Letter from the Editor
At the American Numismatic Associa¬ tion convention in Anaheim in August we were the biggest buyers. Mark Borckardt, Ray Merena, and 1 were busy morning, noon, and afternoon writing checks! (But not at night — we were busy attending meetings and other events.)
New purchases by the hundreds are featured in this issue of The Coin Collector. Half cents, Lincoln cents, colonials, Liberty Seated quar¬ ters— -you name it, and we probably have it!
Reflective of market interest we empha¬ sized Morgan dollars, commemoratives, and Liberty Walking half dollars among our pur¬ chases. Among Morgans we have an in-depth selection of the ever-popular Carson City issues at reasonable prices. I think in terms of price paid vs. coin received, a Mint State "CC" dollar of 1882, 1883, or 1884 (the three most available dates) has to be a best buy anywhere in any field of collectibles! I love them! Among commemoratives we bought a very nice selection of design types as well as some low-mintage issues. I still think that these rare commemoratives are really cheap, and when¬ ever I see a quality example I buy it. With regard to Liberty Walking halves, we bought sev¬ eral dozen Mint State pieces from 1916 onward including a number of especially high-qual¬ ity coins of the early 1916-1929 years. You'll find lots of other delicacies as well — check out the gem 1876 $3 classic rarity for example!
As always, our first order of importance when buying was quality. Often we have to exam¬ ine five, 10, or even more coins, including certified coins, to find just one that has an excellent combination of numerical grade, striking qual¬ ity, and aesthetic appeal. The numerical grade (MS-63 or whatever) is only a part of the buying equation. Our business is amazing inasmuch as we spend more effort buying coins than selling them! How nice it would be if we could simply call up a warehouse and say, "send us a dozen 1941-S half dollarsand six 1885- CC Morgan dollars." However, we can't. Each coin we buy has to be evaluated separately. A lot of work, energy, and travel are involved. You, of course, are the beneficiary.
Check this Issue carefully and call our Direct Sales Department at 1-800-222-5993, and Gail Watson, Chris Karstedt, or Mark Borckardt will take care of your order right away. Most items in this issue are one-of-a- kind in our stock, so order as early as you can. Meanwhile, as Gail, Chris, and Mark are sending coins out to you, in my office just a few feet away I will be busy working on the next issue of The Coin Collector.
Happy collecting!
Best wishes,
Q. David Bowers
Postscript I am now reading my copy of Edgar Souders' brand new book, Bust Half Fever. The volume covers Capped Bust halves from 1807 to 1836 and is an adjunct to (not a substitute for) Al Overton's standard reference on the series. Author Souders looked at half dollars from a personal and collecting aspect and created a highly readable and interesting text The mixture of market opinions, commen¬ taries (sometimes iconoclastic), historical facts, minting information, and more makes this a really fine addition to any bookshelf. See page 16 and order your own copy.
ft»®
CCO«e
September 11, 1995 f CC Issue #30 Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc. f Wolfeboro, NH f 800-222-5993
®1995 Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc.
ISSN 1073-9580
$2.00
A “Dream Collection” of U.S. Coins
by Q. David Bowers
Ground Rules
While reading a program bulletin put out by the Ameri¬ can Numismatic Society, New York, I noted that Dr. Leo Mildenberg was set to present a talk, “A Dream Collection of Greek Coins.”
I didn’t get a chance to attend Dr. Mildenberg’s presentation, which I’m sure was outstanding, but the title of his talk prompted me to turn my thoughts to a “Dream Collection of United States Coins.”
If money were no object, what coins would I include?
First, I gave myself some ground rules. I have a bias, and that is an interesting coin is more desirable to own than an expensive one, all things being equal. For that reason, you will find the “lowly” 1909 V.D.B. cent (you can buy one on the market for just a couple of dollars) on my list.
Also, in the interest of having this article be less than book length, I am including just federal coin issues from 1793 to date. Were I to include colonial coins or territorial gold coins, the article would quadruple in size, for almost all of these are interesting to me!
Another requirement was that this be a small collection-compact enough to fit in an exhibit case with space for an index card describing each. At this point in my day¬ dreaming I, see a group of United States coins including an 1804 silver dollar,
1885 trade dollar, MCMVII Extremely High Relief $20, and other legendary treasures.
A Letter from Ohio
However, a week or two later there arrived in the mailbox a letter from J.B., a Cleveland, OH, reader, who commented:
“I have always enjoyed your articles and publications and dream about many of the coins and the stories about them. 1 would like to see an article written by you along these lines: “What coins I would buy with $5,000 if this were all I could spend over a lifetime, and which coins would show the beauty, history, unusual stories and monetary policies of our country?"
Upon reflection I decided to limit my Dream Collection of United States Coins to a total expenditure of under $5,000. No longer would it include such delicacies as the 1804 dollar and 1885 trade dollar, nor would there be an Extremely High Relief MCMVII $20. This would at once fill the request of J.H. and also make the collection more challenging. Doing something on a budget is always more of a challenge than having an unlimited checkbook. Further, I had the thought that a $5,000 collection would probably be affordable to most Coin Collector readers, should anyone want to actually form one.
To form a common ground with my readers,
I have used prices in the new 1996 edition
of A Guide Book of U.S. Coins. Actual market prices may vary.
Here goes:
U.S. Copper Coins
Half cent: 1828 12 stars. EF-40 ($150):
One of my favorite half cent varieties, and inexpensive, too (although market prices for truly nice coppers might be above the Guide Book values listed here). A diecutting blunder.
Half cent: 1857 EF-40 ($125): A rare issue and the last of the half cents. Mint Director James Ross Snowden wrote that most of the 35,180 pieces minted were melted rather than released. Here you have a sleeper. Expect to pay a bit over Guide Book however.
Large cent: 1817 15 stars VF-20. ($120): But, expect to pay a bit more. One of the most fascinating diecutting blunders in American coinage history. I have always considered the overall aspect of this issue to be a bit unusual, and were it not for the fact that it is die-linked with other varieties through the reverse, I would say that it was made somewhere else besides behind the Mint’s front door.
Large cent: 1818 MS-60. ($300): a little messenger from the thousands of large cents dated 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, and 1820 from the famous Randall Hoard, about which several fine articles have been written. Here you get a Mint State large cent and some nostalgia, too.
Large cent: 1857 EF-40. ($70): Scarce last date of the large cent series.
(continued on page 11)
Bowers and Merena
Box 1224
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID WOLFEBORO, NH PERMIT NO. 154
The Coin Collector f September 11, 1995
COLONIAL COINS
The latest news: This issue of the Coin Collector contains many interesting colonial, state, and related coins with emphasis on the state coinages of the 1780s.
Exceptional N-ll Pine Tree Shilling 1652 Noe-11. Massachusetts Bay Colony. Pine Tree shilling. Large' planchet. AU-50. 69.74 grains. Virtually round planchet, and quite hand¬ some as such. Light silver gray surfaces. Abundant traces of mint frost in protected areas. Small planchet rim split from striking pressure, just past N of IN. A splendid specimen of one of the most famous, most storied of all early Ameri¬ can coins . 5,925
(1688) Breen-78, N-4E. American Plantations token. MS-60. A.K.A. Plantation “halfpenny.” MS-60 or better with slightly prooflike surfaces. This is the circa 1828 restrike (although the ob¬ verse die break normally seen is not present on this specimen). Due to the nature of the compo¬ sition (tin), most of these are seen with heavy corrosion. This is a pleasant exception to the
rule! . 1,995
1760 Voce Populi halfpenny. Z-4-B. F-12. Light
brown . 99
1773 Virginia halfpenny. MS-64 RD. 90% bright mint red fading to brown on the devices. One of the fin¬ est we have ever seen . 875
1773 Virginia halfpenny. Period after S. Seven harp strings. MS-63 RB. 1 19.3 grains. 90% (or more) red, with some attractive rose and violet toning
highlights . 650
1773 Virginia halfpenny. Without period after
GEORGIVS. AU-55 . 295
Carolina Elephant Token Rarity O over E Variety
1694 Carolina Elephant token. F-12. Variety with O over E in PROPRIETORS (first misspelled as PROPRIETERS and then corrected). Attractive light brown surfaces. Smooth, even wear. El¬ ephant well defined on obverse. Reverse with most lettering clear, and with the O over E feature well
defined. A classic early rarity . 4,495
1767-A French Colonies. Copper sou. No Counterstamp. AU-50. 191.5 grains. Considerably scarcer without RF counterstamp than with it In¬ deed, Walter Breen speculated that over 98% of this mintage (1.6 million pieces) was counterstamped!
Mahogany and tan surfaces . 995
1786 Rydes 7. Vermont. Landscape type. F-15.
VERMONTENSIUM spelling . 695
1786 R-8. Vermont copper. Landscape type. Fine to VF. VERMONTENSIUM spelling. Light brown surfaces. Above average quality planchet An out¬ standing specimen . 1,295
1786 Ryder-11. Rarity4+. Vermont. Mailed Bust Left. F-15. On a somewhat rough planchet as al¬ ways seen. Quite elusive . 1,495
1788 Ryder-16. Vermont. Mailed Bust Right F-15 with some claims to a higher grade. Smooth, at¬ tractive medium brown surfaces. Small mint-caused planchet clip . . . 295
1786 Miller 5.4-C. Rarity-2. Connecticut Mailed Bust
Left VF-25. Struck slightly off center, affecting the tops of AUCTORI on the obverse and INDE on the reverse. Mahogany and brown surfaces . 375
1787 M4-L. Connecticut Mailed Bust Left, Homed
Bust (so-called from a die break extending upward from the shoulder of the portrait). VF-35. A choice specimen. Smooth brown surfaces . 795
1787 M4-L. Connecticut Mailed Bust Left Homed Bust EF-45. Slightly rough dark brown surfaces converge on olive and mahogany in areas. Some natural obverse planchet flaws as made. Sharp and
attractive for the grade . 495
1787 M4-L. Connecticut Homed Bust F-12. Medium
brown . 145
1787 M14-H. Rarity -4. Connecticut Mailed Bust Left
F-12. Pheons at date . 159
1787 M17-g.3. Rarity-4. Connecticut Draped Bust
Left VF-30. Pleasing light brown . 375
1787 M30-hh.l. Rarity-2. Connecticut Draped Bust
Left VF-35 . 1 . 475
1787 M31.1-r.4. Connecticut. Draped Bust Left EF-
40 . 475
1787 M31.1-r.4. Connecticut Draped Bust Left. F-
15. Medium brown surfaces. Tiny planchet defect on rim. Old attribution number inked in left ob¬ verse field (usually removable if desired.) .... 165 1787 M33.2-Z.5. Connecticut Draped Bust Left VF-
20 . 275
1787 M33.5-T.2. Rarity-5. Connecticut. “Skeleton
Hand” Draped Bust Left VF-25 . 425
1787 M33.6-KK. Rarity-4. Connecticut Draped Bust
Left F-12. Medium brown . 135
1787 M33.36-T.2. Connecticut Draped Bust Left VF- 30. Some original planchet surface is still seen at the centers, due to incomplete striking up in these areas (not unusual for the variety). Very attractive light brown surfaces; a superb piece overall.325 1787 M-33.6-KK. Connecticut Draped Bust Left VF-
30. Attractive light brown surfaces . 375
1787 M33.7-R.2. Connecticut Draped Bust Left. F-
15. Very faint porosity . 155
1787 M33.2-Z.5. Connecticut Draped Bust Left VF-
20. Light brown surfaces . 355
1787 M33.39-S.1. Connecticut Draped Bust Left EF- 45. Light brown. Some original planchet surface characteristics still visible on higher relief parts.
Outstanding quality . 975
1787 M33.39-S.1. Connecticut Draped Bust Left VF- 20. Lightly granular surfaces. Medium brown.
Attractive . 145
1787 M34-FF.1. Rarity-5. Connecticut Draped Bust Left. VF-20. Medium brown surfaces. Small
planchet streak on obverse. Attractive . 325
1787 M36-L.1. Connecticut. Draped Bust Left. VG-
8 . 135
1787 M37.3-i. Rarity-3. Connecticut Draped Bust
Left. VF-30. Medium brown surfaces . 345
1787 M43.1-Y. Connecticut Draped Bust Left VF- 20. Medium brown. Excellent strike and detail for the grade . 175
1787 M43.1-Y. Connecticut. Draped Bust Left Net
VF-20. Very little actual wear, but with planchet fissures, etc., as made and as often seen . 175
1788 M2-D. Rarity-2. Connecticut Mailed Bust Right
VG-8 . 95
1788 M2-D. Connecticut. Mailed Bust Right. VG-
8 . 65
1788 M9-E. Rarity-5+. Connecticut Mailed Bust Left
F-12 . 165
1788 Mll-G. Connecticut Mailed Bust Left F-15. 195 1788 M16.1-H Connecticut Draped Bust Left, a some¬ what anachronistic motif by 1788. EF40 . 395
1788 M16.3-n. Rarity-2. Connecticut Draped Bust
Left EF-45 . 995
1787 Nova Eborac (New York) copper. Reverse with
figure facing left VF-35 . 795
1786 Maris 17-K. Rarity-4. New Jersey. F-12. .. 275
1786 M20-N. New Jersey. VF-20. Wide shield. Light chocolate brown surfaces. Just purchased. .. 425
1787 M32-T. New Jersey. F-15. Late die state. 275 1787 M32-T. New Jersey. F-12. Porous. Early die
state. Sharpness of F-15 . 195
1787 M34-J. New Jersey. F-12. Lightly porous but at¬ tractive. Struck over a Connecticut copper. 175 1787 M48-g. New Jersey. VG-8/VF-20. Faintly porous
olive and tan surfaces. Outline to shield . 149
1787 M48g. New Jersey. VF-20. Light brown. Out¬ line to shield . 390
Condition Census 1787 Mass. Half Cent Ryder 2-A
1787 Ryder 2-A. Rarity-3. Massachusetts half cent. AU-58. Condition Census. Glossy brown surfaces showing minute details of die character¬ istics. A superb specimen, a prize for the
connoisseur . 2,750
1787 R 2b-C. Massachusetts cent. F-VF . 465
1787 R 3-G. Massachusetts cent. VF-EF. Medium brown planchet. From an old-time New England colonial collection . 780
1787 R 341. Massachusetts cent VF-30. Rich glossy
brown . 329
1788 R 7-M. Massachusetts cent F-12 . 149
1787 Auctori Plebis token. EF40. Obverse design
similar to the Connecticut Draped Bust Left cop¬ pers . 895
1789 Breen-1022. Mott token. Thick Planchet.
202.2 grains. AU-50 . 1,275
1789 B-1022. Mott token. Thick Planchet 166.64
grains. AU-50. A very attractive piece . 1,275
1795 Talbot, Allum & Lee cent. MS-65. Choice dark tan with traces of mint red. An especially nice
specimen . 1,295
1795 Breen-1035. Talbot Allum & Lee cent MS-63.
Thick Planchet. 156.9 grains . 495
1791 Washington Large Eagle cent VF-30 or finer.
Medium brown . . 495
1793 Washington Ship halfpenny. EF45 to AU-50. PAYABLE IN ANGLESEY LONDON OR LIVERPOOL. Very early (and unusual) die state; no bulge or failure. Medium brown surfaces.875
1795 Breen-1260, B-31. Washington. Liberty and Se¬ curity halfpenny. VF-30. PAYABLE IN LONDON
LIVERPOOL OR BRISTOL edge . 250
1795 B-1271. Washington Crate token. MS-60. Lus¬ trous surfaces. Mostly golden brown with some traces of faded mint red . 640
You Get First Pick!
This issue of the Coin Collector, #30, is laden with new purchases directly from the American Numis¬ matic Association convention and our recent cross-country buying trip. Take first pick of what you need!
Our Success Story is Simple...
Each coin we offer for sale is absolutely guaranteed to be in the grade you want, with the surface appearance and aesthetic quality you desire, and priced to be a good value — or your money back, if for any reason whatsoever you are not 100% delighted with any purchase, just return it within seven days of receipt for an instant refund — no explanation needed! We are not satisfied until you are.
Since our founding In 1953 we have built what is probably the most successful rare coin dealership in the world. From our offices deep in the heart of New England we supply choice, rare, and desirable coins to collectors, dealers, and museums in all parts of the world, and conduct auctions in New York City, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and other major cities.
The secret to our success is simple: At Bowers and Merena we treat you as we ourselves would like to be treated. We offer you personal attention to your needs, fast service (ask about our overnight delivery], excellent value, and a warm appreciation for your friendship and business.
HALF CENTS
Well-Struck 1793 Half Cent 1793 Breen-2, Cohen-2. VG-8 (ANACS Cache). Light brown surfaces. Especially well struck, with HALF CENT on the reverse very bold. An ideal specimen for a specialized collection or
type set . 2,495
1793 B-2, C-2. AG-3. Legible date and word LIB¬ ERTY. Portrait is distinctive, and much reverse detail is seen. Smooth, even wear. Light brown planchet. A very nice coin despite the technical
grade of AG-3 . 1,095
Fantastic 1793 Half Cent
1793 B-3, C-3. R-3. AU-58 BN (NGC). A superbly
struck specimen with exceptional detail in all ar¬ eas including the hair strands of Miss Liberty on the obverse and the words HALF CENT on the re¬ verse. Not one in 10 1793 half cents at this grade level is this nice! . 19,800
1794 B-l, C-l. VF-20 BN (NGC). Glossy medium
brown surfaces. As a date 1794 is much harder to find in higher grades than 1795. This is a beauty! . 1,650
1794 B-6b, C-4a. VF-20. Bold definition of details as typical for this date. Very faint porosity.1,395 Excellent B-9 1794 Half Cent 1794 B-9, C-9. VF-25 (PCGS). Dark brown sur¬ faces. Liberty Cap type, high relief, as this year only. An excellent and quite attractive selection
for a type set . 2,495
1797 B-2, C-2. Plain Edge. VF-20 (PCGS). Me¬ dium brown surfaces. A very pleasing example.
Just listed . 1,395
1800 EF45 BN (NGC). Glossy medium brown sur¬ faces . 495
1803 B-l, C-l. VG-8 BN (NGC) . 55
1804 B-6, C-6. Spiked Chin. VF-20 (PCGS) . 225
1804 B-7, C-8. Spiked Chin. AU-53 (PCGS). Very lus¬ trous brown surfaces . 725
1804 B-7, 08. Spiked Chin. EF40 . 315
1804 B-10, C-13. Plain 4, stemless wreath. EF45 BN
(NGC) . 195
1805 B-l, C-l. F-12. Double struck. Partial
brockage . . . 1,250
1807 B-l, C-l. EF45. Brown surfaces with delicate bluish gray highlights. Still quite lustrous, despite evidence of brief circulation. Die State III. .. 519 1825 B-2, 02. AU-55. Lustrous glossy brown sur¬ faces with some tinges of a lighter color . 385
1825 B-2, 02. VF-20 . 75
1826 B-l, C-l. EF45 . 145
1828 B-l, C-l. 13 Stars. EF45 . 95
1828 B-2, C-3. 13 Stars. MS63 BN. Lustrous. 325 1828 B-2, C-3. 13 Stars. MS-63 BN (NGC) . 325
1828 B-2, C-3. 13 Stars. AU-50 . 125
1829 B-l, C-l. MS-63 . 475
1829 B-l, C-l. AU-50 . 195
1829 B-l, C-l. EF45 . . . 135
1833 B-l, Cl. AU-55 . 149
1834 B-l, C-l. AU-50 . 115
1835 B-l, C-l. MS-65 RB (NGC). A nice mixture
of fiery mint red with lustrous brown . 1,495
Mint Red 1835 Half Cent
1835 B-l, C-l. MS-64 RD (PCGS). Brilliant mint
color . 2,395
1835 B-l, C-l. AU-50. Lustrous brown . 115
1837 Low49. Half cent token. EF45 . 169
Splendid Gem 1841 Original Rarity 1841 Original. Large Berries. Proof-65 BN (NGC). A splendid gem specimen of this famous rarity. Mirror surfaces are light brown with ample origi¬ nal mint red and with iridescent hues. Extremely well struck. One of the very finest extant speci¬ mens among only a few dozen known . 8,500
1849 B-4, C-l. Large Date. EF40 . 149
1850 B-l, C-l. Rarity-3. EF40 . 135
1851 B-l, C-l. AU-55 . 155
1851 B-l, C-l. AU-50 . 135
1853 B-l, C-l. MS-65 BN (NGC). Full glossy
brown . 1,195
1854 B-l, C-l. MS-65 BN (NGC). Sharply struck,
lustrous light tan surfaces . 1,195
1854 B-l, C-l. MS60. Glossy brown . 195
1854 B-l, C-l. AU-58 (NGC) . 165
1854 B-l, C-l. AU-50 . 135
1855 B-l, C-l. MS-65 RB (NGC). An outstanding
specimen that is sure to please the most discrimi¬ nating buyer . 1,750
1855 B-l, C-l. MS-64 RD. A lovely lustrous bril¬ liant red specimen. Not easy to find with this
aesthetic quality . 1,150
1855 B-l, C-l. MS-64 RD (PCGS). A splendid
coin. There is something special about viewing a gem such as this-minted about a century and a half ago, but today displaying its original mint
lustre . 1,150
1855 B-l. C-l. MS-64 RB (PCGS) . 695
1855 B-l, C-l. MS-63 BN. Glossy surfaces . 395
1855 B-l, C-l. AU-50 . 135
1856 B-l, Cl. MS63, red and brown . 475
1857 B-l, Cl. MS-62. Red and brown, but mostly
brown . 365
1857 B-l, Cl. MS-62 BN . 325
:
LARGE CENTS
Attractive Sheldon-9 1793 Wreath Cent Vine and Bars Edge; EF-40
1793 Sheldon-6. Wreath. Vine and Bars Edge.
EF-40 (PCGS). Splendid medium brown surfaces. Extremely attractive overall. Certainly in the top 10% quality-wise of 1793 cents at the EF40 level. From an old-time New England collection, off the market for years . 9,250
Rare 1794 S-17a Cent Head of 1793
1794 S-17a. Rarity-5. Head of 1793. VG-8.
Golden brown surfaces with some pitting and oxidation spots; attractive overall and, of course,
subject to your satisfaction . 3,595
Mint State Amiable Face 1794 S-30 1794 S-30. MS-60 BN (PCGS). Lustrous medium brown surfaces. Well struck and very attractive. Dr. Edward Maris called this the Amiable Face variety; Miss Liberty seems to be smiling. An ex¬ traordinary specimen . 7,950
1794 S-32. VF-25. Late die state. Two scratches on
obverse. Excellent design details . 1,095
1794 S-32. F-15 . 595
Famous “Starred Reverse” 1794
1794 S-48. R-5. Starred reverse. G-5. The most
famous of all 1794 cent varieties, indeed, per¬ haps the most famous of all large cents. Around the reverse rim is a circle of 94 five-pointed stars. On this specimen 28 of the stars are vis¬ ible around the reverse rims. Attractive light brown surfaces . 8,950
1795 S-76b. Plain edge. ONE CENT high in wreath.
F-12. Light brown surfaces . 450
1795 S-76b. Plain edge. ONE CENT high in wreath.
VG-10 with claims to Fine . 325
1797 S-120-b. F-15. Light brown surfaces. Well struck. A nice example of the variety and grade . 525
Splendid AU 1800/79 Cent 1800/79 S-196. AU-53 (PCGS). Glossy medium brown surfaces with some lustrous brown mint frost, especially on the reverse. A superb strike with excellent definition of details. Final 0 in date higher than on the other overdates of this year; thus, definitive . 4,750
1802 S-232. EF40. Curious die blunder with T cut
over Y in LIBERTY. A very pleasing coin. Ad¬ vanced reverse rim cud above ATE in STATES. A tiny planchet flaw is noted on the obverse rim at 12:00 . 695
1803 S-260. Small date. EF45 (PCGS). Attractive
brown surfaces. Ideal for the variety specialist as well as the type set collector . 865
Memorable 1803 S-262 Rarity
1803 S-262. Small date. VF-20. Rarity 6. A splen¬
did specimen of one of the rarer issues of its era. Light brown surfaces. Small scratch from fraction to left wreath ribbon. Condition Census. An im¬ portant opportunity for the specialist. Just purchased . 2,295
1804 MS-64 BN (NGC). Restrike. A very attractive
specimen of this storied variety . 850
1804 S-266. VG-10. The “king” of 19th century large cent dates. Perfect obverse and reverse dies. Sharpness of VF but with some light porosity. A bold, very desirable specimen of this important
issue. Just acquired . 1,095
1806 S-270. EF-40 (PCGS). A splendid specimen of one of the key dates of its era; the only die variety of this year. Medium brown surfaces. A handsome addition to an advanced cabinet 1,750
1808 S-278. VF-20. Light brown . 525
1814 F-12 BN (NGC). Medium brown surfaces. A
very attractive coin . . . 195
1817 Newcomb-16. 15 Stars. AU-55. Net value AU-50, as it is somewhat more lightly struck than usual around the top borders. Glossy, lustrous brown surfaces. The reverse, if graded alone,
would challenge the MS-60 level . 1,250
1817 N-16. 15 Stars. EF45 . 725
1817 N-16. 15 Stars. EF40 (NGC) . 525
1819 N-10. EF45 obverse, AU-55 reverse. Highly
glossy and lustrous surfaces. A prize item for the variety specialist . 595
1820 N4. Rarity4+. VF-20. Small, evenly-spaced
date. Few minor nicks . 195
1821 N-l. EF-40 BN (NGC). A sharp and very at¬ tractive specimen of this important date. .. 1,295
1821 N-2. EF-40. Glossy olive-brown with very mi¬ nor marks . 1,150
1821 N-2. VF-35. Actually EF40 but with a few marks. Very sharply defined and extremely attrac¬ tive. Light brown surfaces. If you have been seeking an exceptional 1821, your search ends
here! . 735
1823 N-2. VF-25. Light brown. A very pleasing speci-
Ilie Coin Collector 1 September 11, 1995
3
men of the most highly prized date of the late (1816-1857) series . 975
1827 N-l. Rarity-2+. VF-35. Scarce variety. Glossy brown surfaces . 295
1827 N4. Rarity-2+. AU-55. Glossy light brown sur¬ faces . 795
1827 N-ll. MS-63 BN. Attractive, lustrous light tan surfaces fading from mint red . 2,250
1827 N-ll. VF-30 . 225
1828 N-ll. VF-35 . 185
1832 N-3. AU-58 BN (NGC). Beautiful light brown
surfaces. Just purchased . 325
1833 N-5. Homed 8. MS63 BN (PCGS). An attractive, lustrous specimen that will please the variety spe¬ cialist as well as the date or type collector. ... 795
1835 N-ll. Rarity-5. Small Date, Small Stars. G-5. Sel¬
dom found in any grade . 295
1838 N-l. AU-55 . 225
1839 N-6. MS-63 BN (PCGS). Booby Head. Attrac¬ tive medium brown with deep maroon . 1,850
1839 N-7. MS-63. Booby Head. Lustrous golden
brown surfaces. Scarce and desirable so fine.2,150 1841 N-3. MS-62. Golden brown surfaces. Sharply struck. Most of the design features show bold defi¬ nition, with the exception of some of the obverse stars. The obverse shows a small rim scrape at the 2:00 position. In the Condition Census for the va¬ riety. Check it out on approval, and you’ll like it;
satisfaction guaranteed! . 625
1844 N-l. EF40 . 95
1845 N-15. Rarity-3 +. AU-50 (PCGS) . 275
1846 N-6. Small Date. EF-45. Repunched 6 in
date . 115
1846 N-6. Small Date. VF-20. Repunched 6 in
date . 25
1847 N-10. VF-35 . 99
1847 N-ll. MS-60. Sharply struck, lustrous brown
surfaces. Outstanding! . 595
1847 N-24. MS-63 BN. Lustrous medium brown sur¬ faces . 365
1847 N-28. VF-30 . 85
1847 N-38. VF-20 . 29
1847 N-39. Rarity-3. EF40 . 99
1848 N-l. EF45 . 135
1848 N-2. EF40 . 85
1848 N-3. VF-35 . 69
1848 N-8. Rarity-3. VF-25 . 49
1848 N-9. VF-35 . 75
1848 N-12. VF-25 . 39
1848 N-13. Rarity4+. VF-25 . 55
1848 N-17. VF-25 . 39
1848 N-22. AU-55 (PCGS) . 235
1848 N-22. EF45 . 139
1848 N-23. Rarity-3+. EF45 . 210
1848 N-23. Rarity-3+. VF-35 . 119
1848 N-24. VF-35 . 165
1848 N-25. VF-35 . 115
1848 N-25. VF-30 . 85
1848 N-2 7. EF45 . 159
1848 N-27. VF-35. 79
1848 N-27. VF-30 . 65
1848 N-27. VF-25 . 39
1848 N-28. VF-30 . 55
1848 N-29. Rarity-3-. VF-35 . 95
1848 N-29. Rarity-3-. VF-30 . 69
1848 N-31. EF40 . 149
1848 N-34. Rarity-5+. F-12 . 85
1848 N-35. EF40 . . . 105
1848 N-37. Rarity-5. VF-35 . 265
1848 N-38. Rarity4. VF-25 . 75
1848 N-39. Rarity-6-. VF-20 . 210
1848 N41. AU-50 . 265
1848 N41. VF-30 . 65
1848 N42. Rarity-6. G-5 . 65
1849 N-2. AU-58 . 425
1849 N-8. Doubled Die reverse. MS-64 BN . 895
1849 N-14. VF-20 . 35
1849 N-17. Rarity4. EF40 . 145
1849 N-29. VF-25 . . 39
1850 N-l. AU-50 . 135
1850 EF40 . 69
1850 N-l. VF-30 . 35
1850 N-6. EF40 . 75
1850 N-ll. EF40 . 135
1850 N-21. MS-65 BN (NGC). Lovely tan with ample
mint red. The centering is excellent and the lus¬ tre full. A nice candidate for the date, type or
variety collector . 825
1850 N-22. Rarity4. EF40 . 119
1851 AU-50 . 135
1851 EF40 . 69
1851 VF-35 . 42
1851 VF-30 . 35
1851 N-2. MS-65 BN (NGC). Glossy brown . 695
1851 N-6. MS63 BN (NGC) . 235
1851 N-14. VF-35 . 49
1852 N-l. EF40 . 69
1852 N-8. AU-50. . . 135
1852 N-14. EF45 . 99
1852 N-16. AU-50 . 115
1852 N-22. EF45 . 89
1853 AU-55 . 159
1853 AU-50 . 135
1853 EF45 . 75
1853 VF-30 . 35
1853 VF-20 . 29
1853 N-10. EF45 . 95
1853 N-16. VF-20 . I . 32
1853 N-24. AU-50 . 135
1853 N-25. VF-30 . 35
1854 N6. AU-58 BN (NGC) . 195
1855 N4. Upright 5. VF-20 . 29
1855 N-5. Rarity-5. Upright 5. EF40 . 165
1855 N6. Upright 55. EF40 . 95
1855 N-9. Italic (slanting) 55, Knob on ear. AU-50. 260 1855 N-9. Italic 55, Knob on ear. EF40 . 140
1855 N-9. Italic 55, Knob on ear. VF-30 . 85
1856 Slanting 5. EF40 . 59
1856 Upright 5. EF40 . 59
1856 N-18. Slanted 5. VF-20 . 29
1856 N-l 9. Slanted 5. VF-20 . 29
1857 N-l. Large Date. MS-64 BN (PCGS). Light
brown lustrous surfaces with some hints of origi¬ nal mint red . 825
1857 Small Date. MS-63 BN. Scarce at all grade lev¬ els. Quite inexpensive on today’s market, in our opinion . '.. . 395
1857 N4. Small Date. AU-50. A lovely specimen of this low-mintage date . 195
B isi 3NE 14 € l&gflcsff f j
SMALL CENTS
Indian Head Cents
1859 MS-64. Brilliant lustrous. First year of issue; the only year with the laurel wreath reverse de¬ sign . 795
1859 MS-64 (NGC). Warm light toning. Just pur¬ chased . 795
1860 MS-64. Brilliant. New oak wreath reverse
type . 295
1860 MS63 (PCGS). Brilliant . 195
Superb Gem Proof 1862 Cent 1862 Proof-66 (PCGS). A breathtakingly beautiful, truly outstanding gem. There are not many cop¬ per-nickel cents in existence of anydate to match
this one! Listed here for the first time! . 3,450
1862 Proof-65 (NGC). A superb gem specimen of this Civil War date. A glittering, mirror Proof that will please the most discriminating buyer. Very rare so fine! . 1,895
1862 MS-60. Minor planchet split visible when
viewed edge-on; interesting! . 110
1863 MS-65. Lustrous . 625
1863 MS-64. Brilliant . 275
1863 MS-63 (NGC) . 165
1864 Copper-nickel. MS-64 (PCGS). Brilliant. . 319
1864 Copper-nickel. MS-62 (PCGS) . 165
1864 Bronze MS-65 RD (NGC) . 750
1864 Bronze. MS-65 RD (PCGS). Brilliant, lus¬ trous . 750
1864 Bronze. MS-65 RB (NGC). Nearly full red. Very
lustrous. Beautiful! . 395
1864 L on Ribbon. MS-65 RB (NGC). Brilliant nearly full original red surfaces with very little brown. A prize among our recent purchases. First order owns it for . 1,395
1864 L on Ribbon. MS-64 RB (NGC). More red than
brown. A very high quality specimen . 795
1865 MS-64 RD (PCGS) . 495
1865 MS-64 RB. So-called “Fancy 5” in date. . 159
1866 MS-65 RB (NGC). Mostly brilliant red with light
brown nicely blended . . . 895
1866 MS-65 RB (PCGS). An attractive specimen;
quite rare in this high grade . 895
1867 MS-65 RB (NGC) . 795
1867 Repunched 7 in date. MS-63 BN (PCCS).595 1867 MS-62 RB (PCGS) . . . 295
1867 MS-60. Glossy light brown with a few hints of
red . 250
1868 MS-65 RB (NGC) . 875
1868 MS-65 RB (PCGS). Scarce so fine . 875
1868 MS-65 BN (NGC). Not easy to find at this grade
level . . . 750
1868 MS-64 RD (NGC). A splendid specimen, a
highlight of our recent purchases . 1,395
1868 EF45 . 129
1868 EF40 . 119
1869/9 Repunched date. MS-60 . 575
1869/9 AU-50 (with ANA certificate for grade and
authenticity) . 525
1869 MS-65 RB (NGC). Lustrous. Scarce so
fine . 1,195
1869 MS-64 RB (NGC). This has more red on it than many called full red! . 975
1869 MS-64 RB (PCGS) . 975
1870 MS-65 RB (NGC). Mostly red surfaces have hints of iridescent toning on the high points. A splendid gem example of this scarce date. 1,195
1870 Snow-7. MS-65 RB (PCGS). Mostly red. “Pick-Axe’’ variety, doubled die reverse (we charge no premium for this interesting feature)... 1,195
1870 MS-64 RB (ANACS Cache) . 695
1870 MS64 BN (PCGS). Lustrous . 675
1870 MS-63 RB (PCGS) . 595
1871 MS-65 RB (NGC). A splendid coin, nearly full
(80% to 90%) original mint red. Extraordinarily dif¬ ficult to find this grade . 1,395
1871 MS-64 BN (NGC). A satiny brown gem with some splashes of mint red on both sides. Beauti¬ ful! . 725
1871 MS-61 BN. Rare . 525
1872 MS-63 BN. An attractive key date issue. 725 1872 MS-62 BN (ANACS Cache). Rich, lustrous
brown surfaces . 639
1872 VF-30 . 329
1872 VF-20. Light brown . 319
1873 Closed 3. MS-64 RB (PCGS). Highly lustrous.
Rare so fine! . 1,280
1873 Open 3. MS65 BN (PCGS) . 595
1873 Open 3 EF40 . 110
1874 MS-65 RB (NGC) . 475
1874 MS-65 BN (NGC). Lustrous brown surfaces
with tinges of original mint red . 395
1874 MS-64 RB (PCGS). Mostly red . 345
1874 MS-63 RB . 250
1874 MS-63 BN (NGC) . 225
1874 EF40 . 89
1876 MS-65 RB. Centennial year issue . 625
1876 MS-64 RD (PCCS). A blazing gem . 950
1876 MS-60 BN . 219
“Your Friends in the Rare Coin Business”
ABOUT BOWERS AND MERENA GALLERIES
Our objective is to provide you with the quality coins you desire at prices you will find to be reasonable. Each coin from this issue of The Coin Collector comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee [7 days for certified coins]. We guarantee you'll find every coin to be exactly to your liking, or you can return it; no explanation necessary.
By treating our clients as we ourselves would like to be treated, we have built what is probably the most successful rare coin dealership in America today. Since our founding in 1953, we have handled a large share of the finest private and museum collections and rarities to come on the market. Our catalogues and other publications have won more Catalogue of the Year Award and Book of the Year Award honors than have those of any other firm.
Our chairman, Q. David Bowers, has served as president of the American Numismatic Association (1983-1985) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (1977-1979), and has received numismatics' highest honors including the Numismatic Ambassador Award, the A.N.A. Hall of Fame, the Farran Zerbe Award, and the P.N.G. Founders' Award.
Our staff numismatists, including Dr. Richard A. Bagg, Mark Borckardt, Andrew W. Pollock III, Frank Van Valen, and others, have had distinguished careers for many years.
In my own career I have tried to make a difference in the hobby, and have given numerous seminars and talks, currently serve as president of the Professional Numismatists Guild, and am active in quite a few other areas. I am enthusiastic about coins, about our fine organization, and about having you as a client.
From our headquarters in Wolfeboro, NH, deep in the heart of New England, we are a prime source of choice, rare, and desirable coins for collectors, dealers, and museums in all parts of the world. In addition, we conduct public auction sales in New York City, Baltimore, Los Angeles, and other leading metropolitan centers.
Let us help you build a truly beautiful rare coin collection. Discover Bowers and Merena, and we'll do our very best to have you discover a new world of numismatic enjoyment.
— Raymond N. Merena, President
Beautiful 1877 Rarity 1877 MS-63 BN (NGC). A sharply struck, beauti¬ ful specimen of the key issue in the series.
Attractive medium brown fields . 2,795
1877 VG-8 (ANACS Cache) . 419
1878 MS-65 BN (NGC). Tinges of red . 435
1878 MS-64 RB. Prooflike . 375
1878 MS-63 BN (PCGS) . 265
1878 EF45 . ! . 115
1879 Proof-64 RB . 235
1879 MS-65 RB. Mostly red. Beautiful! . 329
1879 MS-65 BN . 275
1879 MS-65 BN (NGC). Generous amounts of mint
red on lustrous surfaces . 275
1880 MS-65 RB . 295
1880 MS-64 RB (NGC) . 175
1880 MS-64 BN . 135
1881 Proof-64 RB .