Coins We Love: Numismatic Miscellanea!
It certainly doesn’t feel like February in Virginia Beach. It’s been around 60 degrees for the last week with some warm rain showers sprinkled in. Thankfully we’ve avoided the white, puffy stuff so far this winter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we receive a blizzard (for us anything over an inch) in March. That being said, we certainly can’t complain about our coastal city in southeastern Virginia.
This week has brought about a lot of small surprises in our office. We’ve made some imaging adjustments and are experimenting with a few new camera set-ups; we’ve received about 20 packages in a few days with everything ranging from mint and proof sets to an exciting Washington Quarter and Franklin Half Set. All in all, it’s been a veritable numismatic smorgasbord. We’ve also moved out some unexciting clutter from our vaults and are trying to stay ahead for the upcoming busy show schedule of February/March. Hopefully the warm trend continues, and we have uneventful winter travel this year.
Unfortunately, the busy week in the DLRC Office has precluded another thought-provoking message for the week, but we’re not forgetting our promise to chime in on some more in-depth comments in the world of coins. We hope that you enjoy a few offerings from our Sunday auction and vault, and if you have any questions regarding the auction items or our vast buy-it-now inventory, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us. We’ll be more than happy to help!
Sincerely,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it: Who could say no to a top pop proof from the Civil War? This 1863 half dollar has a population of four with none higher. Serving as the plate coin on PCGS CoinFacts, peach tones dominate the reflective surfaces for stunning eye appeal. Out of a mintage of just 460 pieces, this is undoubtedly one of the most attractive surviving examples.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts it at $8,000 while the CPG comes in at $10,000. We’ve split the difference with a starting bid of $9,000. With CAC approval and vivid toning, this piece is definitively high-end for the grade.
Why we love it: This intriguing mint mark variety was created when the reverse die intended for the Carson City Mint changed course and wound up at San Francisco. There are a number of similar mint mark varieties across different series, but this is the only such variety recognized for trade dollars. As a result, this is an issue consistently in demand. This particular example is dripping with luster and golden toning around the rims.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $15,500 and the CPG suggests $16,900. We’ve opted to go lower than both for the CWL special and have this coin available via Make Offer for just $14,250.
Why we love it: How often do you see a coin graded PR45?! This fully original issue still shows plenty of detail on all devices, with orange toning and a splash of navy on the reverse. This historic and popular pattern comes from an original mintage of only 1,000 pieces, of which about half are thought to have survived.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this coin at $15,500. This particular example sold in 2018 for $17,625, and we’re offering it at just $16,250 via Make Offer. This is well in line with recent auction records, which average $16,268.75 from 2018 to date.
Why we love it: Talk about eye appeal! This smooth milk chocolate large cent has beautifully clear devices, highlighted by the light wear it received from circulation. The details are crisp and clear, making this a superb AU example of this first year type.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $12,500, while the CPG comes in at $10,600 in AU50. We’re offering this gorgeous example as low as $8,250 via Make Offer, so act quickly and snap this one up!
Why we love it: We absolutely adore this gorgeous 1938 proof quarter! With a population of nine with none finer, it would be a fantastic addition to a registry set. With golden orange tints surrounding the rim, this coin is a stunner for more than the grade.
Value: With a higher mintage than the 1937, the PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $9,000 and the CPG suggests $7,810. We’re offering it at a starting bid of only $6,750, making this a fantastic opportunity to add a top-notch example to your set, possibly at quite a bargain.
Why we love it: This AU55 is high end for the grade with no distracting marks and even color. These have become surprisingly difficult to find in the past few months, making this a rare opportunity in the current market.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this coin at $10,500 while the CPG suggests $13,600. We’re offering it at just $12,075 via Make Offer, which is certainly a bargain considering the recent lack of available pieces with the coveted CAC seal of approval.
Why we love it: If Proof Buffalo Nickels are more your speed, look no further! The gorgeous peach-toned example comes from a mintage of only 1,050 pieces, the second lowest mintage for the series. Only 10 are graded higher at NGC, with a handful at PCGS. Prices escalate quickly from PR67, so don’t miss a chance to get a gorgeous affordable example of this key date proof.
Value: The NGC Price Guide puts this piece at $5,750, while PCGS suggests $4,750 and the CPG is at $5,000. We’re willing to undercut them all and will let this beauty go for just $3,600 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: One of the earlier commemoratives, the Panama-Pacific half dollar was issued in conjunction with the opening of the Panama Canal as part of a set with multiple denominations. The half was sold as part of full sets and individually, with a total sale of 27,134 pieces. More were originally minted but were all melted down when they weren’t sold. This example is bright white, which is unusual for the issue, and only one grade below the top pop.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this coin at $7,500, while the CPG is much lower at $4,750. We’ve even undercut the CPG value with a starting bid of only $4,500, making this a fantastic opportunity to score a lustrous gem at a low price.
Why we love it: The AU58 grade may not be particularly exciting, but the DMPL classification is what sets this piece apart. The 1896-O was a poorly struck issue with few found in PL, much less DMPL. The mirrors are fully reflective with frosted devices, making this a coin with high eye appeal for the grade.
Value: With less than 20 examples of the date with DMPL surfaces, we expect this coin to garner a good bit of attention! Only the NGC Price Guide has a value listed for the grade in DMPL at $7,000. The starting bid is $6,250, with plenty of room for bidding. This is likely the least expensive option you’ll find for a DMPL example of the date, so don’t miss out on the opportunity!
Why we love it: Only five examples are graded finer than this satiny gem by PCGS. It is well struck with strong luster and CAC approved for quality, with the bonus of the Hansen pedigree. This conditional rarity would make an excellent addition to a registry set. The Hansen Collection incredibly includes another example of this date and grade.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts it at $7,500 and the CPG suggests $7,880. If you use Make Offer, we’re willing to let this one go for $7250. At the high end of MS66, that’s a steal for this gorgeous piece.
Why we love it: This original XF issue is quite historically significant in that it was the first double eagle struck at a branch mint. A date known for low eye appeal; this example is fairly attractive for the grade with bright fields. It shows the amount of wear and marks expected from XF45 and is stickered by CAC.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $11,000 while the CPG suggests $8,750. We believe this is a strong coin for the grade with above-average eye appeal and are offering it at just $9,000 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: This stunning issue was struck in Paris for use in the West Indies. It has original glossy surfaces with hints of red. With a population of two with only two finer, this piece is exceptionally difficult to find in this condition. With strong eye appeal, this is a must-see for any French collector.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide suggests $4,400. We’re willing to undercut that quite a bit and let this beauty go for only $3,400 via Make Offer, which is also below all recent auctions. This coin in particular sold in 2013 and realized $4,406.
Why we love it: This satiny Civil War coin comes from the Brother Jonathan, a paddle steamer that sunk in 1865. The wreckage was found, and the surviving contents recovered starting in 1996, including 875 pieces of gold. This one is incredibly well-preserved considering its 125 year visit to the bottom of the ocean and only 8 pieces are graded finer at both grading services combined!
Value: The NGC Price Guide puts this issue at $23,000, while the PCGS Price Guide comes in at $21,500 and the CPG at $23,000. It’s in fantastic condition for the date even without the Brother Jonathan pedigree, which adds to the value. With a starting bid of only $19,500, this example is beginning at a bargain level!
Why we love it: This is a chance to get a tough date at an affordable price. With a survival estimate of only 200, the 1799/8 is one of the key dates of the series and high grades quickly become prohibitively expensive. This well-circulated piece gives you the opportunity to fill the gap in your set without breaking the bank. The color is even and the wear is consistent, with the silhouette of Liberty still clearly visible.
Value: Yhe PCGS Price Guide puts this coin at $4,500. Offered with a starting bid in this Sunday’s auction for just $4,650, we love the value on this popular, collectible piece and think that it will be a great addition to an interesting collection!
Why we love it: This registry quality issue has a population of only five at PCGS with none finer. Subtle toning highlights reflective fields, only further enhancing this top pop beauty. It’s the plate coin on PCGS CoinFacts, so you know it’s one of the best of those five Proof 68s!
Value: The PCGS Price Guide is at $8,500 and the CPG suggests $9,380. Our starting bid is just $8,250, right on par with PCGS and with plenty of room for bidding. Don’t miss out on a chance to own this fantastic registry piece that cannot be improved upon!
Why we love it: This lustrous beauty would make an excellent addition to a type collection. The surfaces are utterly original, with deep toning around the edges that fades into a golden center. Well-struck with no distracting marks, its appeal is only increased by the fact that it’s the first year for the small size quarter. The small letter variety is more common in high grades than its large letter brother, making this a very affordable option for a type set.
Value: The CPG comes in at $7,190 with the PCGS Price Guide more conservatively at $5,750, which is below all of the recent auction records! By starting the auction bid at just $5,000, well below either price guide, we expect the coin to generate a lot of attention! We sold a different example of the same type and grade in 2017 for $6,755 and think that this is a much better price level for such an attractive coin.
Why we love it: With only one other graded MS62 and none finer, this is a phenomenal colonial piece. It shows an early die state and has an unusually thick planchet for the issue. It’s evenly toned with a strong, well-centered strike, making it a superb example of early American tokens.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide puts this issue at $4,500, and this specific coin sold in 2013 for $4,113. We’re offering it at just $3,750 via Make Offer. With only five total examples of the thick engrailed edge type graded by PCGS, this is a rare opportunity to own a piece of history.
Why we love it: With a pedigree in two legendary silver dollar collections, this gorgeous example has a population of 11 with none finer. Finding a DMPL issue for this date is rare, much more so in such a high grade. It has few marks and is well-struck for the date. A great piece for any registry set!
Value: The PCGS Price Guide estimates $12,500, while the CPG suggests $10,000. If you use Make Offer, we’re willing to let this one go for as little as $8,925, less than any auction for a PCGS-graded coin since 2006.
Why we love it: This satiny key date buffalo nickel displays subtle hints of orange with smooth, attractive surfaces. This date is the third rarest in Gem condition behind the 1920 S and 1926-S. Assigned a plus by PCGS and approved by CAC, this piece is as high-end as it gets before jumping to a 65.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has a value of $6,500. It could be yours today for just $5,850 via Make Offer, which is on par with recent auction results. The last two auctions of PCGS graded pieces realized $6,000 in 2019 and $5,750 in 2018.
Check out all of the available "Coins We Love" from past newsletters