U.S. Coin Rarities Lead Suite of Heritage's Sept. 2008 Long Beach Signature® Auctions An O-101 1796 15 Stars half dollar (Lot 2018), certified AU58 by PCGS is joined by many other gold and silver rarities in Heritage's Long Beach Signature® Auction, being held Sept 17-21, 2008.
undoubtedly the most strikingly obvious and interesting error we have ever handled, all the more fascinating because it circulated for decades without notice.
http://www.HA.com/1116-350017&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3269: 1846-C $2.50 MS62 NGC. Winter 7-F.
The 1846-C is a very scarce coin in any grade with only 4,808 pieces struck, and high grade examples are especially difficult. Only four or five pieces are believed known in Mint State. From The Mississippi Collection.
http://www.HA.com/1116-5122&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3351: 1875 $2.50 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC.
Since both business strikes and proofs of the 1875 quarter eagle are low-mintage issues, at 400 pieces and 20 specimens respectively, the already-small population of proof survivors faces added pressure from numismatists seeking a business-strike substitute. None certified finer.
http://www.HA.com/1116-5029&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3353: 1898 $2.50 PR67 Star Ultra Cameo NGC.
From an original mintage of just 165 specimens, it is estimated that between 80 and 100 examples still exist, of which few equal this marvelous specimen.
http://www.HA.com/1116-395016&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3421: 1909 $2.50 Roman Finish PR65 NGC.
The unpopular matte proof format used in 1908 for gold coinage was modified in 1909 to the so-called Roman (or Satin) Finish, a bit brighter.
http://www.HA.com/1116-408001&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3440: 1869 5C Five Cents, Judd-688, Pollock-769, High R.7, PR66 PCGS.
One of just three known in Aluminum, an incredibly rare metal at the time.
Struck in copper with a reeded edge, the stella's gilt overlay is nicely done, with no apparent flakes or prominent blemishes.
http://www.HA.com/1116-292004&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3570: 1879 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, PR64 Star Cameo NGC.
The four dollar denomination is likely the oddest and most curious denomination in American numismatics, and is much beloved for this and the wondrous design. From The Laredo Collection.
The 1879 four dollar stella is often considered the most popular gold pattern of all time, except for those who collect them as part of the regular coinage as well!
http://www.HA.com/1116-108002&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3573: 1795 $5 Small Eagle AU55 PCGS. Breen-6412, BD-3, High R.3.
Varieties BD-2, BD-3, and BD-4 show overlapping obverse stars 11 and 12, and star 11 over the Y of LIBERTY, while the reverse wreath of BD-2 and BD-3 each have four berries. From The Menlo Park Collection.
http://www.HA.com/1116-367013&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3574: 1795 $5 Small Eagle AU55 NGC. Breen-6412, BD-4, R.5.
A number of diagnostics easily identify this variety. All of the 1795 Small Eagles are important as the first gold coins struck by the U.S. Mint.
http://www.HA.com/1116-292003&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3575: 1795 $5 Small Eagle MS62 NGC. Breen-6412, BD-1, R.5.
This coin is of immense historical importance; it is a high-grade specimen of the first U.S. gold coinage - an odds-on favorite as the first of the 12 different varieties of 1795 Small Eagle struck. From The Laredo Collection.
http://www.HA.com/1116-395001&type=prte-pr090108a
Lot 3577: 1799 $5 Large Stars Reverse MS61 NGC. CAC. BD-5, R.5.
Only two of the nine known die varieties of 1799 half eagles had large stars on
