Coins We Love - July 4
Happy Fourth of July to our CWL readers! Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, ceremonies and U.S. Coins! Well, maybe we threw that last one in, but there are certainly many historical depictions, commemorations and designs throughout our U.S. Coin & Currency that help us celebrate our great nation. We hope you and your family have a great and safe time this 4th of July as we will be doing the same here in Virginia Beach.
Sincerely,
Jason Smith and Your Friends at David Lawrence
Why we love it: This piece is tied for the finest example of this date with several others at NGC. An ultra-high-end superb gem with lovely toning and immaculate surfaces, dripping with satiny luster. The color on this coin is incredibly attractive and unique as it displays gorgeous pastel rainbow tones. Overall, it is simply an amazing example that is perfect for the advanced Registry Set Collector.
Value: The CPG Value sits at $5,620 and the PCGS Price Guide comes in at $5,500; however, it is available in this week’s auction with reserve set at just $3,675. That is a solid discount of nearly a couple thousand off each price guide for this pristine NGC-graded toner.
Why we love it: The 1893 is a fantastic scarcer date in the series that is completely overlooked as its mintmarked counterparts steal the limelight. This much better Morgan’s immaculate gem surfaces add to the scarcity and eye appeal of this coin tremendously. The coin also comes with brilliant, frosty luster and simply no detracting marks. Registry quality in every sense as it is also tied for the finest known graded at PCGS along with five others.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are extremely comparable with respective estimates of $50,000 and $53,200, but it is available in this week’s auction with reserve set at just $45,000. That gives both the advanced registry set collector and advanced Morgan Dollar enthusiast an incredible starting point to acquire this scarce finest known gem.
Why we love it: A popular and scarce Draped Bust Half Eagle that comes from a mintage of just 9,676 coins. This stunning, eye-appealing example displays excessive amounts of remaining luster, pretty yellow fields with light orange highlights and no obvious signs of wear. This lovely high-end AU could easily pass for a low Mint State grade.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide comes in with a value of $18,500, but it is available in this week’s auction with reserve set at just $14,000. That is a generous discount of over $4,000 off the price guide for this lovely, lustrous slider example of this scarce early Half Eagle.
Why we love it: This date is known for being slightly better when it comes to P-Mint Indian Gold Eagles in gem grades, though gets overshadowed by its Denver minted counterpart. A gorgeously satiny gem with copious amounts of luster, this coin would rival the technical aspects and eye appeal of any gem example of this series on the market.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has an outrageous, bloated estimate for this coin of $7,500, however the CPG is much closer to earth with a value of $5,940. Even beating the CPG Value, we proudly have our reserve set at an even $5,000 leaving much room for bidders to acquire is pretty gem at a great value.
Why we love it: Popular and underrated Hawaii Issue as the 10-cents are a difficult denomination to locate with a mintage of just 250,000 coins. The CAC approved gem example displays pristine, lustrous surfaces that boast gorgeous, original toning on both sides. Perfect eye appeal as this coin offers blue-green and rose-gold highlights. There are only four others known finer.
Value: Most recent auction record shows an $8,100 sale in 2018 even with the PCGS Price Guide valuing it at $6,750. Even with the premium of a CAC, we are offering a reserve amount below both above figures on this gorgeous Hawaiian piece of just $6,000.
Why we love it: Scarce Matte Proof Lincoln Cent from a low mintage of just 4,118 pieces originally struck in this format. A true gem proof that catches the eye with fantastic luster and gorgeous rose overlays on a brilliant orange surface. There are just six coins graded finer at PCGS.
Value: Most recent auction record shows a $9,106.25 sale in March with the PCGS Price Guide coming in at a high $11,000. Even with the premium of a CAC Sticker, we are offering a best price below both above figures on this gem Matte Proof Lincoln Cent of just $8,750 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: One of our favorite design types, though short-lived, this nearly perfect ultra-gem example of this popular and desirable Type 1 S-Mint Buffalo Nickel type coin. A stunning piece with golden yellow surfaces and nearly proof-like fields. This coin displays well-struck, pristine surfaces that are covered in luster. There are just two examples graded MS68 at NGC and none finer making this plus graded 67 that much more desirable.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $7,500 in MS67 and $35,000 in MS68. Considering the NGC holder and the plus grade attribute on it we find our best price of $7,350 via Make Offer to be an unbelievably great value.
Why we love it: A tough S-mint to locate with full bands but this 1925-S Mercury Dime is equaled by no other examples. A truly amazing piece with light rose and golden tints surrounding lustrous, golden centers. Impeccable in quality with no noticeable marks, this piece is destined for the finest collection of Mercury Dimes.
Value: This coin, being the finest known example for the issue on top of being plus graded and so beautifully toned, defines the phrase “one of a kind” and is incomparable to any price guide. In fact, PCGS does not currently record a value on the item. However, our Make Offer price of $25,000 for this finest known full bands gem rarity, which we feel creates an excellent value.
Why we love it: The 1796 quarter is a famous rarity as it is the first year of issue of the quarter denomination by the U.S. Mint and a one-year type coin design. A choice Fine issue with smooth surfaces and nice detail, this CAC-stickered piece is ideal for the advanced collector or investor who appreciates a coin of the highest quality.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide rests at $6,000 and with auction prices typically resting just below that, this coin is available via Make Offer for just $5,500. One of the most affordable yet still original examples of this rarity you will find as this issue is hard to find for anything less than five figures.
Why we love it: In this lovely, original near-gem condition with a CAC sticker, this is truly the ideal type coin for the Capped Bust Quarter Series. This piece has it all including satiny luster and perfectly original surfaces with light pastel pink tints and gorgeous lime and teal blue reverse tones. These characteristics give the coin nice eye appeal that should help it find a home in an exciting type set quickly.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $6,250 in MS64 and $27,500 in MS65. Considering the CAC sticker and the plus grade attribute on it we find our Make Offer price of $9,875 to be a reasonable value as this coin truly has the look a full gem worth 3-4 times as much.
Why we love it: The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter is a low mintage key date which is greatly desired and admired by collectors, as its popularity and scarcity both transcend the series and American Numismatics as a whole. This coin is sought-after greatly by collectors of Standing Liberty Quarters and Key Dates and truly, all serious enthusiasts of U.S. Coinage. This choice uncirculated example of this famous issue has lustrous, mostly white satiny surfaces and is even more desirable as it has a Full Head.
Value: The CPG Value sits at $18,500 and the PCGS Price Guide comes in at $17,500, but it is available for outright purchase through our Make Offer function at just $17,000 even. That is a solid discount of $1,500 and $500 off each price guide respectively for this incredible key date.
Why we love it: A gorgeous registry-quality gem example of this popular S-Mint Issue Barber Half Dollar. Tied with three other examples as the finest known from a mintage of 992,000, this pristine CAC-approved gem is overly appealing for the eyes. This stunner is completely pristine and could easily pass for a 67. The blast white surfaces and blazing luster shining is just mesmerizing.
Value: Most recent auction record shows a $22,325 sale in 2015 with the PCGS Price Guide coming in comparably at $22,500. Even with the premium of a CAC Sticker, we are offering this coin below both above figures on this finest known gem Barber Half Dollar at just $20,000 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: The ultimate type coin Walker as it does not get any more pristine and gorgeous than this. A truly amazing ultra-gem with beautifully natural surfaces and a light pink-orange tint making the eye appeal nothing short of perfect. PCGS has plus graded just one of these and aside from that, there are none finer than this CAC approved stunner.
Value: Most recent auction record shows a $7,343.75 sale in 2015 with the PCGS Price Guide coming in just below at $7,000. Even with the premium of a CAC Sticker we are offering a best price below both above figures on this perfect gem Walker of just $6,675 through our Make Offer function.
Why we love it: The 1895 Morgan Dollar is famously known as a proof-only rarity and more specifically as the set-stopper to the entire series. Because there were no business strikes produced and the mintage was limited to 880 coins, this coin is found desirable by any advanced numismatic enthusiast and of course, especially by collectors of the series. This stunning light gray example exhibits clear beautiful fields with far fewer blemishes than what would be expected from this grade.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide value sits at $62,500 with the CPG at $58,100 and is available for thousands less via Make Offer for just $53,000. That is a fair value as that price is under both guides even though there is no price guide that can rightfully depict the prestige that the 1895 Morgan beholds.
Why we love it: An extremely rare date from the Charlotte mint. Unfortunately, this piece has experienced a little bit more attention than most due to its light cleaning on both sides. A few marks above the eagle on the reverse are noted for accuracy as well. This is one of the later die state examples notable due to the die crack through AMERI on the reverse, possibly making it one of the 887 examples struck in Charlotte while the mint was in Confederate control.
Value: Considering the cleaning, the estimates of $25,000 and $18,200 from PCGS and CPG in AU58 can be ignored. View this piece as an affordable method of acquiring such a historical rarity for your collection. This AU58 details coin can be yours for the VF-XF price of just $11,000 via Make Offer.
Check out all of the available "Coins We Love" from past newsletters