Archive for October, 2009

1932 Double Eagle MS64 PCGS

A Lovely Near-Gem 1932 Double Eagle

The surfaces of this lovely near-Gem reveal a few scattered marks on the high points of Liberty’s legs and torso that seemingly account for the grade. Radiant luster is abundant throughout the orange-orange surfaces, which deepen on the reverse to a couple of reddish-orange areas.

A small dark toning spot is noted near the reverse rim at 8 o’clock. An eye-appealing and well-struck piece.

Offered at $75,000 - Call us at 800-992-9881 to Purchase this Coin

1931 Double Eagle MS66 NGC

A Classic Double Eagle Rarity

The 1931 issue, like its brethren the 1930-S, the 1931-D, and 1932, is a classic rarity issued late in the history of the Saint-Gaudens double eagle series.

The original mintage figure of 2.9 million-plus pieces is meaningless; the low survival rate, after the great Gold Recall of 1933, makes this issue among the rarest series issues.

In our The Coinage of Augustus Saint-Gaudens as Illustrated by the Phillip H. Morse Collection, we made the following comments about the 1931: “Among late date (1929-1932) issues of Saint-Gaudens double eagles, the 1931-P is probably the one with the least clearly-defined relative rarity ranking. Some numismatists rank it second in overall population rarity only to the 1930-S, a step ahead of the 1932 and 1931-D and, of course, the 1929. Others believe the 1931, while rarer than the 1929, is less available than the other three late-date issues. Our experience leads us to side with the former camp regarding the relative rarity of the 1931.”

The present example is not only rare in the absolute sense, but its phenomenal preservation also makes it a conditional rarity of the first order. Most of the Mint State survivors are in the ranges from MS61-MS64, although Gems are occasionally available as well. Premium Gems are another story altogether, as NGC and PCGS combined have certified 14 submissions at that level, a figure that almost certainly includes duplications.

Only a single coin, an MS67 PCGS example, has been certified finer at either service. This MS66 coin possesses delightfully appealing surfaces, with consistent, rich orange-gold coloration throughout. We note for pedigree purposes a couple of minor ticks on Liberty’s left (facing) thigh, and a contact mark that passes through several rays of the sun in the obverse left field.

Call us at 800-992-9881 to Purchase this Coin

1907 $20 St. Gaudens High Relief Wire Rim MS69 PCGS CAC

Finest Known 1907 High Relief Wire Rim, MS69 PCGS

1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim MS69 PCGS. This issue was a revision of Saint-Gaudens’ Ultra High Relief double eagle, as the latter proved impractical for circulation strikes because it required seven blows from a 150-ton medal press to fully articulate the design. The “High Relief” could be struck after just three blows of the medal press. Over 12,000 High Relief twenties were struck by the end of December, 1907.

A so called “Wire Rim” protruded around the outer extremity in the coins, which resulted from excessive metal flow between the die face and collar during the striking process. Unlike today’s collectors who consider the Wire Rim to be a highly collectible variety, Mint officials considered it to be a striking deficiency. This “flaw” in the striking process was corrected around mid-December, and subsequent High Relief double eagles possessed what became known as a “Flat Rim.”

The High Relief Wire Rim example offered is a supremely preserved, satiny gem of this highly regarded Saint-Gaudens issue. The execution of this design in high relief has, to date, been the ultimate achievement of the coiner’s art–a fact widely recognized and reflected in the price of these coins. The design elements on this coin are very well defined, indeed better that what might be expected for the issue. Despite multiple blows, the typical High Relief Wire Rim specimen may display weakness on the stars, on the Liberty and eagle motifs, and the on the tops of the letters. The present coin reveals strong definition in most of these areas. Only small portions of the Capitol building and the eagle’s wing feathers exhibit minor softness. A pleasing yellow-gold patina bathes each side, both of which have managed to escape any signs of post-striking impairments, and the radiant, satiny luster has a gleam that is unique to High Reliefs. The overall effect is one of originality and three-dimensionality, giving this spectacular piece more of a look of a medal than a circulating coin. A minute alloy spot beneath the eagle’s neck identifies the coin. The Wire Rim feature is uncharacteristically present around virtually the entire obverse, and around a good portion of the reverse. Population: 1 in 69, 0 finer (10/2009).

Ex: Trompeter Collection; Morse Collection Pedigree

SOLD

1908-s $20 St. Gaudens NGC MS63

Undervalued and underappreciated!

Two words that best describe the date with the smallest mintage of such a celebrated series (mintage 22,000).

Clean fields, a good strike, and great luster make this a perfect piece for the Saint collector looking to fill holes in their collection.

The date has all the attributes that the investor looks for and with the date becoming more prominent expect values to rise.

$23,500 - Call us at 800-992-9881 to Purchase this Coin

1811 Classic Head Cent S-287 NGC MS64BN

1811 boasts the smallest mintage of the Classic Head cent.

It is a well struck chocolate brown beauty of the normal date variety.

This is the finest known for the date in BN with a total of 6 graded by both services.

An opportunity for the copper specialist, but also a solid buy for the savvy investor. As copper continues to surge this will be winner for one lucky owner.

$15,000 - Call us at 800-992-9881 to Purchase this Coin