Coins We Love 2019: Moving On to 2020!
In the past we’ve done a small year in review at DLRC, but sometimes it’s difficult to look back over the past 12 months.This year we see reviews of a past decade. With so much going on, it’s hard to remember 2019, let alone 2010-19. That being said, we always like to look towards the future to see what we can do better. As a historian, that drives me a little crazy as I value learning from the past, but we also like to forge ahead as best we can on a regular basis.
This year we can look back at 52 online auctions, 34,000 coins we’ve handled (not including bullion and misc. lots), a Civil War Sword, a Declaration of Independence Copy, over 200,000 miles flown, 15 concrete bourse floors (and a few carpeted ones!), several million dollar coins: an 1894-S Dime, an 1885 Proof Trade Dollar, and an 1829 $5 Half Eagle, as well as many new friendships that we’ve made in the hobby. 2019 was a great year for DLRC thanks to customers like you, and we certainly appreciate it. In our effort to make 2020 even better, we ask that you continue by letting us know how we can improve our service. We’ll keep striving forward and hopefully our paths will cross with each and every one of you, whether electronically or in person. We thank you for 2019 and look forward to 2020 with you!
Sincerely,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it: The key to the Indian cent set and desired by nearly all collectors of U.S. coins. Satiny surfaces glow with mint luster and stunning amounts of red. Registry quality gem with impeccable details, extremely high end for the grade. Tied for finest Red Brown example with six others, and one of only two with CAC approval.
Value: There are just six others graded the same by PCGS in which this piece is on its own level with its CAC approval making it possibly the nicest example of them all. Considering not only its condition and CAC approval, but also the popularity and desirability of this key date, we find the starting bid of $35,000 in this week’s auction to be an excellent value for the advanced collector.
Why we love it: A registry quality example of this slightly better Denver minted date Indian Gold Eagle. A gorgeous and exceedingly well-struck example. Booming luster beams intensely from both sides and brings out the rose and tangerine undertones. Only four pieces are graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The most recent comparable sale of this coin came in October through auction and brought $27,025, which is far more accurate than the PCGS Price Guide value of $35,000. Our example can be purchased via Make Offer for lower than both above figures at a best price of just $26,000.
Why we love it: Popular and scarce double die Lincoln cent with full, bold doubling on the date and obverse lettering. These surfaces are pristine for the grade as the CAC approval proves that this piece looks like a true gem. A blue-green tint can be seen on the obverse combined with impeccable luster on both sides of the coin. Just 13 pieces are graded finer by PCGS with the red-brown color designation.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $5,250. Via the Make Offer function on our website, this coin can be purchased for the low price of just $4,100. That is a solid discount of an entire $1,150 off the PCGS Price Guide.
Why we love it: A gorgeous near-gem example of this desirable and ideal type coin issue for the capped bust design (large size). This CAC approved stunner displays frosty silver centers with light lime and golden tints making incredible eye appeal. Only 54 other examples exist graded finer across both grading services.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $7,500 with its plus grade and $4,850 without it. We sold a comparable but less attractive piece in 2018 which brought $4,600 at auction in 2017. This beauty has a starting bid of $5,000 in this week’s auction.
Why we love it: A popular Draped Bust Half Dollar type coin. Richly toned with cobalt blue and lilac, this piece is far prettier than an image can portray due to the darker hues. A gorgeous example of this early Bust Half in which just 22 coins are graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG value on this coin are extremely comparable at a respective $21,500 and $20,600. This closeness in estimates should bring potential bidders great assurance on the accuracy of those numbers. The best price via Make Offer is set reasonably at just $16,500.
Why we love it: Solid AU surfaces with just the slightest amount of cabinet friction, this piece of Pioneer gold is popular amongst collectors of all types. Clark, Gruber & Co., Leavenworth, and Kansas bankers formed a branch of their establishment in Denver after gold was discovered in the region in the 1850s. Clark, Gruber became the largest mint in the territory. Its operation would subsequently form the basis for the Denver Mint.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $9,350 in AU58, and in MS60 it’s valued at $10,500. No estimate of PCGS accounts for the premium of a CAC sticker, which is why our best price via Make Offer of $9,750 is incredibly fair. Just slightly above the price guide for a CAC’d example of this amazing, historic Clark Gruber.
Why we love it: A scarce, low mintage proof of less than 100 coins struck. Beautiful blue, red, and golden surfaces with astounding eye appeal. The mirrors are gorgeously reflective with high-end colors and stunning features. Tied with another example in the Hansen Collection as the finest piece with Cameo features at PCGS.
Value: The starting bid in this week’s auction for this gorgeously toned proof Seated Dime is set fairly at $11,500. We find the starting bid to be an excellent value for the potential bidder as the PCGS Price Guide has the coin valued at $15,000.
Why we love it: A popular Denver minted Barber Quarter issue in stunning registry quality gem condition. Beautiful rainbow highlights with stunning concentric circles on the obverse and reverse. The light silver-centered obverse accentuates the amazing colors that fall into the rims. Tied for the finest known at PCGS.
Value: The starting bid in this week’s auction for this rainbow toned Barber Quarter is set at $16,000. With the PCGS Price Guide at $18,500, we think our starting bid is an excellent value for bidders.
Why we love it: A low mintage Philadelphia Issue Double Eagle with just 51,420 coins struck. Especially desirable as Mint State examples are extremely elusive and expensive. Original AU example with remaining luster that glimmers under olive-gold surfaces. The eye appeal is exactly what the collector would want from a choice AU coin.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG value on this coin are extremely comparable at a respective $4,250 and $4,380. This closeness in estimates should bring potential bidders great assurance on the accuracy of those numbers. The best price via Make Offer is set at just $3,900.
Why we love it: The 1895-O is one of the most popular key dates in the Morgan series out of the illustrious New Orleans Mint. Delicate russet toning over satiny mint luster that glows on both the obverse and reverse. Sharply embossed reliefs enhance the already superb eye appeal. A must-have for the advanced registry collector.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG value on this coin are extremely comparable at a respective $50,000 and $50,800. This closeness in estimates should bring potential bidders great assurance on the accuracy of those numbers. The starting bid in this week’s auction is set reasonably at just $46,500.
Why we love it: The 1854-D is an incredible rarity and the only Dahlonega issue in the $3 gold series. From a miniscule mintage of just 1,120 coins in which few survive in high grade. Flashy light golden surfaces are well balanced with even wear with no individually significant abrasions. An exciting opportunity for the advanced collector of Southern gold.
Value: The starting bid in this week’s auction for this amazing three-dollar gold rarity is set at $34,000. We find the starting bid to be an excellent value for the potential bidder as the PCGS Price Guide has the coin valued at $37,500.
Why we love it: A better date San Francisco minted Morgan Dollar with the Bella pedigree that becomes a rarity in high gem grades. An absolutely blazing white gem with unbelievable luster and light golden rim tints. The eye appeal is simply superb. Just 16 coins are graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The most recent sale which came in an auction in June and the PCGS Price Guide both come in at $6,000 and both lack in recognition of CAC approval. The PCGS Price Guide skyrockets to $65,000 in MS67 making the best price via Make Offer of our example with CAC approval of $7,500 sensible.
Why we love it: Scarce P-mint Liberty Gold Eagle with a tiny mintage of just 10,630 coins struck. Beautifully preserved mint state example. Both sides are evenly worn with plenty of luster and semi-reflective fields especially flashy on the reverse. Just three examples are graded finer than this piece out of the D.L. Hansen Collection.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG value on this coin are extremely comparable at a respective $16,500 and $16,300. This closeness in estimates should bring potential bidders great assurance on the accuracy of those numbers. The starting bid in this week’s auction is set reasonably at just $15,150.
Why we love it: Scarce first year No Drapery issue with beautiful remaining mint frost and gorgeous rose and lavender toning cascading into golden centers. The plus grade and CAC approval confirm that this piece comes as close as possible to MS66 with its superb surface quality. Wonderfully original with only three pieces graded finer by PCGS.
Value: his exact coin sold this past March for $34,075 in auction. Along with that past sale, the PCGS Price Guide estimates the value to be $38,000. Even with those two figures stated and its CAC approval, we offer this example for less than both at just $32,000.
Why we love it: The wire-edge Ten is considered by many collectors to be one of the most desirable coins in the series. Only 500 coins were struck according to mint records and pleasing examples like this one are highly desirable. Bright, golden-orange surfaces with light marks of circulation, this is an interesting example for the date as most of these coins were preserved in higher grades, making this a unique opportunity to acquire a high-quality, but affordable example.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $25,500 in AU53 except our example is CAC approved and PCGS does not factor that premium into their estimates. Our CAC’d example is available for bidding in this week’s auction at the fair starting bid of just $26,000.
Why we love it: Rare New Orleans minted Double Eagle from a lower mintage of just 315,000 in which just a small fraction survives today. Exceptionally preserved and uncommonly smooth for the assigned grade with rich medium gold surfaces and glossy, well-struck devices. Just seven examples are graded finer by NGC.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide comes in at $47,500 with the CPG Value being listed more realistically at the lower amount of $42,400. The starting bid in this week’s auction for this scarce early Double Eagle is set reasonably at just $37,500.
Why we love it: A scarce cameo gem example of this fantastic, popular proof Morgan Dollar Issue. Just 792 coins struck in the proof format for this issue. Gorgeous blue and orange highlights with startlingly beautiful overall contrasts. Just six coins are graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The most recent comparable sale of this coin came in 2018 and brought $9,600 which is far more accurate than the PCGS Price Guide value of $11,500. Our example can be outright purchased for lower than both above figures at a best price of just $8,750 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: Highly underrated O-Mint Double Eagle issue. An important example as few survived the original mintage of 71,000 pieces. Light satiny surfaces with well-struck devices, this New Orleans Double Eagles is difficult to locate as such. Light remaining luster and fully original surfaces make this piece quite special.
Value: We estimate this coin to be worth $15,500, and the PCGS Price Guide has it valued at $15,000. However, this coin is a No Reserve lot, so the bidder truly decides the value. An excellent opportunity to acquire this early, scarce O-Mint Double Eagle at a great price.
Why we love it: The key to the Indian cent set and desired by nearly all collectors of U.S. coins. Its incredibly unique fluorescent toning consists of beautiful lavender, blue, and pink tints highlight the well-struck devices and overall gorgeous eye appeal. Just eight example of this key proof issue are graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $6,000. Via the Make Offer function on our website, this coin can be outright purchased for the low price of just $4,750. That is a solid discount of an entire $1,250 off the PCGS Price Guide.
Check out all of the available "Coins We Love" from past newsletters