Greetings from Dave

I am writing this just before leaving for the Florida United Numismatist Convention for a week, followed by a trip to the West Coast¬ touching bases at several places including a ceremony at the California Historical Society, San Fran¬ cisco, and a visit to Collector’s Uni¬ verse headquarters at Newport Beach.

Recent weeks have been scenes of great activity here at Bowers and Merena Galleries, with the coin mar¬ ket as strong as can be imagined. To me this is very interesting and rewarding, especially with all the news we have been reading about the national economy. Perhaps coin collecting is not speculative, is tried and tested, and in any event provides an interesting hobby amid the cares of life and the rest of the world.

Scott Travers, well known writer, called the other day for some information about an article he was preparing. He asked about Harry Bass, and I remarked that Harry was, perhaps, the ideal numismatist. Working with a very generous budget, he discovered coins in the 1 960s, and he set about building a library for reference and also buying coins of interest-at first buying just about anything and everything in the American series, from tokens to medals to silver coins to paper money. Later he nar¬ rowed his focus to gold. Along the way he carefully examined each purchase, made notes concerning the die varieties, and in other ways enjoyed his coins. Then, more than 30 years later, after his passing, his heirs consigned the greater part of his collection to us for auction, making his treasures available to a new genera¬ tion of enthusiasts.

While it is nice to have an ample or unlimited budget, the same path followed by Harry Bass has been followed by many others, some of whom spend large amounts, and others who find pleasure in taking coins from circulation, or collecting inexpensive series. I speak from experience as one of my pet spe¬ cialties is worn, counterstamped copper cents bearing interesting inscriptions. Most of these cost just a few dollars each, and only an excep¬ tional piece has ever cost me more than $100. I have collected these since about 1955 and am as enthusiastic today as ever. Similarly, I can close my eyes and think of other clients who enjoy Liberty Head nickels, putting together a type set of Liberty Seated silver coins, or collecting Indian Head cents. Numismatics is unlimited in its scope and possibilities. And, there is something for every budget and every desire.

Enjoy the pages to follow, and while you are doing so, be sure to check out our listing of books for sale, just as Harry Bass enjoyed his library and used it for enhancing his appre¬ ciation of what he purchased, plus furnishing guidance along the way, you will find a few dollars invested in books is about the best money you can spend.

See you in the next issue!

-

Q. David Bowers

Bowers and Merena Galleries

A Collector's Universe Company (nasdaq: clct)

January 22, 2001 Wolfeboro, NH

CC Issue #102 * 800-222-5993

®2001 Bowers and Merena Galleries

ISSN 1073-9580 $3

J.P. Morgan, Coin Collector -

Tom LaMarre

Morgan’s Career

A renowned art collector and bibliophile, John Pierpont Morgan donated paintings, stat¬ ues and books to many American libraries. However, his coin collection was another mat¬ ter and much of it was sold decades after his death.

Morgan was born in Hartford, Connecti¬ cut, in 1837, and educated at the University of Gottingen in Germany. In 1871, with members of the Drexel family of Philadel¬ phia, he organized the New York banking firm of Drexel, Morgan & Company. It be¬ gan lending vast sums to railroad builders and industrial corporations in the 1880s and was later reorganized as J.P. Morgan and Company.

Morgan helped organize the United States Steel Corporation and was active in financing International Harvester, AT&T and General Electric. In 1891 he inherited a fortune from his father, financier Junius S. Morgan. Four years later, J.P. Morgan and Company ended a gold shortage in the U.S. Treasury by selling ah of a $62 million government bond issue (at a profit that was never disclosed).

Morgan also dominated the anthracite coal combine. When 150,000 miners went on strike in Pennsylvania in 1902, an arbitration agreement was drafted aboard his yacht, the Corsair, in New York harbor. Small wonder that in 1904 John Moody wrote in The Truth About Trusts'.

Viewed as a whole, we find the dominat¬ ing influences in the Trust to be made up of an intricate network of large and small capi¬ talists, many allied to one another by ties of more or less importance, but ah being ap¬ pendages to or parts of the greater groups, which are themselves dependent on and al¬

lied with the two mammoth, or Rockefeller and Morgan groups. These two mammoth groups jointly... constitute the heart of the business and commercial hfe of the nation.

J.P. Morgan

In March 1904, however, the U.S. Su¬ preme Court dissolved the Northern Secu¬ rities Company, a merger of almost ah the rail systems of the Northwest. The key players in the merger were John Pierpont Morgan and James J. Hill.

Morgan, the Collector

When he wasn’t busy steering the nation’s economy, Morgan collected paintings, statues, books, manuscripts (he owned Leaves oj Grass in Walt Whitman’s handwriting) and. yes, coins.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Morgan eagerly sought rare coins and was

able to acquire a nearly full run of United States gold Proof sets from the late 1850s onward from the collection of Philadelphia numismatist Robert C.H. Brock (other Brock items went to the University of Penn¬ sylvania and later to B. Max Mehl). Morgan presented 410 gold, 357 silver, and many other coins and medals to the American Museum of Natural History, New York City. In 1908, with the Museum’s and Morgan’s consent, the collection was trans¬ ferred to the American Numismatic Society, where it remains today.

In November 1908 The Numismatist printed a note congratulating Virgil M. Brand on the purchase of the DeWitt S. Smith Collection in a competition in which his rival was Morgan. Not many collectors could outbid and outmaneuver Morgan, but Brand did.

When offering the William F. Dunham 1822 $5 for sale in 1941, B. Max Mehl noted this:

A number of years ago, while in Chi¬ cago, Mr. Dunham told me that some year or two after his coming into possession of this great coin, a representative or agent of the late J. Pierpont Morgan, called on him and urged him to part with the coin, finally offering him thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000.00) cash for it.

This incident was later, and just recently, verified to me by Mr. Henri Ripstra of Chi¬ cago (immediate past president of the American Numismatic Association), who infomis me that he was present in Mr. Dunham’s office when the offer was made by the representative of Mr. Morgan.

Morgan never did own an 1822 half eagle.

(continued on page 10)

Bowers and Merena

Box 1224

Wolfeboro, NH 03894

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 1 DANVILLE, NH 03819

2

The Coin Collector

January 22, 2001

COLONIAL AND EARLY AMERICAN COINS

Lovely 1723 Hibernia Halfpenny Choice Mint State

1723 Wood’s Hibernia halfpenny. Breen-155. MS-

64 RB (PCGS). 11 Harp Strings. Lovely, lustrous surfaces with the reverse nearly fall red. Nicely struck for the type, with fairly strong central details, a defi¬ nite “plus” where this issue is concerned. A splendid coin, a truly pleasing specimen ofWilliam Wood’s ill- fated coinage for Hibernia (Ireland) . 1,545

Memorable 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny

1760 Hibernia Voce Populi halfpenny with P be¬ low. MS-64 BN (PCGS). The finest known only two others graded VG-VF and two graded EF-40 by PCGS. This issue is known with a P in front of the portrait and also with below the portrait (as here). As a class, such varieties are much rarer than those lack¬ ing this letter . 7,950

1762-BB French Colonies Sou Marque. Breen-634. EF- 40 . 199

Lovely 1776 Continental Dollar

1776 Continental dollar. Breen-1095. Newman-3D. Pewter. EG FECIT. AU-58 (PCGS). A lovely, very appealing specimen of one of the great classics in Ameri¬ can coinage. Exceptional pewter gray surfaces with bright silver highlights on the outlines and motifs— among the finest quality examples we have ever offered. Sharp and crisp design elements with lightness of defi¬ nition only at the tops of NCY and bottom of 6 in the date, and at the opposing reverse details. An exceptional quality example in all respects . 24,500

The obverse depicts a sundial with the Latin inscription, FUGIO, or “I fly,” referring to the rapid passage of time. Below is the notation, MIND YOUR BUSINESS. Around the border: CONTINENTAL CURRENCY and the date 1776. This motif was later (1787) adapted for use on the Fugio copper cent.

The reverse has interlocking rings, each inscribed with the name or abbreviation of a state, with AMERICAN CONGRESS and WE ARE ONE at the center. An early die state with light reverse cracks, not nearly advanced as seen on certain other examples of this variety.

The genesis of the 1776 Continental dollar is one of the mysteries remaining among early American coin issues. The writer is of the school that this is an authorized emission of the Continental Congress and was intended to replace the SI paper note (one with the same obverse design had been printed, but then discontinued — a gap which might indicate that the pewter dollars were used instead). No contemporary legislation, coinage contract, or other specific record has been located, but same prob¬ ably exists — somewhere.

1783 Nova Constellatio. Crosby-3c. Small U.S., Blunt Rays. AU-55 (PCGS). Misspelled CONSTELATIO variety. Medium brown with traces of red in the protected areas, especially in the rays and stars motif on the reverse. Nicely struck and devoid of all but the most trivial of surface marks. This issue is typically seen on lightly porous and somewhat dark planchets, making the present coin all the more desirable . 1,895

1785 Nova Constellatio. C-3b. Script U.S., Pointed Rays. EF-45 (PCGS). Correct CONSTELLATIO spelling. A pleasing chocolate brown example of a popu¬ lar variety, nicely struck with strong central details. 1 ,095

1788 Massachusetts cent. Ryder-IOL. EF-40 (PCGS). Medium chocolate brown with somewhat glossy sur¬ faces and delightful eye appeal for the grade. The first coinage issued in the United States to actually bear the designation CENT (or HALF CENT as on its smaller brethren) . 995

Many of the dies of the Massachusetts cent (and half cent) were engraved by Jacob Perkins of Newburyport, Massachusetts, who is also well known to philatelists as the engraver of the plates for the first postage stamp, the British “Penny Black.”

1787 Connecticut Copper. M-43.1-Y, Rarity-2.

Draped Bust left. EF-45 . 759

1788 Connecticut Copper. M-ll-G, Rarity-2. Mailed

Bust left. VF-25 . 425

1786 New Jersey copper. Maris-18-M. Bridle variety.

VF-20 (PCGS). Deep chocolate brown with lighter high points. A vertical die break that runs downward from the horse’s muzzle gives this popular variety its in¬ teresting sobriquet . 595

1786 New Jersey copper. M-18M. Bridle variety. G-7. 115

1787 New Jersey Copper. M-6D, Rarity-1. Outlined

Shield. VF-20 . 419

1787 New Jersey Copper. M-63S, Rarity-1. Large Planchet. VG-10 . 249

1787 Vermont Copper. Bust Right. Ryder-14, Rar¬ ity-3. VF-20 . 559

1788 Vermont Copper Bust Right. R-17, Rarity-4+.

VF-20 . 625

1788 Vermont copper. Bust right. R-20. Rarity- 3. VF-20 (PCGS). Attractive medium brown sur¬ faces . v . 895

1788 Vermont Copper Bust Right. R-25, Rarity-2.

VF-30 . 479

1789 Mott Token. Thick planchet Breen-1020. VF-

30. Some have called this America’s earliest-dated storecard . 479

Splendid Kentucky Cent

Undated (c.1792) Kentucky cent. Breen-1155. Plain edge. MS-64 BN (PCGS). A splendid specimen of this popular variety; the edge style usually seen . 1 ,495

Undated (c.1792) Kentucky cent. B-1155. Plain edge. AU-50 (PCGS). Chocolate brown with a hint of tan. Strong design details present for the grade; CAUSE is bold on the obverse scroll, and the states are all fully vis¬ ible on the reverse stars . 495

1795 T A & L Cent Choice Uncirculated 1795 Talbot Allum & Lee cent. Breen-1035. MS-63

BN (PCGS). Iridescent olive-brown. A pleasing example of this popular New York-related issue. Many of the Talbot Allum & Lee pieces remained undistributed and were purchased by the Philadelphia Mint, then cut down for use as planchets for half cents . . . 1 ,595

1791 Washington Small Eagle Cent A Perennial Favorite

1791 Washington cent. Small Eagle. Baker-16, Breen-1217. AU-53 (PCGS). Rich chocolate brown with somewhat glossy surfaces and subdued lustre in the protected areas. Just a few scattered marks are present, none of which immediately draw the viewer’s eye. A thoroughly pleasing example of a classic issue — one of the

best-known Washington tokens of the era . 1,495

Undated Washington Double Head cent. B-6, B- 1204. AU-58 (PCGS). Attractive deep tan surfaces dis¬ play plenty of gloss and lustre. This popular issue is more apt to be seen in heavily circulated grades of VG to VF, and with noticeable circulation and handling marks. The present coin is an exception to that rule, and, indeed, is hardly ever seen this nice! Mention a strong strike and an absolute minimum of marks, and the appeal of the present coin increases dramatically. Don’t miss out on this one, for who knows how long it will be before we can offer a

piece of similar quality . 995

1795 Washington Grate token. Large Buttons, Let¬ tered edge. AU-55 (PCGS). Rich deep chocolate brown faded from original color. Prices for Washingtoniana, collected in America as long as there has been collecting in America, are in many cases lower in real terms today than they were in the 1870s. The present specimen has no doubt been preserved in numismatic

cabinets for most of its life . 1 ,195

1787 Fugio Cent Pointed Rays. KN 17-s.l. Rarity- 5. VF-30 . 675

A Selection of Bolen Struck Copies Bolen copy. 1785 Confederatio copper, Inimica Tyrannis. Large Circle of stars. Kenney-2, Bolen- 7. AU-55. A truly lovely example ofjohn A. Bolen’s famous copy of this classic American rarity. Rich tan sur¬ faces show amazing detail and plenty of eye appeal. One of just 40 examples produced in copper by Bolen circa 1863, these 19th-century copies are regarded as highly collectible today. We only see specimens of this rare is¬ sue occasionally, and we always have multiple requests for

the occasional pieces we offer . 729

John Adams Bolen (1826-1907) was perhaps the most widely known and most prolific engraver ofstruckcopiesof his day. His pieces are avidly collected by specialists in the token field as well as collectors of colonial coins, and the demand for quality specimens never lessens. In Struck Cop¬ ies of American Coins (1952), author Richard D. Kenney noted the following sentiments from Bolen regarding his struck copies: “I have been informed that they have been worn or rubbed and made to look old, then sold as genuine.

I spent a great deal of time on them; on one I worked from a genuine coin, on the others from very fine electrotypes. They are all quite scarce now. They were not a financial success to me.”

The mintage figures have been published in various places, including by Bolen himself, but in general they are not accurate — as Bolen apparently lost track of how many he made, and in some instances additional pieces were made by others. In general, all Bolen pieces are scarce, and some are very rare. However, many are not quite as rare as the published mintage figures.

Bolen copy. 1785 Confederatio copper, Inimica Tyrannis. Small Circle of stars. K-3, B-8. AU-55.

Deep tan with lustre and dynamic eye appeal. A definite pleaser where overall appearance is concerned. Another popular rarity from the hand ofjohn A. Bolen, one of 40 copper examples of the variety produced circa 1863. Rare

and a pleasing adjunct to the above variety . 729

Bolen copy. 1737 Higley copper. Three Hammers. K- 4, B-10. MS-64 RB. Copper. Highly lustrous red and brown with delightful eye appeal. One of 40 copper cop¬ ies made by Bolen circa 1864, and rare as such . 695

Bolen placed a mark, a raised dot, in the C of PENCE, so that his copies could be readily told from genuine pieces of this rare issue.

Bolen copy. 1737 Higley copper. Three Hammers. K- 4, B-10. MS-63 RB. Copper. Another pleasing speci¬ men of this rarity . 695

Edwards copy from Bolen dies. 1737 Higley copper. Three Hammers. K-4, B-10 for type. MS-65. Brass. A copy in brass, struck by Dr. F.S. Edwards from the dies sold to him by Bolen. An unusual issue, a copy of a copy!

Rare . 545

Bolen copy. 1787 Excelsior copper, George Clinton. K-8, B-37. MS-60 BN. Copper. A sharp and delightful medium brown specimen of another popular Bolen rarity. One of 40 copper examples struck by Bolen circa 1 869. A pleasing rarity, perhaps a bit conservatively graded, but certainly priced to yield

a good value at . 1,150

Bolen copy. 1787 Excelsior copper, Liber Natus Libertatem Defendo. K-10, B-Mule 12. AU-55. Brass. Lustrous olive-gold with richer toning on the high points. A delightful example of this Bolen rarity, one of only five examples said to have been struck in brass. The overall quality and extreme rarity of the issue add up to a

grand value at our asking price of . 725

Bolen copy. 1787 Excelsior copper, Neo Eboracus. K-ll, B-Mule 13. MS-63 RB. Copper. Warm brown with much red brightness in the protected ar¬ eas. A great rarity from the Bolen series, one ofjust five pieces said to have been struck in copper of this muling, although we suspect more were made. The 1787 EXCELSIOR copper with eagle facing right is the obverse of this rarity, while the NEO EBORACUS with eagle is the reverse . 795

HALF CENTS

Attractive 1793 Half Cent 1793 Breen-2, Cohen-2. VG-8 (PCGS). Pleasing me¬ dium brown with a few fight scratches from nearly two centuries ago. Satisfaction guaranteed as always. The re¬ verse is rotated about 45°. . 2,995

Pleasing 1793 Half Cent 1793 B-3, C-3. VG-8 (PCGS). Nice old-time surfaces. A lovely example of our first half cent issue, struck during the summer of our Mint’s first year of operation. 2,995 Most 1793 half cents were struck injuly, with deliveries dated July 20 and July 26, 1793. An additional quantity were delivered by the coiner to the Mint treasurer on September 18, 1793.

1826 B-l, C-l, MS-63 BN (PCGS). Fabulous color and surfaces . 795

Gem Proof 1831 Half Cent Rarity 1831 B-2. Proof-65 RD (PCGS). An outstanding example of the “First Restrike” 1831 half cent, with the reverse of 1 836. This variety is only known in Proof quality. Of the few that exist, nearly all are of considerably lower grade and eye appeal than the sparkling gem offered here. This variety was struck after the production of 1836 Proof half cents sharing the same reverse die. The latter coins were considered Originals, and were actually struck in

1836 . 24,950

The 1836 dated coins have perfect reverse dies while these 1831 restrikes have a cracked reverse die. In his Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents, author Walter Breen listed 26 examples from this die pair; however, we suspect some of these may have represented duplication, with perhaps just 20 distinct examples known. In addition, he listed nine Originals in Proof and another five Second Restrike examples, bringing the total Proof population of this date to just over 30 coins.

The collecting of Proof half cents of the rarity years is an interesting pursuit. While all are fairly expensive, in terms of their absolute rarity they are priced much less than better known varieties in other series. A complete date set of such pieces would include 1831, 1836, 1840 through 1848, 1849 Small Date, and 1852.

1 832 B-3, C-3. MS-63 BN (PCGS). Lovely mahogany and tan surfaces with splashes of darker brown. A pleasing,

fally lustrous example, for the type collector . 439

1833 B-l, C-l. MS-61 BN . 295

1834 B-l, C-l. MS-62 BN (NGC). Medium brown

with splashes of darker brown and olive. Struck from clashed dies, lending interest (we endeavor to mention such features as we see diem, although the certifica¬ tion services do not) . 289

1835 B-2, C-2. MS-64 BN (PCGS). Sharply struck with

lustrous dark brown obverse. The reverse is lighter tan with iridescent highlights . 595

1855 B-l. MS-64 RD (PCGS). Lustrous red surfaces. Weak obverse and reverse borders are typical of this is¬ sue. An ideal example to consider for your type set. 1 ,295

1855 B-l MS-64 BN (NGC). Medium brown and olive iridescent highlights . 595

LARGE CENTS

1798 Sheldon-166. Second Hair Style, Large 8. VF-25.

(PCGS). A pleasing dark brown specimen of this popu¬ lar date and variety. The so-called Whisker Variety, from a tiny hair-like die defect under Miss Liberty’s chin. The reverse has a heavy die crack from the fraction curving through the left branch to E of UNITED. This is com¬ mon to all known examples of this variety . 1 ,195

1802 S-229. EF-45 (PCGS). Pleasing well-centered surfaces. Dark olive-brown. A very difficult die vari¬ ety in this condition. A rare early die state. The reverse die, which was combined with four different obverse dies, is instantly identified by the broken, or incom¬ plete ribbon bows directly below CENT . 1 ,195

ORDER IT TODAY, ENJOY IT TOMORROW! Request our overnight service; free on coin orders of $500 or more, just $ 1 0 for orders below that amount. In this way that special coin can be in your hands just hours from now!

Popular and Choice 1820/19 Overdate 1820/19 Newcomb-3. Small Date. AU-58 (NGC). Lustrous fight brown surfaces with hints of red and faint blue patina, popular overdate crossing two decades. 1 ,450 Three different overdate varieties exist for coinage of 1820. These three overdates are each from a different die pair, with three overdated obverse dies combined with three different reverse dies.

1820 N-13 Large Date. MS-65 BN. (PCGS). Sharply struck with highly lustrous tan surfaces accented by pale blue toning. Among Randall Hoard varieties from 1816 to 1820, this die variety is the most sharply detailed, a wonderful candidate for the type collector . 1 ,295

Attractive 1823 Restrike Cent 1823 Restrike. MS-64 RB (NGC). Brilliant in most ar¬ eas, with attractive fight brown toning. A very high qual¬ ity specimen of this fascinating coin — a variety bom under unrecorded circumstances in the early 1860s, and which famished the subject for a talk by our own Mark Borckardt at the American Numismatic Society’s Coin¬ age of the Americas Conference a few years ago. This

example is from a very late die state . 1 ,695

1826 N-7 MS-62 BN (PCGS). Attractive fight tan with

splashes of darker brown. Hints of orange may be seen

on the reverse . 1,195

1837 N-10. Head of ’38. MS-65 BN (PCGS). Gorgeous olive-tan surfaces with chestnut highlights. Considerable

aesthetic appeal . 1,195

1837 N-3. Head of ’38. MS-64 BN (PCGS). Lustrous

brown . 775

1848 N-2. MS-64 BN (PCGS). Lustrous dark brown sur¬ faces with splashes of lilac, gold, and iridescent toning.

Bases of 18 are recut below . 595

1851 N-2. MS-65 BN (NGC). Lustrous olive-brown sur¬ faces with considerable orange mint lustre . 975

1853 N-10. MS-64 BN (PCGS). Dark olive-brown sur¬ faces with hints of orange lustre . 329

1855 N-4. Upright 55. MS-66 BN (NGC). Sharply struck with satiny dark brown lustre and traces of orange

on the reverse . 1 ,295

1857 N-l. Large Date. MS-65 BN (NGC). Sharply struck with lustrous olive-brown surfaces. Considerable orange lustre is visible, especially on the reverse. An at¬ tractive example of our last circulation strike large cent issue . 995

SMALL CENTS

Indian Head Cents

1859 MS-64 (PCGS). Bright even golden bronze with

excellent lustre and choice eye appeal for the grade. Full cartwheel and a pleasing look make this a prime specimen of this one-year type coin . 925

Obverse with Indian portrait as first produced in pattern form in 1 858 (in which year the date logotype was arranged with the numerals in a straight line; on the circulation strike issues of 1859 the date is arranged in an arc or curve). The reverse of the 1 859 Indian cent has a laurel or olive (both designations were used in Mint correspondence) wreath.

1860 MS-64. Lustrous . 329

COMING YOUR WAY! Some really interesting is¬ sues of the Rare Coin Review and The Coin Collector are in the works, plus lots of information on our Internet site (sur¬ veyed by Lycos in 1999 and found to be one of the most interesting in existence!). Be sure your subscription is up to date, so as not to miss a single one! And, some really notable auction catalogues will be arriving in your mailbox, too.

1863 MS-65 (PCGS). Full lustre and subde toning give this piece excellent eye appeal for the grade. Add this date to your set or upgrade your present specimen for... 1,175

1864 Bronze. MS-65 RB (NGC). Excellent cartwheel lus¬

tre with bright mint red mellowed lightly in the center of the coin. All details are fally struck and the eye appeal would be difficult to match with a coin graded even higher. A lovely gem . . . 350

1866 EF-40. Medium tan surface . 209

1867 MS-64 RB (NGC). Bright mint red dominates with

intermittent faded color. Excellent lustre and impeccable eye appeal; this coin would improve almost any set of Indian cents . 595

We believe that there is a tremendous amount of value among coins designated as “RB” — for “red and brown.” This is because pieces designated “RD” (full red, although orange would be a better term) are appealing to those who feel they want the finest quality. However, connoisseurs of the Indian cent series have realized that there are many RB coins that are nicer in terms of real quality than those marked RD. The Proof is in the seeing.

1868 MS-64 BN (PCGS). Beautiful chocolate brown faded

from mint color mixed with motded red. Excellent eye appeal and lustre for this low-mintage Indian and unlikely to remain long at . 529

1869 MS-64 RB (PCGS). Lustrous red and brown. 925

Enticing Gem 1870 Cent

1870 MS-65 RB (NGC). Mostly mint red with choco¬

late brown and unbroken lustre. One of the “semi¬ key” Indian cents and quite difficult to find in Mint State, let alone with this much visual appeal. A very nice cent . 1,495

1871 MS-65 BN (PCGS). Deep chocolate brown and vio¬

let with blushes of red. Fully struck and brilliantly lus¬ trous, this cent is choice for its assigned grade. The 1871 and 1872 are second after the famous 1877 among cents of this decade. Over a period ofyears we believe we have had fewer pieces dated 1871 than 1872 . 1,395

1872 F-12 (ANACS). Attractive medium brown sur¬ faces . 299

1874 MS-65 BN (PCGS). Lustrous brown with a halo of mint red at the periphery . 579

1874 MS-63 RB (NGC) Lustrous and glossy red and brown with very nice visual appeal for the grade. .. 239

1875 MS-65 BN (NGC) . 635

Lovely Gem 1876 Cent

1876 MS-65 RB (PCGS). 70% red with fight coppery green faded from color. A beautiful and lustrous specimen of this much sought after Indian cent date rarity. . 1,495

Full Red Proof 1877 Cent

1877 Proof-64 RD (PCGS). Brilliant orange-red with

reflective surfaces. A beautiful specimen of this key date among Indian cents, one that would fit nicely in a high- grade set or stand alone as a remarkable specimen of this popular and rare issue . 5,995

This is the date in the Indian cent series — head and shoulders above any other issue in terms of elusivity. Regarding Proofs, the number struck is not known, and various references have stated the figure as 5 1 0 (the number of silver coins struck this year, with the assumption that copper coins were made in like quantity) upward. Our feeling is that perhaps 1,250 were made, more or less. Of those, many have suffered damage or have simply disap¬ peared. We imagine that no more than 300 or 400 coins exist in all of numismatics can be called true Proof-64 or finer today. Considering the fame and demand for this coin, here, indeed, is a most important offering.

The Coin Collector

January 22, 2001

3

Desirable AU 1877 Cent

1877 AU-50 (PCGS). Pleasing medium brown with subde highlights. Lightly circulated but attractive specimens of the 1877 cent are in high demand — and have been as long as collectors have been drawn to the Indian cent series! We expect this one to find a happy home with a collec¬ tor with a discriminating eye . 1,995

1877 F-15. Glossy chocolate brown surfaces and great eye appeal for the grade. A choice specimen of this avidly sought key . 995

1877 VG-10 (NGC). Smooth brown surfaces and ex¬ cellent eye appeal for the grade level. Glossy and at¬ tractive . 895

1877 G-6 (PCGS). Chocolate brown and very pleasing

for the grade. With all of the indignities lavished upon most coins of this grade, it is remarkable that this piece survived its time in circulation with such nice visual appeal . . . 495

1878 MS-64 RB (PCGS). Fully struck and outstandingly lustrous, this piece is mostly bright mint red with only light fading to a pleasing brown in the left obverse field. An exceptional quality specimen of this scarce date. The year 1 878 marks the final Philadelphia issue which today is considered to be numismatically elusive. Among ex¬ tant 1878 cents, few at the MS-64 level can equal the

quality of the piece offered here . 675

1879 MS-64 BN (PCGS). Lustrous with lots of red vis¬ ible . 189

Beginning with this year it is a do-able challenge to put together a complete run of Philadelphia Mint Indian cents by date. Although some are scarcer than others, all are readily available in choice grade, as hereoffered, and for

reasonable prices.

1882 MS-62 BN. Lustrous brown . 79

1884 MS-65 RD (PCGS). Lustrous red . 539

An exceptional specimen with mint red, per conven¬ tional nomenclature, but in all instances such pieces should be called mint orange.

1885 MS-65 BN. (NGC). Lustrous medium brown with generous amounts of mint red in the protected areas of legends and devices. A very pleasing gem specimen of the most elusive single date of the decade. Afind for the ad¬ vanced collector . 595

1885 MS-64 RD (NGC). Brilliant red. A splendid speci¬ men with nearly full original color. Quite elusive in the

context of coins of this decade . 775

1885 MS-64 BN (NGC). Pleasing medium brown with nice lustre and lots of red near the date and peripheries.

Lots of value at this level, in our opinion . 229

1888 MS-64 RJ3 (PCGS). Red dominates medium brown with excellent lustrous cartwheel. Nice and t

attractive . 299

1 888 MS-64 BN. Sharply struck and very lustrous. Lots of red adheres to the peripheral legends and devices. . 175 1891 MS-64 RB (NGC). Bright mint red merges into pleasing old-time brown. Exceptional lustre and very attractive . 149

1 894 MS-64 RB (PCGS). Marvelous lustre with mostly red surfaces. A light “woodgrain” effect gives this coin very nice appeal. Of the various Indian cents of this decade, the 1894 is considered to be the hardest to find. ... 179

1895 Proof-65 RD (PCGS). Full mint red with heavily

mirrored surfaces and subtle old-time multicolored ton¬ ing on the reverse. Seeing this coin, it is not difficult to imagine what a Proof set might have looked like on the day of issue. A splendid example — we wish the dollar that shared its case for many years were still around! The ad¬ vanced buyer will find that this 1895 Proof Indian cent is indeed exceptional in quality — with very few similar pieces available in the market now or anticipated anytime soon . 1 ,350

1900 Proof-64 RB. (PCGS). Bright and reflective mint color barely faded in areas, with the reverse retaining nearly full red. A nice specimen of this century-old Proof.

A quality that bespeaks rarity. Most at the Proof-64 level

are not nearly this nice . 395

1901 MS-60 RJB. Lustrous red and brown . 29

1903 MS-64 RB (PCGS). Lustrous red and brown. ... 79 1907 MS-64 RB (PCGS). Lustrous red and brown with mostly red. The most plentiful date in the Indian cent series, not rare, not even scarce, but certainly attrac¬

tive! . 99

1907 F-12. Struck 5% off center (PCGS). An interesting conversation piece, a curious mint error . 225

Phenomenal Full Red 1908-S Cent

1908- S MS-66 RD. (PCGS). Bright mint red with a pleas¬

ing light “woodgrain” effect and beautiful cartwheel lus¬ tre. Fully struck and exhibiting ideal eye appeal. One of the most difficult dates in the series to locate in a nice Mint State specimen; in fact, the present coin is a candi¬ date for finest known as PCGS has certified none finer. A prize for the specialist in the Indian cent series and a coin for which many collectors have likely searched for years without success . 4,995

1909 Indian. MS-64 RB (PCGS). Lustrous brown with highlights of red . 79

1909- S Indian. MS-64 RB (NCG). Lustrous brown with a lot of red. Lowest-mintage issue in the Indian series . 945

1909-S Indian. F-12 (PCGS). A nice “middle grade” specimen of this American classic; very pleasing detail and

eye appeal but still only . 525

Lincoln Cents _

1909 V.D.B. MS-66 RD (PCGS). Brilliant red . 145

1909-S V.D.B. AU-55 BN (PCGS). Lustrous brown. 895 1909-S V.D.B. VF-30 (NGC). Smooth medium brown and very pleasing to the eye. This coin was likely plucked from circulation in the 1 920s, allowing for the wear, and carefully preserved since that time. A splendid example that will be the highlight of a nice circulated set of Lin¬ coln cents . 635

1909-S V.D.B. VF-30 (PCGS). Glossy medium brown with excellent visual appeal. A superb specimen for the grade. Very scarce in proportion to the fantastic demand

for coins of this famous variety . 635

1909-S V.D.B. VF-25. Medium brown and choice, with glossy surfaces and few marks for the grade. A charming specimen of this coveted rarity . 615

1909- S V.D.B. VF-20 (ANACS). Nice fight brown with

golden highlights. The letters V.D.B. are well struck and bold and this piece is a splendid specimen overall, a nice representative of the VF-20 grade . 585

Gem Matte Proof 1910 Cent

1910 Matte Proof-65 RD. (PCGS). Full mint red, with a strike that lets details emerge that you may not have even known were there. Difficult to find with such great color, this specimen is an elegant gem example of a Matte Proof Lincoln cent — a rather rare class of coin. .. 1 ,795

1910- S AU-53 . 62

1911- D MS-64 RD (NGC). Brilliant red. Quite elusive

in this grade, and generally found on the market one coin at a time . 595

1911- D AU-53 . 72

1912 Matte Proof-65 BN (NGC). Deep violet and faded

red with excellent eye appeal. An attractive specimen for those assembling a set of Matte Proof Lincolns or a neat “spice” piece for a set of circulatibn strikes. Scarce this nice . 775

1912- D MS-65 RD (PCGS). Satiny lustre on fully red surfaces. A condition rarity. Available in low grades, but at this level it is a rarity of significant import and a welcome

addition to even the finest set of Lincoln cents. . 1,295

1913- S AU-53 . 95

1914 AU-50 . 29

1914- D VF-30. A nice example at this grade level. A clas¬ sic key issue in the Lincoln cent series . 299

1915 Proof Cent Rarity

1915 Proof-66 RB (PCGS). Impressive mint color faded to light orange and rose to visual appealing effect. Very rare in this grade — or even close to it! Afmd for the con¬ noisseur and specialist and a lovely addition to any col¬ lection . 2,895

1916-S MS-65 BN (NGC). Choice chocolate brown with much red and an excellent full strike. A supremely attrac¬ tive specimen of this issue, which is nearly impossible to

find this fine . 995

1918 MS-63 RB. Lustrous red and brown . 37

1918 MS-60 BN. Lustrous brown . 14

1921-S MS-65 RB (PCGS). Bright lustrous surfaces faded gently from mint color and still predominantly red. Choice for the grade and exhibiting superb eye appeal . 1,295

Splendid 1922 “No D” Cent 1922 No D. AU-50 (NGC). Smooth chocolate brown with vestiges of mint gloss. Most details sharply struck, atypical of this issue that looks worn even in the highest grades. This is the most difficult Lincoln cent to find in this condition or finer, making the 1909-S V.D.B and even the 1914-D pale in comparison. A very rare coin and one that should catch the attention of any Lincoln cent enthusiast. This is from “Die pair 2,” easily recog¬ nized by a weak obverse and strong reverse. This die pair is the only pair now considered to be a true 1922 “No D” Lincoln cent . . . . . 3,750

Choice 1922 No D Lincoln cent 1922 No D. EF-45 (PCGS). Strong reverse. Nice glossy medium brown surfaces with excellent eye appeal and a splash of bronze near Lincoln’s jaw. By any reckoning, one of the nicer 1922 “plain” cents we’ve seen in awhile! Choice in appearance and very well struck for the issue with no trace of a mintmark. Sure to be a bright spot in a well-assembled collection of Lincoln cents . 1,995

High Grade 1922 “Plain” Cent 1922 No D. EF-45 (PCGS). Smooth chocolate

brown . 1,995

1922 No D. VF-20 (PCGS). Strong reverse with a dark

brown obverse . 695

1925 MS-66 RD (PCGS). Full mint color and exceptional lustre. Not rare but certainly splendid in appearance. 215

1925 MS-65 RD (PCGS). Fully red and lustrous . 99

1926-D MS-64 RB (PCGS). Nearly full red with hints of

light brown . 299

1928 MS-66 RD (PCGS). Bright and lustrous with full mint red . 215

1 929