Coins We Love: Collections Incoming! 🚀
This has been an active week so far at DLRC. After the typical auction ending, and the return from the show in Atlanta, the office was rather chaotic on Monday. Coins were flying, packages were coming and going and the overall mood of the office was just busy! We survived, got the next auction started up, and I gassed up the car before heading up to Williamsburg to buy a collection on Tuesday. I had a lovely meeting with a retired couple who had put together a gold type set over many years of military service and the time had come to sell. I spent an hour or two going over all of the coins in their kitchen while their impressively large golden retriever sat at my feet. After a productive conversation and a touch of numismatic research, I walked out of the house with a fantastic group of coins that will be coming to auction next week!
Fortunately, it’s not the only auction coming to fruition this month! This week, we started the Old Green Holder Collection, a nice group of coins housed in older PCGS Holders. We’re also starting a fantastic Registry Set collection of Washington Quarters next week, and  we’ll have the Colonial Gold Type Collection starting up the week after! And as if that wasn't enough, we’ll have a fantastic collection of Southern Gold Coins coming up just a week later, highlighted by a complete set of Dahlonega $5 Gold Half Eagles, and a number of other juicy branch mint gold coins from the Charlotte and Dahlonega mint. Fresh from Atlanta, it proves that we were active on the bourse, even among the army of vacuum cleaners that tried to divert our attention from the show! We’ll have highlights from both the Washington Quarter Set and the Colonial Gold Type Collection with us in Baltimore in a few weeks as well, so please stop by the booth to check out those fantastic opportunities.
We also stumbled upon a new feature that we’re unveiling at DLRC. It’s really nothing our longtime customers aren't used to, but for folks that are new to us or the hobby in general, you’ll be hearing a lot about the DLRC No Fee Guarantee! What is it? It’s simply stating that we’re the company that won’t be charging miscellaneous fees to nickel and dime you as the buyer or the consignor! No Buyer’s Fees, No Shipping Fee, No Listing Fees, and No Imaging Fees…if you can think of any other fees, let us know and we’ll assure you that we’re not charging it. The fact is, it’s unnecessary and misleading. So, there you have it. It’s the new and improved No Fee Zone. You can read a little bit more about it in yesterday's blog column "Just Ask John".
As for now, we’ll leave you with a few rare coins to enjoy, as well as a couple of our favorite “affordable” coins that were requested by some of our long-time customers. Keep in mind, if you don’t see something you like here, we have thousands of other coins available on our website that you can purchase via Make Offer. Finally, if you have any questions regarding DLRC, the coin industry, or the coin collecting hobby, email them to coingroup@davidlawrence.com and they might be featured in a future edition of “Just Ask John!”
Sincerely,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it:One of the most highly sought-after key dates of Morgan dollars, this issue has stunning mirrors that more than merit the Prooflike designation. There’s some very light gold toning on the reverse, but overall this is a very clean white example that will be at home in just about any high-end Morgan collection.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $50,000, while the CPG is at $48,400. We’re leaving plenty of room for bidding by starting this beauty at just $45,000.Don’t let this high-grade beauty slip by!
Why we love it:This gem is a beautiful example of the type with frosty luster covered by a rich lavender gray patina. Undertones of blue and gold, particularly around the date, makes this coin an immediate eye-catcher. Previously part of the Hansen Collection, this beauty has a population of five with only six graded finer, one of which – the sole MS68 example – has taken its seat in the Hansen Collection.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $7,500, and the CPG suggests $9,380. With the gorgeous toning and Hansen pedigree, this is undoubtedly high end for the grade, but we’re starting it at just $7,475 to let the market decide where it should fall. This is well below what any auctions in the past 10 years have realized.
Why we love it:This last year of issue piece is incredibly close to Gem in MS64+ with CAC approval. Hints of original red luster hide in protected areas, highlighting the devices. By 1857, half cents cost more to produce than they were worth, resulting in the lowest mintage of the Braided Hair Half Cents at 35,180. The denomination was permanently discontinued after 1857, lending this issue a historical significance.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $1,275. The CPG doesn’t list plus grades, but it suggests $845 in MS64BN and $1,810 in MS65BN. We’re making this one available for $950 via Make Offer. The last auction of a example in this grade was in 2015 which realized $999.
Why we love it:This nicely circulated Eagle is a very affordable example of an incredibly popular type. With one of the highest mintages of the series, the price tag doesn’t come from a low population or from the gold content, but rather from the popularity. A design always in demand, this F15 is a chance to own an example of a series you may not normally be able to afford. It has even wear and deeper orange tints highlighting the devices with plenty of detail left, making this an excellent type coin with good eye appeal.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $12,500, the NGC Price Guide is at $10,800, and the CPG recommends $10,300 for F12. We’re willing to sell this one for just $9,500 via Make Offer, well below any of the guides. You’re unlikely to find a more attractive piece with a comparable price tag anytime soon.
Why we love it:Deep blue-green, peach, and violet tones cover this near mint state piece. It has no significant contact marks or distracting blemishes and is beautifully well-preserved with a sharp strike underneath the gorgeous toning. This major variety was caused by a die flaw that just happened to be positioned at the end of the reverse legend, giving it the appearance of reading “AMERICAI.”
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $17,500, and the CPG is at $18,200. With only three graded higher, we believe this stunner is one of the finest surviving examples and are starting it at $18,385. We think you’ll agree that the thick toning truly makes this coin something special.
Why we love it:The immensely popular three-legged buffalo was created by over-polishing of a worn reverse die, resulting in the disappearance of one of the buffalo’s front legs. This nicely circulated example is a very affordable option to own a widely desired type. With even wear, it is precisely what you’d expect from a circulated buffalo nickel, making it a great fit for a circulated set.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $545, and the CPG is at $507. We’re offering this strong example for just $450 via Make Offer. This is a great opportunity to get a key to the buffalo nickel series without paying and arm and a leg.
Why we love it:One of the highest mintage half eagles from the Charlotte Mint, this is an affordable example of a nice, high-end AU piece. There’s an incredible amount of luster left on the lightly abraded surfaces, all in an even medium-gold. This issue is usually found with significant abrasions and a weak strike on the center of the obverse.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this coin at $4,900, and the CPG is at $4,120. We’ll sell it for just $3,650 via Make Offer, making this a great opportunity to claim a strong example of a Charlotte Mint Half Eagle at a bargain.
Why we love it:From a low mintage of only 875 pieces, this coin is an exciting find! With sharp contrast between the mirrored fields and frosted devices, this example shows virtually no bag or contact marks. Liberty’s cheek is clean, and the deeply reflective fields are smooth – what more could you ask for? Perhaps a pedigree? It’s got that too – previously part of the Pacific Rim Collection.
Value: The PCGS and NGC Price Guides both put it at $10,000, and the CPG suggests $9,380. We’re starting it off at only $7,650, leaving plenty of room for bidding. This stunner is sure to garner some interest from Morgan fans.
Why we love it:This early cent is nicely circulated with even wear and dark chocolate surfaces. Only the second year of the type, and the fifth year of federal US coinage, this piece circulated in the formative years of our country.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $1,150, and the CPG is at $1,250. We’ll let it go for just $1,150 via Make Offer, which is below the last auction record; a piece of the same grade sold in September of 2019 for $1,320.
Why we love it:This design was first seen on a British £5 coin issued in 1839. In 2019, the original dies were repaired to remove a blemish and used to strike 400 pieces to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the original coin and the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth. This is an affordable way to own an example of this beautiful design; an original 1839 issue recently sold for $690,000.
Value:Not included in any of the standard price guides, we’re offering this piece for $6,000 via Make Offer. None have sold from major auction houses, but the auction record is held by another MS70 which sold on eBay in early February of this year for $11,995.
Why we love it:This beautiful piece comes from the collection of Jack Lee, the famous silver dollar collector-turned-dealer. As expected, it’s a fantastic example – covered in delicate golden and russet toning, it has excellent eye appeal and is technically strong for the grade. With only five graded higher, it doesn’t get much better than this. Truly an example of toning that highlights the design.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $4,650, and the CPG is at $4,690. Neither of those factor in the fantastic toning or pedigree, but we’re still willing to let it go for less – we’ll sell it for just $4,250 via Make Offer. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to own this beautiful piece of numismatic history.
Why we love it:This popular early date half eagle would make an excellent type coin for an everyman registry set. One of the more common dates in the series, this example isn’t a prohibitively high grade, but maintains very strong eye appeal. With bright, even surfaces and no distracting marks, this XF beauty is just waiting to join a type set.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $8,000, and the CPG is at $8,440. We’re starting it at just $7,500. We last sold this same coin in February of 2019 for $8,400, so there’s clearly plenty of wiggle room for bidders.
Why we love it:This key Carson City Mint Morgan has a satiny luster with pale gold toning. The fields are clear for the grade, without many noteworthy marks. This major variety was created by rust on the die surrounding the CC mint mark, and it’s a type in high demand among collectors.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $5,250, and the CPG suggests $5,380. We’re willing to let it go for only $4,500 via Make Offer, which is just barely above the wholesale Greysheet bid at $4,300. You’re unlikely to find another example this cheap, so act fast before someone else snaps it up.
Why we love it:Any error collectors out there? Here’s one for you – a nickel struck on a cent planchet. It’s a lovely rose red, with the date legible. How these off-metal strikes escape the Mint may be a conundrum, but it gives you the opportunity to own fantastic mistakes like this. How often do you find a nickel with a red-brown designation?
Value:Price guides don’t exactly include this type of error, but we think it’s pretty impressive. We’ll sell it for just $400 via Make Offer, so don’t miss out on this happy accident.
Why we love it:Here’s a chance to get a full proof set in one fell swoop, all in Proof 65 or higher, topping off at a Proof 68 quarter. Each coin is bright, flashy, and dripping in luster. The half dollar is the lowest grade at Proof 65, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find fault in its clear liquid surfaces.
Value:Combining the PCGS Price Guide values for each piece, you get a value of $836. We’ll give you quite a discount on that - we’re making these gems available for just $550 via Make Offer, right at 2/3 of the book value. The quarter alone has a PCGS Price Guide value of $400, so there’s no doubt you’re getting a fantastic deal by buying the group.
Why we love it:This is a piece that was never meant to exist. Only proof Eagles and Half Eagles were supposed to bear the W mint mark, but at least one pair of unfinished proof dies was used to strike mint state examples. There was very strong demand for gold in 1999, and it’s possibly that the Mint was simply desperate to meet demand. Regardless, it’s not certain how many were struck, though estimates are around 6,000, making this undoubtedly a key date in the modern Half Eagle series.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $850, and the CPG is at $800. We’re giving you the opportunity to own this modern rarity for only $675 via Make Offer, well below any book value. There’s plenty of opportunity for this accidental key to increase in value over time, so don’t miss out!