2002 November Santa Clara Signature Sale - Session 3

1854 $3 MS61 NGC. A nicely struck example that has extensive bright luster and a few wispy slide marks in the centers. Important notice: We expect to

1854 $3 MS63 PCGS. Lustrous orange-gold surfaces with good mint luster for the grade. There are no large or objectionable abrasions on either side of

1863 $3 MS62 NGC. Ex: Princess Collection. While clashmarks (as struck) are visible around the central devices on both sides, striations (also as prod

1878 $3 AU58 ANACS. Both sides have a few wispy slide marks, but the luster is very extensive and the portrait has only a hint of rub on the lowest ha

1878 $3 MS61 PCGS. Well struck except for the 18 in the date, which has only a hint of weakness. Lustrous and surprisingly clean for the grade, with a

1878 $3 MS62 PCGS. A boldly struck piece that has lovely honey-gold color and surprisingly clean surfaces for the grade. The $3 Princess is the stoppe

1888 $3 PR66 Cameo PCGS. The 1888 is the most frequently encountered date among proof Three Dollar Gold Pieces with 291 pieces struck and an estimated

1795 $5 Small Eagle--Scratched, Cleaned--ANACS. Unc Details, Net AU50. B. 1-B, Miller-2, R.4. Sharply defined throughout, other than being bright from

1795 $5 Small Eagle AU50 PCGS. B. 6-F, Miller-9, R.5. The Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle Five is the first U.S. gold coin, and it fulfilled Mint Direc

1799 $5 Small Stars Reverse--Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF45. B. 2-B, Miller-33, R.5. This is a not unattractive coin despite scattered hairlines

1803/2 $5--Repaired, Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. B. 2-D, Miller-58, R.4. Honey-gold in overall color, this coin offers sharp, minimally rubb

1803/2 $5 MS62 NGC. B. 2-D, Miller-58, R.4. While certainly not a common coin in an absolute sense, the 1803/2 does boast a respectable original minta

1805 $5 MS61 NGC. B. 3-D, Miller-73, R.4. As is typical of many extant 1805 Half Eagles, this BU quality survivor combines a sharply struck reverse wi

1807 $5 Bust Left--Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. B. 5-D, Miller-101, R.3. A bright and sharply struck representative that has light rub on Lib

1807 $5 Bust Left MS62 NGC. B. 5-D, Miller-101, R.3. The eagle, stars, and legends are well struck, as is the portrait except for the center of the ha

1807 $5 Bust Left MS62 NGC. B. 5-D, Miller-101, R.3. This is a very attractive coin for the BU grade. The yellow-gold surfaces are overlaid in swirlin

1809/8 $5--Ex: Jewelry--ANACS. AU Details, Net VF20. B. 1-A, Miller-108, the only known dies, R.3. Sharply struck on the obverse, the surfaces have a

1810 $5 Large Date, Large 5 VF30 Cleaned Uncertified. B. 1-A, Miller-109, R.2. An affordable type candidate, this medium gold example displays moderat

1810 $5 Large Date, Large 5--Cleaned--ANACS. Unc Details, Net AU58. B. 1-A, Miller-109, R.2. This coin displays razor sharp striking that is quite unc

1812 $5--Damaged--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF45. Wide 5D. B. 1-B, Miller-118, R.3. Sharply struck except on the eagle's neck, as always, the green...

1834 $5 Plain 4--Scratched--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. Second Head, McCloskey 4-C, R.4. A bright pinscratch below the beak of the eagle confirms the

1834 $5 Plain 4 XF45 PCGS. Breen-6501, First Head, McCloskey 3-B, R.2. Strong hints of luster outline the stars and legends. Somewhat softly struck in

1834 $5 Plain 4 XF45 PCGS. Second Head, McCloskey 2-B, R.3. The surfaces have wispy slide marks, but there are no singularly mentionable abrasions. Ni

1834 $5 Plain 4 AU53 PCGS. First Head, Script 8, McCloskey 1-A, R.3. A variety identified by the high 3 within the crowded date. A well struck coin th

1835 $5 MS62 NGC. First Head. Breen-6504, McCloskey 1-A, R.3. Warm green-gold color dominates the outward appearance of this satin textured representa

1836 $5 MS63 NGC. Second Head, Large Date. Breen-6509, McCloskey 4-D, R.3. The 1836 boasts the second highest mintage (553,147 pieces) in the short-li

1838 $5--Cleaned--ANACS. XF Details, Net VF30. Small Arrows, Large 5, McCloskey 2-B, R.2. A glossy and lightly hairlined example that has subdued but

1839 $5 XF45 PCGS. The devices are richly detailed, while a couple of the left side stars are flatly struck. Luster glimmers from protected areas. An

1843 $5 AU58 PCGS. A surprisingly well struck piece that has bright peripheral luster and only lightly abraded fields. The vertical shield lines exten

1843 $5 MS62 NGC. Although limited when compared to the mintage figures of many later dates in the Liberty Half Eagle series, the 1843 was produced in

1844 $5 AU58 NGC. A boldly struck example of this conditionally scarce issue, which provides good value in Borderline Uncirculated condition. The surf

1844 $5 MS61 PCGS. A well struck Half Eagle with bright and extensive mint luster. The second 4 in the date appears to be recut on the crossbar. A few

1844-O $5 AU53 PCGS. An aesthetically pleasing survivor, there are uncommonly few distractions for the AU53 level. Of course, scattered abrasions are

1846-O $5 VF35 NGC. The obverse appears to have minor rim dings at 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock, and a planchet flaw (as made) is north of the se...

1847-C $5 AU53 NGC. The 1847-C is one of the most frequently encountered Charlotte Half Eagles. However, examples in AU are significant type coins for

1850-D $5 AU50 ICG. In terms of total number of coins known, the 1850-D falls near the middle of the rarity scale among Dahlonega Mint Half Eagles. Ab

1852 $5 MS63 PCGS. While the 1852 is easy enough to locate in lower grades, at the Select Uncirculated level it is quite a challenge. Only nine other

1854-C $5--Repaired, Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net VF30. Winter 22-I. The scarcer of the two varieties for the year. The mintmark is bold, but the e

1854-D $5 MS62 PCGS. Winter 24-R. This coin was struck from the same reverse die that the Dahlonega Mint used to deliver 1853-D Half Eagles of the Win

1854-O $5 AU55 PCGS. Far from the common date that many have believed it to be for years, the 1854-O is conditionally very elusive in high grades. It

1856-D $5--Repaired, Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net VF30. The 1856-D is well known to collectors as the third rarest D-mint Five after the 1842-D Lar

1857-C $5 AU53 PCGS. A bright example with abundant luster and a few unimportant contact marks. A small planchet flaw (as made) is located above the o

1858-C $5 AU50 NGC. The 1858-C is the most commonly available Half Eagle from this popular Southern mint. However, in terms of the total number of coi

1866-S $5 No Motto AU53 PCGS. A richly detailed example that has golden-brown color and abundant bright peripheral luster. The fields are free from di

1866-S $5 Motto AU53 NGC. The 1866-S Motto is easier to locate in all grades than its No Motto counterpart. However, it is a conditionally challenging

1868-S $5 AU58 NGC. This coin was previously offered as lot 9179 in our July 2002 New York Signature Sale, where it was described as: "Well def...

1869 $5 AU58 NGC. The Philadelphia Mint required only a single day (February 5) to produce its entire delivery of 1869-dated Half Eagles. Undoubtedly,

1873 $5 Open 3 AU55 NGC. A Choice AU example of this scarcer issue. Sharply struck, the orange-gold surfaces retain good portions of mint luster and e

1873 $5 Closed 3 MS61 PCGS. A nicely struck example that has extensive bright luster and a carefully preserved reverse. The obverse field has a couple

1873-S $5 AU50 PCGS. This coin was previously offered as lot 1566 in our June 2002 Long Beach Bullet Auction, where it was cataloged as: "An el...

No lot. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up wit

1874-S $5 AU55 NGC. An early Motto Liberty Half Eagle from the San Francisco Mint, the 1874-S was produced to the extent of just 16,000 pieces. Surviv

1877 $5 MS61 NGC. The 1877 is a widely recognized rarity. Only 1,132 business strikes were produced, which is the second lowest mintage of all P-mint

1877-S $5 AU58 NGC. This coin retains an uncommon amount of luster for this often extensively circulated date. Ample remnants of a satiny finish are s

1879 $5 MS64 NGC. The 1879 is a surprisingly scarce issue in Mint State, even though more than 300,000 pieces were struck. This coin has smooth, lustr

1879-S $5 MS61 PCGS. The date was originally entered too low, largely effaced, and repunched. Remnants of the original logotype are visible within the

1880-S $5 MS63 PCGS. A sharply struck and lustrous piece that has bright color and only lightly abraded surfaces. An attractive representative of the

1880-S $5 MS63 NGC. Sharply defined throughout with bright, semi-prooflikeness in the fields and reddish-golden colored surfaces. Important notice: We

1881 $5 MS63 PCGS. Richly toned and without any notable contact marks. A well struck coin with extensive luster and good eye appeal for the grade. Imp

1881/0 $5 MS62 NGC. Ex: Ted Clark. FS-005. Formerly offered as lot 7031 in our April Central States Sale, where it was described in part as, "F...

1882-S $5 MS63 PCGS. A nicely struck and lustrous Half Eagle. A couple of faint luster grazes are all that prevent an even higher grade. Important not

1882-S $5 MS64 PCGS. A sharply struck near-Gem that has glorious eye appeal due to its clean surfaces, bright orange color, flashy luster, and mildly

1883-S $5 AU58 NGC. Sharply struck with a light accent of reddish patina. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per

1885-S $5 MS63 PCGS. A sharply struck and lustrous piece that is carefully preserved. A short pinscratch between stars 4 and 5 is the only remotely re

1886-S $5 MS63 PCGS. A boldly struck example with good luster and olive-gold color. A luster graze or two on the obverse is of little importance. Impo

1886-S $5 MS63 PCGS. A boldly struck specimen that has strong luster and beautifully preserved fields. Rich honey-gold color adds to the eye appeal. A

1886-S $5 MS65 NGC. Even though 3.2 million pieces were struck of the 1886-S, it is surprisingly scarce in high grades and Gems are especially difficu

1887-S $5 MS61 PCGS, well struck with reddish-golden color and bright mint luster; and an 1887-S MS61 PCGS, somewhat softly struck, the obverse field

1887-S $5 MS64 NGC. Well struck aside from the arrow feathers and the left side stars. An exquisitely preserved near-Gem with impressive luster and im

1891 $5 MS63 PCGS. A well struck coin with good luster and clean surfaces. The highest arrowhead points to a tiny planchet flaw, as made. Struck from

1891-CC $5 MS62 NGC. A well struck and lustrous coin with a few minor luster grazes in the fields. Curiously, the outer point of star 2 appears to be

1891-CC $5 MS62 PCGS. A well struck and lustrous coin with rich peach patina. The obverse field has numerous tiny pinprick abrasions that are appropri

1892 $5 MS63 NGC. A scarcer issue in Mint State even though more than three-quarters of a million pieces were struck. Well defined overall, the reddis

1892-S $5 MS62 NGC. A nicely struck specimen that has extensive flashy luster and clean devices. A scarcer issue at this level of preservation. Import

1892-S $5 MS64 NGC. Most 1892-S Fives grade no higher than MS62. This is a splendid piece that is very nearly of full Gem quality (none of which have

1894-S $5 AU55 PCGS. Formerly offered as lot 9210 in our recent New York Sale, where it was described as, "The mintmark is repunched. Rich crim...

1895 $5 MS65 NGC. The 1895 is another issue that is virtually unknown above MS63. This is the first Gem we can remember having handled, and frankly, w

1895-S $5 AU55 NGC. A Choice AU example of this scarce issue from the 1890s. Sharply defined with deep reddish patina around the devices. Population:

1895-S $5 AU58 NGC. Sharply struck with nicely lustrous surfaces. A very scarce issue in AU and Mint State, this piece represents excellent value. Imp

1896 $5 MS63 PCGS. Sharply defined throughout with rich, original, softly frosted mint luster. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at th

1899 $5 MS63 ICG. A boldly struck and lustrous piece with immaculate fields that at first glance appear to deserve a higher grade. A faint pinscratch

1899 $5 MS65 NGC. With richly colored, reddish-gold surfaces and powerfully impressed devices, this lovely Half Eagle would fit comfortably into a Gem

1899-S $5 MS64 PCGS. Fully struck throughout and very nearly of full Gem quality. The golden-reddish surfaces show soft mint frost and there are very

1900 $5 MS63 NGC. Sharply defined with bright, satiny mint luster. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour.

1901 $5 Half Eagle--Cleaned--ANACS, Unc Details, Net AU55, a minor numismatic tragedy, as this well struck, lustrous, and unabraded coin would surely

1901 $5 MS65 PCGS. Fully struck throughout with rich mint frost over surfaces that show virtually no abrasions. One of the more commonly encountered i

1901-S $5 MS63 NGC. A lustrous lemon-gold representative. Well struck except for the final three stars. A solitary luster graze between stars 3 and 4

1901-S $5 MS63 PCGS. A boldly struck coin with greenish-gold color and a pleasing luster. The surfaces are refreshingly free from notable abrasion. Im

1905-S $5 MS61 NGC. A lustrous and lightly abraded piece that has a well struck reverse. The hair curls above the coronet and a couple of obverse star

1905-S $5 MS62 NGC. Fully struck with bright reddish tinted satiny luster. Surprisingly scarce in mint condition with only 17 pieces so graded with 27

1906 $5 MS65 PCGS. From an original mintage of 348,820 pieces comes this conditionally scarce, Gem quality Liberty Half Eagle. The peripheries are dre

1906 $5 MS66 NGC. One of the finest survivors of this otherwise common P-mint Half Eagle, this premium quality Gem is alive with rich, swirling mint f

1906-D $5 AU58 NGC, nicely struck and surprisingly unabraded with extensive mint luster; and a 1907-D AU58 NGC, sharply struck, a clean cheek, a small

1906-D $5 MS64 NGC. Well defined with satiny mint luster and a light, even overlay of reddish patina over the green-gold surfaces. Important notice: W

1907 $5 MS63 PCGS. A bright and boldly struck representative that has flashy luster and carefully preserved surfaces. An attractive coin that may soon

1907 $5 MS65 NGC. Fully struck with smooth, bright, lustrous surfaces that show only the slightest abrasions (certainly none could be considered troub

1884 $5 PR64 Deep Cameo PCGS. This is a simply breathtaking near-Gem whose richly colored surfaces are bathed in reddish-gold and orange-gold shades.

1908 $5 MS62 PCGS. Well struck aside from the shoulder of the eagle. A minor pinscratch crosses the R in TRUST, but this lightly toned piece has ample

1908 $5 MS63 PCGS. A needle-sharp coin with golden-brown color and beautifully preserved surfaces. An attractive first-year example. Important notice:

1908 $5 MS63 PCGS. Deep lemon-gold color, with a few areas of dark gray color near the margins. A short scratch precedes the L in LIBERTY, with the su