1907 $20 St. Gaudens Large Letters UNIQUE NGC Proof 64 Matte This 1907 $20 St. Gaudens gold piece is the only known example with Large Edge Letters. There are three known with Small Letters. This unique proof striking is a phenomenal piece with bright surfaces and a beautiful overall appearance. The Large Letters Arabic twenty is technically a pattern, although unrecognized as such in numismatic reference books. The year 1907 was one of great experimentation in the Mint, and great diversity is seen in the double eagle series. In this single year, coins were struck as Ultra High Reliefs, proof High Reliefs, regular High Reliefs with a wire rim, regular High Reliefs with a flat rim, lowered relief proofs from both Collar I and Collar II, and low relief business strikes. This Large Letters matte proof edge variety is unique. The Ultra High Reliefs had the largest edge lettering in the series, followed by the regular issue High Reliefs with collars I and II. Collar I was either used in error or experimentally on this matte proof and only one coin was produced. Coins with Collar I read: I * * * * * * * E * I P L U R I B U S I * U N U M * * * * I. To further distinguish this coin from its earlier, Small Letters counterpart, the Collar I coins show the bases of M in UNUM level, but on Collar II coins they are slanted. The Large Letters Arabic Numerals proof was produced after the Small Letters proof striking(s). This is based on the belief of the presence of an area of die polishing seen around 9 o'clock on the obverse rim. Such an area of die polish would surely have been present and visible on an earlier striking, and it is for this reason that this piece was struck after the Small Letters proof(s). Also, this piece shows complete definition on the Capitol building, indicating mint personnel had a better grasp of how many tons of pressure to apply to strike this coin than the Small Letters piece, which displays obvious softness on the Capitol. This particular coin is most easily identifiable by a shallow, horizontal planchet flake located to the left of the branch stem held in Liberty's right (facing) hand, Also, there are minor planchet imperfections around the eagle's beak. Lightly hairlined in the fields, but really quite pleasing with brighter surfaces than seen on matte proofs struck the following year, and actually more closely resembling the "Roman Finish" of 1909-1910 in overall appearance. Medium orange-gold coloration is seen over each side of this impressive and unique proof striking. Pedigree: Captain North cased set; New England Rare Coin Galleries; Ken Goldman; Hatie Collection (Bowers), lot 2855; Trompeter Collection; Heritage private sale, 1999; Phillip H. Morse Collection of Saint-Gaudens Coinage (Heritage), lot 6536, 11/05. 1908 $20 St. Gaudens With Motto UNIQUE NGC Proof 65 Satin This unique 1908 $20 was struck with a satin finish. It is distinctively different from all other proofs struck in 1908. It exhibits bright surfaces and has a semi-reflective sheen in the fields. Both 1907 and 1908 issues of double eagles saw variants in both design and finishes. The 1908 coins are most notable for the No Motto and With Motto designs. All proofs from that year are With Motto coins. These pieces characteristically are found with deep khaki-green coloration and pronounced matte surfaces. However, of the 101 proofs struck, one satin finish proof is known. One would think that this piece was struck late in the year as a prototype for the satin finish used in 1909 and 1910. However, research done by the staff at Sotheby's in 1997 indicates that this piece was actually presented to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts by William Sturgis Bigelow on June 11, 1908. The museum's catalog card for the coin states: "One of the first coins struck after this legend was restored." This information was supplied to the museum by Frank Leach, Mint Director at the time of the coin's striking. This piece has a finish that is distinctively different from other proofs from 1908. The surfaces are bright, orange-gold with a semi-reflective sheen in the fields; in short, a "Roman Gold" proof. This piece first appeared in public auction after it was deaccessioned by the BMFA in the 1976 ANA catalog (Stack's). Both a double eagle and an eagle with a Roman Finish were consigned to that sale, and both brought surprisingly high prices for the time: $7,500 for the ten dollar and $10,000 for the double eagle. Close examination of the plate in the 1976 ANA catalog and the 1997 Sotheby's catalog show that this is the same coin. There are a couple of "shiny spots" that show on the photos that are also present on this coin. This is the Boston Museum of Fine Arts coin and the one piece that has been consistently recognized in the literature as a Roman Finish proof. An exceptional opportunity for the specialist to acquire a unique example of the Roman Finish from 1908. Pedigree: Dr. William Sturgis Bigelow (from Theodore Roosevelt?) after May 18, 1908; Bigelow to The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, June 11, 1908; 1976 ANA Sale (Stack's, 8/76), lot 3302, where it brought $10,000, and was purchased by Jim Halperin/NERCG; 1987 GNA Sale (Mid-American, 5/87), lot 2115, where it realized $69,300; Sotheby's (12/97), lot 268, where it realized $253,000; Heritage (11/05), From The Phillip H. Morse Collection of Saint-Gaudens Coinage, where it realized $276,000 as a PR64 PCGS. Note - It has been recently graded and certified as a PR65 NGC Satin. 1796 $2.50 No Stars 3rd Finest Known NGC MS 63 This is the single-rarest Quarter Eagle type from the 1796-1834 era. This NGC certified Mint State 63 piece is the third finest known and is a truly spectacular example with lightly reflective fields and bright luster. The Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle of 1796-1807 is the work of Robert Scot. The first examples delivered in 1796 do not display stars as part of the obverse design, but all subsequent pieces display an arrangement of this popular device type around Liberty's portrait. Mintages remained limited throughout the entire series and no Quarter Eagles were struck with the dates 1799, 1800, 1801 or 1803. With fewer than 1% of the original mintages believed to exist, all issues in the Capped Bust Right Two-and-a-Half series are understandably rare and infrequently encountered in today's market. Among the early quarter eagles produced from 1796 to 1834 are several important type coins, including two distinct single-year designs and several important subtypes of these basic designs. There is little doubt that the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle and the 1808 Capped Bust quarter eagle are two of the most important type coins in the entire spectrum of American numismatics. After the Mint Act of April 2, 1792 was passed by Congress, steps were taken to proceed with a physical Mint facility in Philadelphia, then the nation's capital. The cornerstone for the new building, the first official government structure in the United States, was placed on July 31, 1792, and construction continued until early 1793. Silver dollars were coined in 1794, and gold coins beginning in 1795. The first quarter eagles were struck on September 21, 1796, with a delivery of just 66 pieces. It is believed that all of these pieces were the extremely rare variety now known as BD-1 (BD for Bass-Dannreuther), that a further delivery of 897 pieces dated December 8, 1796, were all examples of this BD-2 variety, and finally a delivery of 432 quarter eagles dated January 14, 1797, were all the BD-3 variety of the 1796 With Stars design. These first quarter eagles featured the Draped Bust obverse design in a plain field with LIBERTY above and the date below. The reverse was the Heraldic Eagle design adapted from the Great Seal. A shield covered the eagle's breast with a row of clouds and a constellation of 16 stars above. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA follows the border, and the eagle holds an olive branch and arrows in its claws. Recently, the finest known example, a PCGS MS 65, sold in a Heritage Auction for $1,725,000. 1796 $2.50 With Stars 3rd Finest Known PCGS MS 63 Although the No Stars design of 1796 is the more popular coin with its one-year type design, the With Stars variety is actually considerably rarer with less than half as many struck (432 vs. 963 pieces). Since the With Stars has the same design type as the successive years through 1807, it is an overlooked issue among early quarter eagles. The estimates of the number of survivors range from as few as 20 to 25 coins (Akers) to a high of 30 (Breen). The actual number of survivors is probably in the range of 50 coins. Virtually all are in the VF-XF grade range, most show weak striking and have adjustment marks. The Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle of 1796-1807 is the work of Robert Scot. The first examples delivered in 1796 do not display stars as part of the obverse design, but all subsequent pieces display an arrangement of this popular device type around Liberty's portrait. Mintages remained limited throughout the entire series and no Quarter Eagles were struck with the dates 1799, 1800, 1801 or 1803. With fewer than 1% of the original mintages believed to exist, all issues in the Capped Bust Right Two-and-a-Half series are understandably rare and infrequently encountered in today's market. This piece is fully struck and is proof-like. Rich reddish-orange patina covers each side of this attractive coin with bright, semi-proof-like fields. Recently, the finest known example, A NGC MS 65, sold in a Heritage Auction for $1,006,250. This MS 63 PCGS $2.50 1796 With Stars would be the centerpiece of any U.S. Gold collection. 1808 $2.50 NGC MS 63 This 1808 quarter eagle has excellent eye appeal and exhibits full luster. It is one of only 2,710 pieces that were minted that year, and it is likely that all were from a single pair of dies. It has the usual die state with an obverse die crack through the rear peak of the cap, continuing over the cap to the left, and through all stars on the right. At the Stack's auction in November of 2008, a MS 63 example of this date in a PCGS holder set a record price of $517,500. 1797 $10 Small Eagle Finest Known & Finest Certified NGC MS 63 1797 was the final issue of the Small Eagle type $10 gold pieces, and the rarest of the three dates. Only 3,615 pieces are believed to have been struck. The design of the 1797 Small Eagle is unique in that no other Eagle has the same arrangement of stars on the obverse. There are twelve stars on the left and four on the right. It is easy to identify a 1797 Small Eagle without even seeing the reverse, as the 1797 Large Eagle has a different obverse star arrangement. Breen only knew of one coin that showed an unbroken obverse. Apparently, this awkwardly arranged die, with 12 stars left and 4 right, broke shortly after being put into commission. This is an earlier striking as the crack is apparent in the lower right field but is not present yet on Liberty's neck and jaw. Of the 25-30 pieces believed known, perhaps 5-6 exist today in Uncirculated condition. This is a unique opportunity for the specialist to acquire this coin, since it is the finest example known to exist and the only MS 63 certified at PCGS and NGC. This coin sold for $448,500 in the Goldberg Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction on May 28,2007 (sale 41, lot 1643). 1796 $10 NGC MS 62 To find a 1796 Capped Bust Right eagle in MS62 condition is extremely rare. This date is very popular and new price records continue to be set every year. This coin has spectacular eye appeal with prooflike surfaces and a rich, greenish-gold color. It is one of the finest specimens known. 1806 $5 NGC MS 65 This coin has excellent eye appeal and is one of the finest known early half eagles of the Heraldic Eagle type (1795-1807). It is fully struck, in gem condition and is a much rarer coin in this grade than the Cap Bust types that followed. 1812 $5 NGC MS 65 The 1812 Half Eagle is important to collectors since it is the final year of this coinage type. Early gold is difficult to locate in any grade, and it is especially challenging in mint condition. At a Heritage auction in January of 2008, a MS 65 example of this date in a PCGS holder set a record price of $161,000. 1813 $5 NGC MS 65 CAC The 1813 Half Eagle is important to collectors since it is the initial year issue in the Capped Head Left series. Gems are almost impossible to find, with less than half a dozen known in MS65 or finer grades. 1795 13 Leaves $10 NGC MS 64 This $10 gold piece is a stunning example with great eye appeal and semi reflective surfaces throughout. It is from the Freedom Collection that was previously sold by Heritage Auction Galleries. The prooflike fields are clearly reflective and the surfaces are exceptional and almost totally mark-free. One of the best examples and a first-class opportunity for collectors of rare United States gold coinage! This coin realized $448,500 in the September 2007 Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction. 1799 $10 NGC MS 64 This is an impressive coin for the type collector or specialist looking for quality and it has excellent eye appeal. This is the Large Obverse Stars type. Heraldic Eagles (1797-1804) are very scarce in MS 64 or better.