Coins We Love: Dateline Baltimore
Dateline Baltimore. Team DLRC has been gradually descending on the numismatic capitol of the East Coast, Baltimore, Maryland this week. Having arrived on Tuesday, we’ve had two full days of numismatic activity and have been rather thrilled with the resulting business that’s occurred. On day one we reviewed a few auction items in between appointments to buy coins (and sell a few). In all, we visited a nice handful of the early bird arriving dealers and were quite pleased with the results. Our favorite two appointments occurred in the evening after Mike and I grabbed dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and ended up lasting until 1am on Wednesday.
Overall, the buying was VERY good on the opening day, and we hoped it would continue through the show. On Wednesday, we joined one of the largest trading rooms at the show as per our usual routine, and we had one of our most active pre-show trading events in the past two years. If this is a sign of the upcoming show, we are thrilled. After dinner with Paul Nugget, my favorite gold expert and colleague, I called it a night to review the CWL and check out a little Disney +. While Thursday and Friday will be active days for us for sure, we don’t really know what to expect, but if today was a sign, we’re looking forward to it!
One funny note: When buying coins, any qualified dealer needs a consistent light source, so you’ll see us wandering around with desk lamps under our arms. It looks quite odd, but it’s one of the tools of the trade. As I got onto my elevator back at my hotel around 1am, a younger couple joined me for the ride. I got a strange look around the 5th floor and the gentleman slyly said, “Nice lamp.” Well, I enjoyed the humor with a response, “Well, the lighting in my room was very subpar, so I thought this would improve the ambiance.” As I exited the elevator, I left a REALLY confused couple and was thankful for an upcoming few hours of rest.
While the days can be long, it’s what we enjoy. We look forward to seeing some of you this week in our natural habitat! And hopefully the lamp holds up for the week…
Sincerely,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it: An underrated date, the 1802 Bust Half Dollar is scarce from a low mintage of just 29,890 coins. Few high-grade specimens survive as only 11 pieces have been graded finer by PCGS. While it’s typically not considered such a rarity, it’s our favorite date in the early years of the series as they just don’t come around in high quality. The surfaces of this coin display pretty rose, blue and golden rim tints with flashy central luster making for fantastic overall eye appeal. Overall, this is absolutely one of the prettiest examples of the date that we’ve seen in years.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG value on this coin are extremely comparable at a respective $22,000 and $21,200. This closeness in estimates should bring potential bidders great assurance on the accuracy of those numbers. The starting bid in this week’s auction is set reasonably at just $19,500.
Why we love it: The 1873-78 Trade dollar proofs are much scarcer than the 1880-83 (proof only) issues and are much harder to find. This piece is an absolutely blazing white example of this popular Proof Trade Dollar issue. No examples are graded finer with this being the only Proof 65+ Deep Cameo by PCGS. With the added CAC seal of approval, this piece is absolutely the most attractive example for the date and grade that we've ever seen.
Value: This coin, being CAC approved and the finest known example, defines the phrase “one of a kind” and is incomparable to any price guide. However, our starting bid in this week’s auction of $36,500 for this registry quality Trade Dollar is in our opinion a fantastic value.
Why we love it: A CAC approved choice XF example of this scarce date from the popular Carson City Mint. 9,450 pieces were produced in January and February before the mintage was ceased for four years at the famous mint. It is estimated that only five percent of the entire mintage survived the melting of the coins in the later decades allowing for few quality issues to be had.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide values this coin at $12,250 but PCGS factors in nothing for the premium of CAC approval. Our lovely choice original XF example is available in this week’s auction with a starting bid of just that same $12,250 even with the CAC sticker.
Why we love it: Scarce Philadelphia minted Quarter Eagle from the Civil War era with a mintage of just 98,508. The survival estimate of this issue is less than a couple hundred with only five graded finer than this choice uncirculated example. Delightful eye appeal coming from its yellow-gold coloring and satiny luster.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG value on this coin are extremely comparable at a respective $10,500 and $10,300. This closeness in estimates should bring potential bidders great assurance on the accuracy of those numbers. The starting bid in this week’s auction is set at just $9,500.
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 Good issue with smooth surfaces and decent 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 has this CAC approved coin valued at $12,500 in its Old Green Label Holder. We gladly offer a best price via the Make Offer function of just $12,000. That is an Old Green Label Holder and CAC approval both at no premium at all.
Why we love it: This proof Half Eagle comes from a miniscule mintage of just 75 pieces struck and holds the incredible pedigrees of D.L. Hansen, Eliasberg and Clapp. Only about half the mintage survives today and PCGS has graded just three finer. Impeccable orange-peel surfaces with super deep mirrors and well-struck satiny devices. This beautiful registry-quality gem deserves to be in the finest of Numismatic Collections.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide values this coin at $97,500 but factors in nothing for the premium of its astounding pedigrees. Our deep cameo ultra-gem example is available in this week’s auction with a starting bid of just $81,100. Over $16,000 under the price guide even coming from these prestigious collections.
Why we love it: A beautiful high-grade example of this wildly popular Confederate States restrike half dollar token. 500 of these were struck around 1879 using the original dies from the original CSA half dollars (struck on the reverse side of a Seated half dollar). The other sides of the token feature a custom design by JW Scott who was responsible for all of the 1879 CSA restrikes (including penny and half dollar). Over the years, these have become increasingly popular and sought-after from collectors who specialize in coinage of the Confederacy and Civil War History. Most of the examples we see of this issue are dark and mottled. This coin is the exception with white, prooflike surfaces.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $7,950 in MS64 and at $11,500 in MS65. PCGS factors in nothing for the premium of CAC approval. Our gorgeous example of this Confederate States Restrike half dollar token has a starting bid of just $8,000. Free of any premium for the CAC sticker.
Why we love it: Scarce Civil War Date Liberty Seated half dollar that is tied for the finest known. Hailing from the D.L. Hansen Collection, this piece is perfectly original with fresh, lustrous surfaces. Both sides of this stunning gem are beautifully, naturally toned with gorgeous rainbow highlights.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide values this coin at $16,000 with a plus grade but PCGS factors in nothing for the premium of CAC approval. Our toned gem example is available in this week’s auction with a starting bid of just $15,000. $1,000 under the price guide even with the CAC sticker.
Why we love it: The 1867 Double Eagle is a much better date in its series, especially in Mint State grades. Just three other coins are part of the PCGS MS63 grade population with just one MS66 graded finer. Perfect representation of the grade with minimal amounts of marks, blazing luster and stunning eye appeal.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG value on this coin are extremely comparable at a respective $25,000 and $26,600. This closeness in estimates should bring potential bidders great assurance on the accuracy of those numbers. The starting bid in this week’s auction is set reasonably at just $23,800.
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. As close to gem as it gets, 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 starting bid set quite low at $6,250 considering the CAC approval and the premium that brings.
Why we love it: The Open 3 is a restrike of this rare proof-only date and widely collected. From a mintage of just 500 coins in which just 17 others are graded finer with Brown color by PCGS. Quality surfaces with relatively few marks make it true to its grade. Its rich toning and lovely mirrors give the coin nice eye appeal.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG value on this coin are extremely comparable at a respective $3,850 and $4,000. This closeness in estimates should bring potential bidders great assurance on the accuracy of those numbers. Our best price via Make Offer is set reasonably at just $3,600.
Why we love it: Extremely popular due to its major rarity silver dollar cousin, and to the fact that the 1804 quarter is quite scarce. Only 6,738 coins were struck, and few survive in sound condition. It's much scarcer than the 1796 quarter as few were saved. Choice VF original surfaces with light, even wear and coloring and a lot of remaining detail.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $14,500 in its choice VF condition. We gladly offer a best price via the Make Offer function of just $13,250. That is a solid $1,250 discount off the price guide for this amazing key date quarter.
Why we love it: A stunning gem Liberty Seated Half Dollar from the D.L. Hansen Collection with a mintage of just 12,000 coins in which only two others are finer at PCGS. The eye appeal is gorgeous between its blazing luster and beautiful CAC approved surfaces. The toning includes blue rim tints with lovely cascading rose colors to the center devices.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $8,500 in MS66 and at $15,000 in MS67. PCGS factors in nothing for the premium of CAC approval. Our gorgeous example of this Liberty Seated Half Dollar from the D.L. Hansen Collection has a best price of just $9,250 via Make Offer. Nearly free of any real premium for the CAC sticker.
Why we love it: A satiny gem example of this underrated date that has a mintage as low as just 3,900 coins struck. Only 16 other pieces are graded finer by PCGS. This beauty out of the D.L. Hansen Collection displays gorgeous yellow-gold coloring along with incredibly high-quality surfaces and luster.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $4,750 in its lovely gem condition. We gladly offer a best price via the Make Offer function of only $4,590. That is a solid $250 discount off the price guide for this scarce, underrated Gold Dollar.
Why we love it: A scarce and popular New Orleans Mint Three-Dollar Gold Piece. This lustrous AU example shows no noticeable signs of wear which, combined with its olive-gold color, creates a unique, pleasing eye appeal. From a low mintage of just 24,000 coins struck, there are only two others graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $19,500 in its lovely AU condition. We gladly offer a best price via our Make Offer function of $17,250. That is a discount of $2,250 off the price guide for this scarce O-Mint 3 Dollar Gold Piece.
Why we love it: A near-gem example of this desirable Liberty Seated Dollar from the New Orleans Mint. The mintage is relatively low at just 360,000 in which only four of those are graded finer by PCGS. This lustrous piece exhibits flashy, satiny surfaces with beautiful overall highlights.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide estimate on this coin is a bit high and simply inaccurate at $6,500. The CPG value is far more realistic at $5,620. With that said we proudly offer a best price below both price guides at just $4,750 via Make Offer, creating what we feel is an excellent value.
Why we love it: For a variety of reasons, the 1861-D is the most important and desirable gold coin produced at the Dahlonega Mint. It is the single rarest collectible gold dollar, and it is the only issue conclusively produced entirely by the Confederacy. An estimated 65-75 are known in total, with around a dozen or so having claims to Uncirculated status. Some of these higher graded coins have been processed and are no longer original as a result. Many others are off the market in tightly held collections. This example is one of the more affordable versions of the historic date. With a mount removal noticeable around 12 o'clock on the obverse and the 6 o'clock spot on the reverse, and a light obverse cleaning, this piece has a few minor issues. However, the D on the reverse is quite strong, and this piece is still famous historically as being the only gold coin that can be confirmed to have been struck by Confederate soldiers in 1861.
Value: This coin, considering its condition and backstory, defines the phrase “one of a kind” and is incomparable to any price guide. However, our best price via our Make Offer function of $19,250 for this Dahlonega Mint rarity is in our opinion a fair and reasonable value.
Why we love it: This scarce Charlotte Mint Liberty Head Quarter Eagle displays flashy, lustrous surfaces and ideal yellow-gold coloring. The fantastic eye appeal and limited blemishes of this coin are the reason for its CAC approval and are a nice surprise given the assigned grade. This coin comes from a low original mintage of only 23,226 coins struck, in which there are only thirteen examples graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $8,000. It can be yours today for just $7,250 via Make Offer. That is $750 below the PCGS Price Guide value for this scarce, low mintage Liberty Head Quarter Eagle from the popular Charlotte Mint with CAC approval.
Why we love it: Scarce lower mintage date out of Denver in which just 210,000 coins were originally produced. Of that mintage, just a fraction exists today and only 16 of them are graded finer by PCGS. This lustrous near gem represents the grade perfectly with minimal marks and overall pleasing surface quality.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $14,000 in its near-gem condition. We gladly offer a best price via our Make Offer function of just $10,500. That is a generous $3,500 discount off the price guide for this beautiful Gold Eagle.
Check out all of the available "Coins We Love" from past newsletters