is absolutely needle sharp on the devices, including
Liberty's toe and head. Further, there is a bisecting obverse crack from her
head down through the 8 in the date, with a branching crack through her arm to
the right. Frosty and bright, without a breath of toning on either side. PCGS
has graded only 4 this high, with a single coin graded higher, making this
certainly high in the condition census for the variety, and particularly
desirable for the sharp strike and late obverse die state.
Estimated Value
$4,000-5,000.
Lot 2051
1840. No drapery.
PCI graded MS-64. This one has bright white luster, and we note a
few light hairlines in the fields. A bold strike on all the devices, including
the stars.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 2052
1840. No drapery.
NGC graded MS-62. Sharply struck and well preserved, with a lovely
steel gray color on both sides.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 2053
1840. Drapery. PCGS
graded MS-64 Premium Quality. This one possesses exceptional color on both
sides over lustrous fields. The strike is also bold, with full stars and curls
on Liberty, and the reverse too, is sharp throughout. A few ticks from full
gem, but this is more than made up for by the colorful eye appeal. PCGS has
graded only 12 this high, with 3 higher of the date.
Estimated Value
$1,000-1,200.
Lot 2054
1840-O. Drapery.
PCGS graded EF-40. A scarce coin in all grades, this particular one
has a very sharp strike, luster in the fields, and a touch of gold toning near
the rims.
Estimated Value $300-350.
Lot 2055
1841-O. NGC graded
MS-66. An outstanding rarity in this grade, and certainly one of the very
finest known of the date. The luster dances in the fields, and there is no
toning on either side. The dies both show extensive peripheral rust and wear,
as well as clash marks. Further, the reverse is shattered, with several radial
cracks visible with a glass. NGC in their Population Report show 2 graded this
high, with a single coin graded higher of the date. An important opportunity
for the New Orleans or Half Dime specialist. In NGC holder #1605835-001.
Estimated Value $7,500-UP.
Lot 2056
1841-O. PCGS graded
MS-63. A choice example of this rare coin, the surfaces are silvery white
and basically untoned. Well struck for the date, and note the multiple clash
marks on both sides. PCGS has graded 4 this high, with just 3 above, all MS-64,
making this coin at the lower end of the condition census for the date.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.
Lot 2057
1842. NGC graded
MS-63. Medium steel gray toning with gold and red hues intermixed over
luster. Sharply struck by the dies, with full leaves in the wreath and strong
curls on Liberty, with full stars as well.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 2058
1842-O. PCGS graded
MS-65. Steel gray in color with pristine fields and devices. Boldly struck
throughout, especially on the obverse, where Liberty's drapery and hair details
are sharp, as are the surrounding stars. The 8 and 2 in the date show minor
recutting. Forget the reported mintages of the early New Orleans half dimes,
they are far more difficult to find than one would expect. Especially rare in
this grade, PCGS notes just 3 graded as MS-65, with a single coin graded higher
of the date.
Estimated Value $9,000-UP.
Lot 2059
1842-O. NGC graded
MS-61. This appears to be the V-3 variety, with weakness noted on Liberty's
head, the lower portion of the shield and above the 42 of the date on the
platform that Liberty rests on. Frosty luster in the fields, with a few minor
handling marks which account for the grade. A rare date in mint state grades,
which is seldom offered. This particular one will satisfy most specialists.
Estimated Value $700-900.
Lot 2060
1845. PCGS graded
MS-66 Premium Quality. Bright white and lustrous, with excellent surfaces
throughout. We note virtually no signs of contact with other coins on either
side. Untoned and well struck. PCGS has graded 10 this high, with 5 graded
higher, all MS-67 above. The 184 of the date is very round and fat, while the 5
is thinner. Both the obverse and reverse show clash marks.
Estimated Value
$1,500-2,000.
Lot 2061
1845 Doubled date, V-5.
PCGS graded MS-65. The date on this one is sharply doubled, and for
many years was reported to be an overdate of 5 over 3. Examination now finds
that this is a recutting error in the date. As to the coin itself, it is
particularly nice with rose gold and blue toning on the obverse, and reddish
gold on the reverse over mint luster. While PCGS and NGC do not designate this
variety as a separate entry in their Population Reports, it is likely one of
the finer ones known of the popular double date.
Breen believes that the
abundance of double dates, triple dates, misplaced dates from 1844 to 1849 was
caused by James Barton Longacre, who secured the Mint Engravership position via
Senator John C. Calhoun. The prior Mint Engraver, Christian Gobrecht, had died
in July 1844, and Longacre went around normal Mint procedures and obtained the
Engravership, at the behest of the old line Mint families, the Eckfeldts,
Peales, DuBois and Pattersons. Naturally, the Engravership position being
handed to an outsider greatly upset the apple cart. Either Longacre was
assigned the menial tasks of punching dates into dies, or his employees were
silently protesting Longacre's position, and by failing in their work perhaps
wanted him to be removed. Regardless of which speculation is correct, the truth
may never be known for sure, but we have many fascinating coins with mispunched
dates to ponder.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Lot 2062
1846. NGC graded
Proof 65 Pittman. A rare and seldom offered issue, the proof 1846 half dime
is notable in that perhaps 20 were struck, instead of the usual 10 in earlier
or later years up until 1856 when proof mintages started to climb. Toned with
bluish and lilac gray hues on both sides, with well mirrored and reflective
fields. Boldly and solidly struck by the dies, as expected for a proof. For
future identification we note a faint scratch between stars two and three, and
a longer vertical hairline scratch in the left obverse field inside of star
two, and in NGC holder #209015-008.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
From
David Akers sale of the John Jay Pittman collection in 1996.
Lot 2063
1849. 9 over 6. NGC
graded MS-66. This coin is very sharply struck, but is toned with dark blue
and reddish gold hues on each side. The surfaces are pristine. As to the
overdate feature, it is barely visible on this one, as it is a very late die
state, especially so on the reverse. NGC has graded only 4 this high, with a
single coin graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Lot 2064
1849. 9 over 8.
PCGS graded MS-64. A satiny coin that possesses light gold toning
over luster on both sides and excellent surfaces. The overdate feature is
sharp, with a long lump on the right side of the 9, and other traces present as
well. One tiny tick on the reverse between the wreath ends may have kept this
from a higher grade, but it certainly has gem eye appeal and color. PCGS has
graded 7 this high, with 8 graded higher in grades up to MS-68! In an old green
insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.