1
63
bid online at
(800) 978-COIN (2646)
|
Session Two - Sunday, June 1, 2014 Approx 12:00 PM
G
EM
U
NC
1837 L
IBERTY
S
EATED
D
IME
Enlargement
331
1837. Small Date
.
NGC graded MS-66
. Well struck and
untoned.
Pop 2; 2 finer in 67
.
Estimated Value .................................... $10,000 - 11,000
L
OVELY
N
O
D
RAPERY
D
IME
332
1839. No drapery
.
NGC graded MS-66.
CAC
Approved
. Well struck and nice toning. Unstoppable luster
erupts stealthily beneath the lovely toned highlights, while
gusts of color form an aura from the edge to the center of
the design elements on both sides of this satiny, near pris-
tine gem. The strike is strong as on most 1839 No Drapery
Seated Dimes with outstanding stars, shield, and wreath
definition. A much beloved, delicately proportioned and ele-
gant three-year Type.
(Late in 1840, Mint Director Robert Maskell Patterson
ordered that the dimes and half dimes follow the silver dol-
lars in adopting the new Robert Ball Hughes modified
effigy. Like its smaller and larger counterparts, this new
portrait has fatter arms, larger head, no de collete, flatter
contours concealed by bulkier drapery for "respectability,"
smaller rock, shield upright with enlarged scroll, and what
the Breen encyclopedia scorns as the “useless cloak or
himation over her elbow, making her pose extremely
uncomfortable.”)
Pop 10; 9 finer, 7 in 67, 2 in 68.
(
PCGS # 4571
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $4,500 - 4,700
333
1840. No Drapery
.
PCGS graded MS-65
. Lovely golden ton-
ing with original dusky patina spread throughout the sleek sur-
face. Satin surfaces that are almost frosted with pleasant,
underlying perfection. Another scarce early Dime from this con-
signment, this too, displays a precision strike on the stars, leg-
ends and main device, which is always appreciated for the date,
the last use of the No Drapery Liberty devices. The only trace of
soft detail at the rim dentils.
Pop 5; 11 finer, 2 in 65+, 7 in
66, 2 in 67
. (
PCGS # 4573
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$3,300 - 3,400
334
1853. Arrows
.
PCGS graded MS-66
. Well struck and fully
white. This is a coin with the stopping power of a freigh train, a
blast-white MS66 that no top-quality Type set should be with-
out. The technical quality is nothing short of Superb with only
the lightest ticks widely scattered over generally smooth-looking
features keeping it from MS67 quality. The overall appearance is
uncommonly pristine for the Type, and fully intact mint luster is
also worthy of praise. More-or-less silvery white iridescence
yields to heavier frost in select areas around the designs.
Sharply struck throughout with eye appeal to spare.
The 1853 Arrows dime as a three-year type in the Seated series
of 1837-1891. Obverse arrow were added to the design that
year to denote a weight reduction for this denomination per the
Coinage Act of 1853. (In addition to the arrows, rays were
added to quarter dollars and half dollars, marking the weight
change for them as well.) Survivors of the 1853-P delivery are
easily obtainable in most grades, although we stress that high-
quality Mint State examples are scarce-to-rare in the market.
Clearly, the present lot deserves careful consideration among
advanced type collectors.
Pop 34; 20 finer, 1 in 66+, 15 in
67, 3 in 68, 1 in 68+
. (
PCGS # 4603
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$3,000 - 3,200
R
ARE
P
ROOF
1855 L
IBERTY
S
EATED
D
IME
Enlargement
335
1855 Arrows
.
NGC graded Proof 65
. Only 25 minted.
Lovely blue toning on both sides. An important Type that is
seldom found in Gem Proof grades, and especially rare this
spectacular. Toned to a fair-thee-well with rich iridescent
blue on the obverse and reverse including a few lavender to
add even more substance. Superbly struck and preserved,
with traces of hairlines (scarcely noticeable) and no han-
dling marks. Estimates range up to 25 Proofs being struck,
and NGC has graded 5 this high, with none higher, there-
fore tied at the high end and strictly near or at the very top
of the Condition Census for Proof 1855 With Arrows. A date
which is seldom offered at auction, and worth a premium
for its radiant, colorful toning.
Pop 5; none finer at NGC
.
After three years running from 1853 to 1855, in 1856, Mint
Director Eckert's replacement, James Ross Snowden,
directed the arrows be removed from the coinage, as very
little of the old-tenor pieces which had been withdrawn and
melted to strike these With Arrows pieces, remained in cir-
culation. Seated Liberty dimes continued to be struck at the
Philadelphia and New Orleans Mints as well as at the newly
built San Francisco Mint until 1892, when the design type
was replaced by Charles E. Barber’s Liberty Head.
Estimated Value .................................... $19,000 - 20,000
