Coins We Love: Early May Musings
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Some weeks are certainly more interesting than others at DLRC. This week doesn’t seem to be very remarkable, but it has seemed more “normal” - whatever that word means now. The auction activity continues to be strong, we continue to get packages in every day, and we’re doing our best to keep our heads above the water with everything going on. We’re talking to more and more coin dealers who seem to be coming out of different forms of isolation and while things had slowed down for many of these folks, I think that the overall desire is to figure out the new flow of business.
From the perspective of collectors, we’ve found that many folks are simply making some slight alterations to their collecting, selling a few coins here and there that they don’t need, but also increasing in activity in what they are adding to their collections. The offerings seem to be getting a bit slimmer across the board with many other dealers, but we’re on the hunt for new items every day and can certainly still use your coins. Whether you’re utilizing our auction and consignment system to get the best auction results in the quickest time or you’re just looking for a fast, aggressive check, we are happy to do whichever works best for you.
Most importantly we hope that you can stay safe during this time and we’ll look forward to working with you when the time is right for you and your collection!
Numismatically Yours,
John Brush
Why we love it: This beautiful gem is high-end for the grade with a plus grade from PCGS and approval by CAC. The satiny honey surfaces have rose undertones, making this piece enchanting to view in-hand. Sharply struck and lustrous, it comes from a population of three with only three graded finer.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide recommends $12,500, and we’re starting the auction at $12,000. Ending this Sunday, this is a must-see for gold lovers. We sold another example of this grade in late 2018 for $12,650 and with this piece being tied as the finest with a CAC seal of approval, we’re sure that the winning bidder will be pleased.
Why we love it: This piece is truly top notch for the grade. We don’t recall handling a better XF40 of this issue in all our years of selling. With hints of remaining luster underneath, the surfaces are a medium olive-gold, highlighting the devices. There’s plenty of detail left with rub only clear on the highest points. An XF40 this nice doesn’t come around very often – take advantage while it’s available!
Value: The NGC Price Guide suggests $12,700, the PCGS Price Guide is at $12,500, and the CPG recommends $11,900. This piece is phenomenally high-end for the grade, and we’re making it available for $13,500 via Make Offer. As the most common date of the series, this would make an outstanding addition to a type set.
Why we love it: This early half eagle is high-end for the grade and has eye appeal to spare. The frosty yellow-gold surfaces almost glow with no noteworthy marks. Sharply struck with only the smallest bit of rub, this beautiful piece is stunning for an AU.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $16,000, and the CPG is at $11,900. We’re making it available today for just $13,000 via Make Offer. We last sold an NGC AU58 in July of 2019 for $15,750. Almost $3,000 less, this one is a great deal and a perfect fit for any everyman set.
Why we love it: The first Franklin Half struck at the Denver Mint; this golden beauty has a population of 13 with none finer. Covered in blended tones of olive, gold, and russet, this gem is spectacular. It’s a fairly common date in most grades, but incredibly tough in this superb gem condition!
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $9,000, and the CPG is at $10,300. This coin is an opportunity to acquire an excellent coin for a bargain price with the bid starting at just $6,250, ending this Sunday. The last piece in this grade sold in 2018 for $8,400, and that example lacked the stunning toning that sets this beauty apart.
Why we love it: From the Pogue Collection, known for containing some of the most attractive pieces in numismatics, this Barber Quarter has phenomenal eye appeal. With smooth lustrous surfaces highlighted in blue and gold, this example is stunning. Tied with four others with just one graded higher, this one is among the best for the date.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $14,500, and the CPG is at $9,380. We’re making this one available for just $9,750 via Make Offer, well below the PCGS value. This is much lower than most of the recent auction records for comparable pieces and is a fantastic value for this pedigreed coin.
Why we love it: From an original mintage of under 6,000, this beauty is among the best 50 survivors. Flashy fields, lightly frosted devices, and bright yellow surfaces give it fantastic eye appeal. An excellent piece for the $3 gold collector, this one is sure to turn some heads.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $14,500, and the CPG is at $13,300. This one could be yours today for just $12,000 via Make Offer. Only two examples of this grade from PCGS have crossed the auction block in the past 20 years.
Why we love it: A common date that’s often found well-struck with high eye appeal, this piece would be a perfect fit for a type set. With vibrant luster and crisp details, this is a beautiful example of this classic U.S. coin. It’s approved by CAC and has a star grade for eye appeal, setting it at the top of the spectrum for the grade.
Value: The NGC Price Guide recommends $2,800, and the PCGS Price Guide is at $3,500 for an MS66+. The bidding is currently at $4,450, ending this Sunday. The last NGC example of an MS66+ grade realized $4,320 in January of 2020.
Why we love it: This key date Morgan is bright white with near prooflike fields on both sides. With no individually significant marks, this piece is a strong example of the grade. A key date, branch mint, and great eye appeal combine to create one heck of a coin.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $6,850, and the CPG is at $7,500. We’re offering this one for just $6,500 via Make Offer, below either guide. A nice mid-MS coin, this is a great budget option to fill that gap in your set without sacrificing eye appeal.
Why we love it: Hard to find in gem condition, this piece is an absolute stunner. Approved by CAC, the luminous fields show off amber, blue, and gold toning, all fully lustrous and well-struck. Satiny and nearing the top issues extant, this gem is not to be missed by any Barber lovers.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $8,500, and the CPG is at $8,750. We’re offering this one for just $7,250 via Make Offer. This coin realized $9,600 in an auction in September of 2017, making this a fantastic deal that won’t last long.
Why we love it: Tied with just four others for the finest known, this stunning Roosevelt Dime has radiant cartwheel luster and rim toning in amber and gold. Just the third year of issue for the series, this is an early example of a near flawless Rosie. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a piece that will certainly headline a top-quality Registry Set of this popular 20th Century issue.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $7,000. Part of the Registry Quality Roosevelt Dime Collection, we’re starting the auction at $5,750, ending this Sunday. The only auction record for an MS68 Full Bands example of this date realized $8,050 in 2009. Perfect for a registry set, you likely won’t see another one of these anytime soon!
Why we love it: The 1794 half is always popular as a first year of issue, and this example is a nicely original piece. An honest Fine coin with plenty of detail remaining in Liberty’s hair; the obverse is particularly nice with even surfaces and no distracting marks. Attractively toned, this piece of early Americana is an affordable example of the historic issue.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this coin at $8,000. We’re willing to go quite a bit lower and are offering this one for just $5,950 via Make Offer. In 2016, we sold a F12 example for $9,000, more than we’re asking for this higher-grade coin. Don’t let it slip away!
Why we love it: This AU Draped Bust Dime has tons of luster for the grade across the ivory-gold surfaces. Rub is minimal and the details are sharp, making this a strong example for the grade, as supported by the CAC approval. A great type coin, this lovely dime is sure to fit in nicely with just about any set.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $5,100, and the CPG is at $4,500. We’re offering it for just $4,950 via Make Offer. The last public auction of a PCGS-graded example in AU55 was back in 2010, so this is certainly not a common opportunity. Don’t miss out while it’s here!
Why we love it: Still in an original green holder, this dark chocolate beauty shows extraordinarily little wear and has strong, clear details. A fairly common date, this piece would make a good type coin or addition to any large cent set.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $275, and the CPG is at $455. We’re offering this one for $350 via Make Offer. With minimal wear, this coin is undeniably high-end for the grade, and the OGH is an added bonus.
Why we love it: With eight graded higher at NGC and none at PCGS, this sparkling proof is all but perfect. Clean, deeply reflective fields and devices make the surfaces appear almost liquid, exactly like one wants from a proof of this era. It doesn’t get more pristine than this.
Value: The NGC Price Guide suggests $275, and the PCGS Price Guide is at $250. We’ll let this one go for $200 via Make Offer, well below the guides. This is a fantastic opportunity to own a phenomenal modern beauty.
Why we love it: This nice XF Bust Half has plenty of detail for the grade. The reverse is particularly appealing with toning that highlights the devices. With no noticeable marks or abrasions, this piece is exceptionally clean for the grade and great for the specialist.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $350, and the CPG is at $358 without the variety attribution. We’re offering this one for just $275 via Make Offer. We sold another XF40 in January for $340, so this one is quite a bargain.