Coins We Love - July 19
This week’s CWL highlights some really neat pieces that are not typically seen at DLRC or elsewhere. The high end CAC’d Large Cent, beautiful SLQ, and the Proof $10 are all pieces that typically would be sole highlights for an auction, but are thrown together in this week’s sale which also features the second half of the Midsummer Silver Dollar Collection. Also included are several type coins, some really neat Registry Quality pieces and a plethora of other coins, and we particularly enjoyed writing about this week’s offerings!
At DLRC this week, we’ve gotten some national media attention due to an article about the 1804 $1 that was published by our local newspaper. Apparently it was picked up by the Associated Press and made its rounds across the nation. It’s been a rather interesting week with so many follow-ups from that story, but it’s been fun corresponding with non-numismatic folks across the globe regarding the special acquisition. You can read the article from the Virginian-Pilot here.
Otherwise, you’ll find us searching for deals in Minneapolis and at the PCGS Las Vegas show this coming week, so we want to hear from you if there’s anything of interest!
Sincerely,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it: This is absolutely one of the prettiest Standing Liberty Quarters we’ve ever handled here at DLRC. The eye appeal is simply captivating as its surfaces are mostly free of any blemishes, and it displays gorgeous, original rainbow toning. This incredible artistry features lovely highlights of green, magenta and gold with a light blue hue visible at around four to five o’clock on either side of the coin. There are only two examples of this early Standing Liberty Quarter graded finer by PCGS with the Full Head Designation.
Value: This is one of the most beautiful Standing Liberty Quarters we have ever come across with its pristine surfaces and incredible, one of a kind color, making it incomparable to any price guide. This CAC approved piece is available in this week’s auction with the reserve set at just $19,500, which is a reasonable price point to add this rainbow gem to a high-end registry set or collection of any kind.
Why we love it: Proof Gold pieces of any kind are rare and incredibly desirable, but what sets this example aside from most are its Deep Cameo surfaces. This near-gem’s mirrored fields contrast beautifully from its frosty devices creating stunning eye appeal. Much scarcer than the post 1900 issues, this coin is from an extremely low mintage of just 56 coins in which only five others are graded finer at PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $64,500 in 65 so this arguably under-graded CAC approved 64 is available to you in this week’s auction with the reserve set at just $41,000! As this coin looks like a true gem with these immaculate surfaces and near-perfect eye appeal along with its CAC approval, we find this to be an excellent value.
Why we love it: An attractive Mint State example of this rare and desirable first year small cent housed in an OGH Rattler Holder. There is an argument for many of these issues being actually struck as proofs, but in the early days of PCGS, these were determined to be circulation strikes. We’re not here to argue the strike, but we appreciate the collectability of these pieces in proof and mint state holders, especially when they are this nice! This example offers some pretty coloring and minimal blemishes for the grade. The obverse is smooth and even in all aspects with an intriguing reverse that features many different colored toned spots. This famous Flying Eagle Cent issue comes from an original mintage of just 634 coins struck.
Value: The CPG value for this coin is set at $20,300 with the PCGS Price Guide a bit higher at a $21,000. It is available in this week’s auction with the reserve set closer to yet still well below the CPG Value at $19,000. That is a reasonable price for this lovely Mint State example of this famous key date Flying Eagle Cent!
Why we love it: An early, scarce Half Cent type coin from the first year of issue that displays nice, original surfaces. This example is worn lightly and evenly across its surfaces with a smooth, pretty, dark brown coloring contrasted beautifully between the devices and fields. These pieces are paramount to any type set and are difficult to find in nicer condition.
Value: With the PCGS Price Guide valuing this coin at $13,250 and CPG at $13,900, this example is available at a reasonable price of just $10,750 via Make Offer. That is $2,500 below the PCGS Price Guide value and $3,150 under the CPG Value for this scarce, first year of issue type coin!
Why we love it: A lovely near-gem example of this incredibly scarce Large Cent struck in proof format. The eye appeal is beautiful as this coin displays immaculate proof surfaces with pretty brown tones and original red shining through. This rare Proof Large Cent comes from an extremely low mintage of just 20 coins struck in which there are only four others graded finer by PCGS.
Value: Proof large cents are rare in any grade and with only 20 pieces produced for this year, it’s a piece that is nearly impossible to find otherwise. With the last public auction record of a PCGS/CAC 64 at $15,275 just last year, we think that the PCGS Price Guide is a bit conservative at $14,500 and is nearly double the value in 65. It is available in this week’s auction with the reserve set reasonably at just $17,000! As this coin truly looks like a gem in its pristine surfaces and overall eye appeal along with its CAC approval and PCGS plus grade, we find this price point to be attractive and fair.
Why we love it: This is one of the prettiest examples of this scarce and popular San Francisco minted Morgan Dollar that we have ever seen. This gem displays stunning luster and mostly white surfaces with a subtle golden tint around the rim. Nearly perfect surfaces with only one noticeable mark near the lips of Liberty. This example is tied for the finest known as is, yet the prior owner of this coin still attempted to upgrade it several times as we agree that it belongs in a 67 holder.
Value: The CPG lists this coin at $78,600 with the PCGS Price Guide at $75,000 even. It is available for purchase via Make Offer for the incredibly low amount by comparison at just $39,750. That is an excessively generous discount off both price guides of over $35,000 each for this gorgeous, tied for the finest known example of this better date S-Mint Morgan Dollar!
Why we love it: A nice-looking, uncirculated example of this scarce, early quarter type coin that offers well-deserved CAC approval and belongs in an impressive type set. This coin displays attractive, original toning, subtle underlying luster and truly lovely eye appeal for the issue. This Draped Bust Quarter comes from a moderately low mintage of just 206,124 coins struck in which there are only 20 others in existence graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide sits at $15,500, but it is available for purchase at the reasonable price of just $14,750 via Make Offer! That is a solid discount of $750 off the PCGS Price Guide value for this lovely, nicely toned example of this great Draped Bust Quarter type coin even with CAC approval!
Why we love it: A beautiful gem example of this 20-Cent Piece type coin that is highly desired among all collectors of U.S. coinage. This coin features lovely peripheral toning with stunning rainbow-colored highlights. The toning around the rim is complemented nicely by the coin’s bright white centers and strong luster giving this piece premium eye appeal. There are only five other examples of this 20-Cent Piece issue graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $7,500, and the CPG Value is listed as $8,440. It is available for purchase reasonably at just $6,500 via Make an Offer. With only five other examples graded finer by PCGS, this coin is sure to find a new home quickly.
Why we love it: A stunning, immaculate ultra-gem example of this popular first year of issue Morgan from San Francisco. This registry-quality gem displays blast white, lustrous centers with a thin line of toning complete around the rim featuring blue-green and rose-gold highlights. There are only three examples of this First Year Morgan Dollar issue graded finer by both grading services combined.
Value: The CPG lists this piece at $10,600 with the PCGS Price Guide at $11,500 and it is available for purchase via Make Offer for just $8,500. An incredible value for this lustrous, pristine ultra-gem example of this popular first year S-Mint Morgan Dollar!
Why we love it: A scarce Dahlonega Mint Half Eagle in all grades that becomes especially rare when found in Mint State grade. This piece is incredibly lustrous and offers surprisingly nice eye appeal for its MS60 grade making it perfect for branch mint gold collectors. This rare D-Mint Half Eagle issue comes from a low mintage of just 62,710 coins struck in which there are only six others graded finer by NGC and just nine other uncirculated examples total in existence.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $13,500. It is available in this week’s auction with the reserve set fairly at just $11,500! That is a solid $2,000 discount off the PCGS Price Guide value for this scarce, lustrous Half Eagle from the famous Dahlonega Mint!
Why we love it: A scarcer, early San Francisco Mint Lincoln Cent in lovely gem condition with attractive brown tones and underlying red highlights. The incredible lack of blemishes and strong luster gives this gem nice eye appeal and even makes it seem under-graded.
Value: This slightly better date Lincoln Cent is valued by PCGS at $425 and is for sale via Make Offer for just $375 this week. With the most recent auction records just under $500 for a CAC-approved piece, this is quite an opportunity to acquire this gem for under $400.
Why we love it: A affordable example of this slightly better date Denver Mint issue Barber Half Dollar. This coin displays subtle signs of remaining luster along with a light skin of golden toning which gives this coin perfectly ideal eye appeal for its lower-end AU grade.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $375. It is available for purchase at just $325 via Make Offer! That is a fair $50 discount off the PCGS Price Guide value for this affordable example of this slightly better date Barber Half Dollar!
Until next time, thanks for stopping by and sharing some time with us to browse our Coins We Love.
Check out all of the available "Coins We Love" from past newsletters