168
|
Session Two - Monday, January 26, 2015 10:00 am
R
ARE
M
INT
S
TATE
1916 D
OUBLED
D
IE
O
BVERSE
N
ICKEL
Enlargement
1119
1916. Doubled Die Obverse
.
NGC graded MS-63 PQ.
CAC APPROVED.
A well-known, eagerly sought variety in the ever-popular Buf-
falo nickel series, the 1916/16 Doubled Die Obverse is also a rare coin that is elusive at all levels of preservation. The first published report of
this mint error came in the July 1962 issue of The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine. The 46 years that elapsed since this report and the
error's minting was sufficient to efface the date area and, hence, the most prominent doubling on many examples. Furthermore, many of
those pieces that retain bold definition in the date area are still worn to at least some extent, and it is a rare event indeed when the collector
or investor is presented with the opportunity to purchase a solid Select Mint State survivor of this important 20th Century mint error.
The coin itself is luminous with some streaky deep reddish-russet toning over both sides. The Doubled Die feature is crystal clear and easily
visible to the unaided eye. It is strongly appealing despite wispy abrasions and a flyspeck southeast of the portrait's chin, and the strike is
decent, if a trifle soft on the bison's shoulder. An important and rare Mint State survivor of this cherished variant.
Pop 5; 5 finer, 4 in 64, 1
in 64+.
Estimated Value ........................................................................................................................................................$120,000 - 130,000
1120
1918-D, 8 over 7
.
NGC graded Good-6
.
Estimated Value ................................................... $750 - 800
1121
1918-D, 8 over 7 PCGS graded Genuine Fine Details
.
Environmental Damage. A scarce overdate with the top of the 8
in the date extending halfway up into the horizontal bar of an
underlying 7. As indicated by the grade, the surfaces are a
steel-gray color with charcoal-russet encrustations in the
recesses of the design on each side. The surfaces are also
somewhat pitted, possibly from having been buried for some
time. Still, a respectable example of this popular overdate.
(
PCGS # 3939
)
Estimated Value ................................................... $700 - 750
N
ICELY
T
ONED
G
EM
1923-S B
UFFALO
N
ICKEL
1122
1923-S
.
PCGS graded MS-65 PQ.
CAC APPROVED.
Although possessed of a relatively low-mintage of 6.1 mil-
lion pieces, examples of the 1923-S can be obtained with
little waiting through the Choice BU numeric designations.
That said, a Gem, like that in the present lot, is seldom
seen on today's market, with most pieces kept from the
full-Gem rating by striking incompleteness. We have no
doubt that this piece, every bit the Gem, is destined for a
premier set in the series. A highly attractive veneer of ice-
blue, crimson, and antique-gold runs over the lustrous sur-
faces of this lovely Gem. The design elements are well
impressed, including the date, mintmark, and bison's hair.
Close inspection reveals no mentionable marks or spots.
Pop 45; 5 finer, 2 in 65+, 3 in 66.
(
PCGS # 3950
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $7,500 - 8,000
