Coins We Love - May 23
It’s Memorial Day Weekend and the beaches are beginning to get busy in our neck of the woods of Virginia Beach. The weekend officially kicks off summer, but the rather mild weather has been quite a surprise as over the past few days. In the coin business, our schedule for the summer shows has been edited quite dramatically. The Whitman Baltimore Summer Show occurred before school was out this week, and we were not able to attend the event due to the timing. However, we did travel up there for a day and a half of buying, and we’ve returned with quite a few small deals today that you’ll see pop up in the coming auctions.
As far as events in Baltimore, it was a rather unexciting event as many dealers chose to stay home for the weekend and even the auction offerings were a bit more limited. However, our inventory will remain fresh as we’ve been able to add our typical number of offerings from our active office at DLRC. Of course, if there’s anything that you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to let us know, and we’d be happy to check our purchases or add the items to your Wantlist on the website. All that being said, we’re still here and promise to deliver to our favorite numismatic customers in the coming weeks. We’ll be closing our office tomorrow at 1pm to allow for everyone to spend a little extra time over the weekend, but we’ll be back in full force on Monday.
Numismatically Yours,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it: A scarce issue Liberty Half Eagle struck at the popular Charlotte Mint from a low mintage of just 65,571 coins. This extremely lustrous and nearly proof-like example possesses strong, frosty luster along with bright yellow-golden coloring along with light, reflective mirrors in the fields.
Value: The CPG Value comes in at $7,710 which is in-line with the recent sales in the mid $6000 range. The PCGS Price Guide Value comes in a bit higher at $8500. This frosty, reflective example of this scarce Charlotte Mint Half Eagle is available in this week’s auction with a reserve that has already been met and is likely to garner even further attention at its current level.
Why we love it: Proof Morgans have long been a popular item for collectors due to their size and propensity to be either gorgeously white or beautifully toned. However, the mintages are incredibly low compared to their circulation strike versions. This gorgeous proof Morgan Dollar comes from a tiny mintage of just 777 pieces struck. Mostly white surfaces with pristine mirrors and no notable blemishes make for fantastic eye appeal and overall quality so high that this CAC approved gem would certainly be considered high-end for the grade!
Value: The CPG and PCGS Price Guide values this proof Morgan at $5,500; however, PCGS does not factor in any premium for a CAC Sticker into their estimates. There is a $2,500 price jump to MS66 that cannot be ignored. With similar items selling in the range, we are glad to offer a reserve of that same $5,500 in this week’s auction even with the CAC approval.
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. Coming from an original mintage of just 35,334 coins struck, 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 $13,000 and CPG at $13,900, this example is available at a reasonable reserve of just $12,500 in this week’s auction. That is below both price guides even with its CAC approval and therefore unsurprisingly already met its reserve. We had another CAC approved VF20 example of this rare issue fetch $13,750 in 2016.
Why we love it: The High Relief Saint Gaudens is one of the most popular and beautiful designs across all of U.S. Numismatics. This scarce issue comes from a low mintage of only 11,250 coins struck. This near-gem example possesses the eye appeal and overall surface condition of a true, complete gem as it is pristine with no detracting blemishes.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are quite comparable on America’s Most Beautiful Coin at this grade with respective estimates of $27,500 and $26,600. This lovely near gem is available in this week’s auction with the reserve set thousands below both price guides at just $21,500, creating an incredible price tag for the grade.
Why we love it: The 1934-S Peace Dollar is the ultimate key date from San Francisco for its series and is the rarest from any mint in Mint State grades such as this CAC approved example. This bright white, silky near gem is as well-struck and pristine as any MS65 we have seen. Quite close to gem, this lustrous stunner provides gorgeous, captivating eye appeal.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide at $6,500 and the CPG Value being the exact same should bring much assurance and confidence to bidders. Our lustrous, near-gem example is available in this week’s auction with a reserve set quite low at $6,000 considering the CAC approval and the premium that brings.
Why we love it: The $50 Humbert, commonly referred to as the Gold Slug, is a scarce, popular and unique issue desired highly across numismatics. These were a reliable currency used in the period of the California Gold Rush, before the United States could produce enough coinage for everyday use. This piece is a nice example of the choice VF grade with light, even wear and attractive overall surfaces.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide Value for this famous territorial issue in its conservative VF30 grade is set at $32,000. We are undercutting that estimate by $500 to create what we feel is a fantastic potential value at the low reserve of just $31,500 for this historically important Gold Slug.
Why we love it: A nearly perfect ultra-gem full bands example of this popular Mercury Dime issue. The surfaces are as pristine and beautiful as they can be, between having basically no visible marks, perfect luster and flashy white eye appeal. Only beaten out by three pieces with plus grades at PCGS, this coin is certainly of quite prestigious registry quality.
Value: The most recent sale of this exact date and grade combination in PCGS Holder without a CAC sticker brought $4,800 in auction this past November. In our opinion, this example has far nicer eye appeal. The CPG comes in at $6,250 while the PCGS Price Guide has it valued a bit higher at $6,500, yet this example is available at just $4,850 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: A scarce, early Liberty Quarter Eagle struck at the popular Dahlonega Mint from a mintage of just 19,303 coins. This wholesome AU piece displays faint remaining luster and pretty bright yellow-gold coloring. The minimal light, even wear makes this coin true to its grade.
Value: The CPG comes in at $3,620 while the PCGS Price Guide has it valued more on par with recent trends at $3,100, yet this example is offered at just $3,050 via Make Offer. A fair price for a desirable Quarter Eagle from the ever popular and intriguing Dahlonega Mint.
Why we love it: A rare, early issue Liberty Gold Eagle from the New Orleans Mint. Few uncirculated pieces survived of this date, making this choice AU slider an elusive item. This CAC approved beauty possesses frosty remaining luster along with yellow-gold coloring and simply complete originality. Those characteristics combined with the lack of any real signs of wear make for nice eye appeal for the grade. From a lower mintage of just 571,500 coins struck.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are a little off with PCGS being too generous as their respective estimate are $4,650 and $4,060. The most recent sale of this same date and CAC approved grade brought a strong $4,935 in auction. Though that was a PCGS coin, we are proudly offering a best price for our NGC graded piece at just $3,450 via Make Offer. Undoubtedly an excellent value!
Why we love it: A beautiful, strong cameo near-gem proof example of the popular Twenty Cent denomination. The surfaces are pristine, and the eye appeal is pleasant as the light rose-gold color provides some nice character. From an extremely low original mintage of just 1,260 coins struck, there are only 24 others graded finer by PCGS with the Cameo designation.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this desirable, low mintage proof Twenty Cent piece valued at $5,250 with these strongly contrasted cameo surfaces. This coin is available for purchase via Make Offer for only $4,750. This is a reasonable price at a fair $500 discount off the price guide.
Why we love it: The 1909-S VDB is a famous, rare issue that is highly desired by all collectors of U.S. coinage. This example displays pristine gem surfaces that are covered in strong luster with a gorgeous, original red shine across the coin making for fantastic, ideal eye appeal. This Key Date Lincoln Cent comes with the reputation of being one of the most desirable and collectible coins in all of Numismatics and is from a moderately low mintage for the series of just 484,000.
Value: The most recent sale of this exact date and grade combination in PCGS Holder without a CAC sticker brought $4,338 just last month. The CPG comes in at $5,380 while the PCGS Price Guide has it valued more on par with recent trends at $4,500, yet this example is offered at just $4,250 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: A scarce No Arrows Issue Seated Quarter from a low mintage of 44,200 with a survival estimate in the hundreds. This choice XF example is quite wholesome and true to the grade as it just misses AU territory since the wear is there but is even and certainly not too detracting to the overall eye appeal. Its originality and deep tones are pleasing to the eye.
Value: The CPG has this rare Liberty Seated Quarter valued at $5,310. This coin is available for purchase via Make Offer for just $4,600. At over $700 below the CPG Value, this tough No Arrows issue is presented at an extremely reasonable value.
Why we love it: The 1927-S is a popular and desirable semi-key date Buffalo Nickel from the San Francisco Mint that is notably scarce in gem condition. This lovely gem features subtle rainbow toned highlights on both sides with a golden tinted hue that practically encases the coin. Along with its flashy underlying luster, the eye appeal is extremely pleasing. It is of true registry quality as well considering just six pieces have been graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are quite comparable with their respective estimates of $12,500 and $11,900. The most recent sale of this same date and grade brought $10,200 in auction. This beautiful, toned scarcer date Buffalo Nickel is available for purchase at the reasonable amount of just $10,000 via Make Offer. A great possible addition to an impressive registry set!
Why we love it: A scarce yet relatively more affordable date Liberty Double Eagle from the popular Carson City Mint. This example is unique with its strong luster and nearly complete lack of wear for its middle of the road AU grade making the CAC sticker expected and the eye appeal about average for the grade. This CC-Mint Double Eagle comes from a low mintage of just 115,085 coins originally struck.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $9,500 with the CPG Value just above at $10,000 even. The most recent comparable sale of the same date and CAC approved grade brought $8,700 in auction this past October. Considering these numbers, we feel our best price of $8,750 through our Make Offer function is incredibly reasonable.
Why we love it: The High Relief Saint Gaudens is widely regarded as America’s Most Beautiful Coin. This scarce issue comes from a low mintage of only 11,250 coins struck. This choice uncirculated example possesses the eye appeal and overall surface condition of an MS64 as it is absolutely pristine with no detracting blemishes. That along with its well-deserved CAC approval and old holder give it a fair argument for being simply under-graded.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $23,500 in MS63 but this example is so far advanced from the average 63 that it cannot be fairly compared to this evaluation. Between the sticker, holder and coin itself, if you are in the market for a High Relief Saint at this grade and price level, then this is the perfect coin. Available via Make Offer for $22,500, we find that to be an excellent value.
Why we love it: One of the most affordable methods of acquiring this otherwise scarce Half Cent issue. This piece is completely original with no cleaning or damage, making it a perfect addition to any Large Cent collection on a budget. All around an intriguing piece as this Newcomb Variety is so tough to locate and interestingly reaches the tens of thousands in value in Mint State.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this much better date Large Cent valued at $325 in its affordable VG08 grade. This coin is available for purchase via Make Offer for only $270. This is a reasonable price at a solid $50 discount off the price guide.
Why we love it: A tougher red gem proof Indian Cent to find from a mintage as small as just 3,200 pieces struck. This example has flashy, bright red eye appeal with lovely richer tones throughout and unique reflectiveness across its immaculate proof surfaces.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this scarcer proof Indian Cent issue valued at $1,050 in its red gem condition. This coin is available for purchase via Make Offer for just $1,100. This is a fair price point as it is still on par with the price guide, but the coin is just simply too far advanced for the grade in both eye appeal and surface quality.
Why we love it: A lovely, original gem example of this great type coin for the Three-Cent Silver set. This fresh, original piece offers pretty toning, strong luster and just simply immaculate surfaces overall.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide is not accurate in our opinion with their estimate of $1,750 for this coin but the CPG Value is far more realistic at $1,250. Even with that said, our best price beats even the CPG Value as we gladly offer this pretty gem 3-Cent Silver for just $1,100 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: This intriguing collector lot of ten slightly better date S-Mint Lincoln Cents features coins with blazing red lustrous gem surfaces. The eye appeal of this impressive set is stunning across the board as all the coins have truly pristine devices and fields that represent the assigned grade perfectly.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this collector lot valued at a combined $1,000. It is available for purchase at the far lower, reasonable price of just $650 via Make Offer, a solid $350 discount off the PCGS Price Guide value for this 10-coin lot of lovely gem Lincoln Cents.
Coins Our Employees Love
During this week’s in-office version of Coins We (the employees) Love, we asked Emily B. what her favorite coin was!
"My favorite coin is the 1889-O Morgan Dollar. After coming to DLRC, I was surprised to find out that the U.S. Mint made dollar coins at all, and I found the Morgan Dollars particularly mesmerizing due to the long run they had as a series. I'm partial to the toned coins, as I think they make the coin even more beautiful and unique."
Check out all of the available "Coins We Love" from past newsletters