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Free Appraisal
1870-S $3 SP50 -- 893 Engraved -- PCGS. Unique.
(PCGS# 7992)
Auction 1355
| Lot: 9013 | Jan 5, 2023
Sold For:
$5,520,000.00
1870-S H10C MS64 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 4397)
Auction 1356
| Lot: 3341 | Jan 11, 2023
Sold For:
$3,120,000.00
1854-S $5 XF45 PCGS.
(PCGS# 8260)
Auction 1333
| Lot: 3433 | Aug 22, 2021
Sold For:
$2,400,000.00
1894-S 10C Branch Mint PR66 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 4805)
Auction 1380
| Lot: 4307 | Jan 19, 2025
Sold For:
$2,160,000.00
1855-S $3 PR64 Cameo PCGS. CAC. JD-1, unique as a proof.
Auction 1357
| Lot: 3671 | Feb 9, 2023
Sold For:
$2,160,000.00
1854-S $5 XF45 NGC.
(PCGS# 8260)
Auction 1278
| Lot: 5248 | Aug 16, 2018
Sold For:
$2,160,000.00
1894-S 10C Branch Mint PR66 PCGS Secure. CAC.
(PCGS# 4805)
Auction 1231
| Lot: 5317 | Jan 11, 2016
Sold For:
$1,997,500.00
1920-S $10 MS67 PCGS.
This is an astonishingly beautiful and Superb example of this famous 20th century rarity. It is the h...
Auction 432
| Lot: 2134 | Mar 16, 2007
Sold For:
$1,725,000.00
1894-S 10C Branch Mint PR66 PCGS.
(PCGS# 4805)
Auction 1310
| Lot: 10055 | Sep 17, 2020
Sold For:
$1,500,000.00
Make Offer to Owner
$2,250,000 or more
1855-S $3 PR64 Cameo NGC. CAC.
(PCGS# 8054)
Auction 1158
| Lot: 7487 | Aug 14, 2011
Sold For:
$1,322,500.00
1894-S 10C PR65 PCGS.
As one of the "Big Three" of American numismatics, along with the 1913 Liberty nickel and the 1804 silver dollar, acquisition of this rarity has long been regarded as a pinnacle of collecting.
Of these three rarities, only the 1894-S dime was officially listed in Mint Reports at the time of issue.
This is one of the finest known 1894-S Barber dimes, and is the single most important example from a historical perspective. Only three of the nine currently known examples have been described as Gem quality. The Eliasberg Collection coin was described in the May 1996 sale as Proof 65; however, that coin has reportedly been dipped at least twice since the sale. The Eliasberg duplicate, sold by Stack's in 1947, is graded PR66 by NGC, but despite the grade, it is the coin that Eliasberg considered his duplicate, thus is probably no finer than the coin he kept.
In our opinion, this coin is equal to the primary Eliasberg coin retained for his collection, and these two are the two finest examples. Both of these coins are superior to the Eliasberg duplicate that was sold by Stack's in 1947, despite its higher certified grade.
Why were there only 24 dimes struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1894? This question has been asked by numismatists for many years. And why were they all struck as Proofs? Several theories over the years have tried to explain the mintage of these coins.
One of the early theories suggested that these 24 coins were simply struck to balance the books in 1894, as reported in the April 1928 issue of
The Numismatist.
This theory was related by Farran Zerbe who claims that the information was given to him at the San Francisco Mint in 1905:
"To close a bullion account at the San Francisco Mint at the end of the fiscal year, June 30th, 1894, it was found necessary to show 40 cents, odd, in the year's coinage. The mint not having coined any dimes during the year, the dime dies were put to work, an
(PCGS# 4805)
Auction 360
| Lot: 30164 | Jan 15, 2005
Sold For:
$1,035,000.00
1924-S $20 MS67 PCGS.
(PCGS# 9179)
Auction 1348
| Lot: 3415 | Aug 28, 2022
Sold For:
$930,000.00
1870-S $1 XF40 NGC.
(PCGS# 6965)
Auction 1104
| Lot: 2129 | Apr 19, 2008
Sold For:
$805,000.00
1870-S $1 XF40 PCGS.
(PCGS# 6965)
Auction 1201
| Lot: 5295 | Jan 12, 2014
Sold For:
$763,750.00
1927-S $20 MS67 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 9188)
Auction 1385
| Lot: 3539 | Aug 31, 2025
Sold For:
$690,000.00
1920-S $20 MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 9171)
Auction 1344
| Lot: 4086 | May 8, 2022
Sold For:
$600,000.00
1920-S $20 MS66 PCGS Secure. CAC.
(PCGS# 9171)
Auction 1166
| Lot: 4629 | Jan 8, 2012
Sold For:
$575,000.00
1920-S $20 MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 9171)
Auction 1348
| Lot: 3409 | Aug 28, 2022
Sold For:
$564,000.00
1854-S $2 1/2 XF45 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 7773)
Auction 1390
| Lot: 3196 | Jan 17, 2026
Sold For:
$561,200.00
1892-S $1 MS67+ PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 7218)
Auction 1348
| Lot: 3971 | Aug 28, 2022
Sold For:
$552,000.00
1893-S $1 MS67 NGC.
(PCGS# 7226)
Auction 1158
| Lot: 7332 | Aug 14, 2011
Sold For:
$546,250.00
1920-S $20 MS66 PCGS.
Eliasberg/Duckor. Because of the unparalleled quality of this extremely rare Saint-Gaudens twenty, we have to wonder if this piece was obtained directly from the mint and was one of the coins used by members of the Assay Commission. There is no direct evidence to indicate this, but Roger Burdette uncovered a series of letters from Dr. Thomas Louis Comparette to George Godard, Librarian of Connecticut and the person responsible for updating the Joseph P. Mitchelson Collection that had been donated to the state in 1911. Comparette actually admitted his actions were "irregular" and today we would probably say they amounted to insider trading. In a letter to Godard dated March 1, 1921, Comparette wrote: "Here are two eagles struck at the San Francisco mint in 1920. With some difficulty I was able to secure four specimens from the pyx, of which I send you these, one for your collection, the other for [Connecticut State] Senator Hall..." A year earlier Comparette wrote to Godard about double eagles: "Herewith I am sending you a [1920] Twenty Dollar gold piece, just struck. It is for the Reserve Funds and not to be issued for general circulation, and the securing of the specimens for others than the government collection is probably irregular, so please do not let the fact become public knowledge. For others will demand specimens as soon as they learn that a few are out."
We do not know and cannot know 85 years after the fact if this coin was a part of Comparette's "irregular" dealings with Godard, and possibly others. However, it seems a reasonable speculation given the extraordinary condition of the coin and its presence in the Eliasberg Collection, who purchased John Clapp's collection intact in 1942, and Clapp obtained many turn-of-the-century coins directly from the mint. Did Clapp also have access to Comparette and Assay Commission coins?
The 1920-S is a rarely-seen double eagle. When found, most examples are in the AU58-MS62 grade range with very fe
(PCGS# 9171)
Auction 392
| Lot: 6641 | Nov 3, 2005
Sold For:
$517,500.00
1920-S $20 MS65 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 9171)
Auction 1241
| Lot: 5628 | Nov 2, 2016
Sold For:
$517,000.00
1870-S $1 XF40 PCGS.
(PCGS# 6965)
Auction 1228
| Lot: 98571 | May 12, 2015
Sold For:
$505,250.00
1943-S 1C Struck on a Bronze Planchet MS63 Brown PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 82715)
Auction 1321
| Lot: 3009 | Nov 19, 2020
Sold For:
$504,000.00
Make Offer to Owner
$756,000 or more
1870-S $1 XF40 PCGS.
(PCGS# 6965)
Auction 1124
| Lot: 2581 | May 3, 2009
Sold For:
$503,125.00
1908-S $20 MS67+ PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 9149)
Auction 1356
| Lot: 3924 | Jan 12, 2023
Sold For:
$480,000.00
1870-S $1 XF40 NGC.
(PCGS# 6965)
Auction 1216
| Lot: 4173 | Jan 12, 2015
Sold For:
$470,000.00
1892-S $1 MS67 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7218)
Auction 1121
| Lot: 5012 | Jan 11, 2009
Sold For:
$460,000.00
1915-S 50C Panama-Pacific Set.
An incredible, original Pan-Pac set with invoices going back to 1915 and related paraphernalia. Included are:
1915-S Half Dollar MS66 NGC.
Rich, satiny mint luster is overlaid on the obverse with rose and golden color that deepens to sea-green around the margin. The reverse is deeply toned in charcoal and cobalt-blue colors. An extraordinary half dollar.
1915-S Gold Dollar NGC.
Double punched mintmark. The velvety, frosted surfaces are overlaid with thick reddish-golden coloration that shows just a touch of lilac here and there. Technically and visually, one of the finest gold dollars we have seen in recent memory.
1915-S Quarter Eagle MS66 NGC.
Myriad die polishing marks are seen in the fields on each side and the surfaces are an untampered bright green-gold and canary-yellow. Sharply struck and almost perfectly preserved.
1915-S Round Fifty Dollar MS66 NGC.
Generally these large-size coins are not found with this level of preservation and mint luster. As a rule, light handling over the decades has slightly dulled the surfaces and the coins have picked up a stray contact mark or two. This is an absolutely splendid coin. The surfaces have rich, frosted mint luster; in fact, we were not aware that these coins originally came with a finish like this until we saw this original set. Considerable reddish patina overlays each side and there are no mentionable abrasions.
1915-S Octagonal Fifty Dollar MS65 NGC.
The always-popular octagonal fifty is unique in the annals of U.S. coinage with dolphins set in the angles on each side. These decorative motifs have symbolic significance, of course, like everything else on these well-designed coins. The dolphins represent freedom of movement through the oceans, a design element that is of particular significance as the reason for striking these pieces was to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal the previous year. Rarely are Ge
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 388
| Lot: 2497 | Nov 5, 2005
Sold For:
$445,625.00
1893-S $1 MS63 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 7226)
Auction 1371
| Lot: 4155 | Jan 14, 2024
Sold For:
$444,000.00
Make Offer to Owner
$650,000 or more
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1348
| Lot: 4176 | Aug 28, 2022
Sold For:
$432,000.00
1920-S $10 MS66 PCGS.
Auction 1121
| Lot: 3527 | Jan 11, 2009
Sold For:
$431,250.00
1870-S $1 XF40 NGC.
(PCGS# 6965)
Auction 1241
| Lot: 5345 | Nov 2, 2016
Sold For:
$423,000.00
1870-S $1 XF40 NGC. OC-1, Low R.7.
(PCGS# 6965)
Auction 1356
| Lot: 3766 | Jan 12, 2023
Sold For:
$420,000.00
1944-S 1C Struck on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet MS66 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 82731)
Auction 1333
| Lot: 3002 | Aug 22, 2021
Sold For:
$408,000.00
1920-S $10 MS66 PCGS.
This year marked the first production of gold coinage since 1916. From the time 126,500 eagles were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1920, they were considered one of the rarest of all 20th century ten dollar gold coins. Evidently, nearly all were exported in commercial trade, or held in Treasury vaults and eventually melted in the 1930s. No hoards have ever turned up and the coin remains very rare to this day.
T. Louis Comparette, curator of the Philadelphia Mint coin collection, was an important conduit of new coins for the Connecticut State Library's Mitchelson Collection and a few other institutions. Although specimens struck in Philadelphia were usually available with little difficulty, pieces from the other mints were available only from the pyx coins reserved for use of the Annual Assay Commission. (Collectors could usually purchase issued coins directly from each mint, but the quality of specimens was often well below the pyx coins.) On March 1, 1921, Comparette sent George Godard, the Connecticut State Librarian, two of the San Francisco eagles.
"Here are two eagles struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1920. With some difficulty I was able to secure four specimens from the pyx, of which I send you these, one for your collections, the other for Sen. Hall, whose interests I am still willing to assist, though he will not answer my letters."
One of these was acquired by Godard from the estate of Connecticut State Senator William Henry Hall, whose personal collection included the duplicates sent by Comparette. It was sold by Stack's with Godard's personal collection in 1982. The other remains in the Mitchelson Collection. The Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection includes an example that was likely a third coin saved from the pyx.
The fact that individual specimens of this issue are so easily traced underscores the absolute rarity of the 1920-S. This particular coin last appeared in the extraordinary collection of te
Auction 422
| Lot: 3187 | Jan 6, 2007
Sold For:
$402,500.00
1896-S $1 MS69 PCGS.
Of the many remarkable Morgan Dollars in the current offering of coins from the Jack Lee Collection, this single coin is the most amazing example. It is essentially perfect. The only blemish we can find, and this requires extremely careful examination, is a tiny mark between star 11 and the border. Over the years, PCGS has certified 1.7 million Morgan Silver Dollars in all the different grades, yet only nine coins have been certified as MS69. These include six 1880-S Morgans, 2 dated 1881-S, and this 1896-S dollar.
Wayne Miller had the following comments about this issue: "Despite a mintage of five million pieces, the 1896-S is very scarce in uncirculated condition. Although original rolls of this date have appeared as recently as 1973, they appear to have been widely dispersed. Most BU specimens evidence average luster, very heavy surface abrasions (particularly about Liberty's face), and much weakness on the high points. The latter does not appear to be the result of worn dies, but is more probably due to inadequate striking pressure or improper basining of the dies." Miller continued, suggesting the Gem Morgan Dollars are among the most underrated of all dates in the series. Like certain other issues in the Morgan Dollar series, the 1896-S Dollar is relatively common and easily obtainable in circulated, well-worn grade, but becomes elusive in Very Fine or higher grades. The mintage of this issue totaled 5 million coins, and apparently many of them quickly entered circulation. Bag quantities of Mint State coins were available and paid out at the mint as recently as the early 1950s, but no bag quantities were available later than that time. Apparently very few, if any, were included in the early 1960s Treasury release. Today, most want lists of Morgan dollars from all except the most advanced collectors include this date. It has been called one of the "Most Wanted" of all Morgan dollar issues.
Miss Anna Willess Williams, whose profile was used for t
(PCGS# 7244)
Auction 388
| Lot: 2328 | Nov 5, 2005
Sold For:
$402,500.00
1925-S $20 MS65 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 9182)
Auction 1359
| Lot: 3347 | May 7, 2023
Sold For:
$384,000.00
1944-S 1C --On a Zinc-Plated Steel Planchet--MS66 NGC.
(PCGS# 2729)
Auction 1114
| Lot: 1560 | Aug 3, 2008
Sold For:
$373,750.00
1893-S $1 MS64 NGC.
(PCGS# 7226)
Auction 1357
| Lot: 3774 | Feb 9, 2023
Sold For:
$372,000.00
Make Offer to Owner
$558,000 or more
1920-S $20 MS64 PCGS. CAC. HA-2.
(PCGS# 9171)
Auction 1386
| Lot: 3206 | Oct 5, 2025
Sold For:
$360,000.00
1860-S $3 MS64 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 7981)
Auction 1353
| Lot: 11016 | Sep 29, 2022
Sold For:
$360,000.00
1854-S $2 1/2 VG10 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7773)
Auction 1344
| Lot: 3941 | May 8, 2022
Sold For:
$360,000.00
1920-S $10 MS66 PCGS.
Auction 1128
| Lot: 1311 | Aug 2, 2009
Sold For:
$345,000.00
1854-S $2 1/2 XF45 PCGS.
For collectors of the Liberty quarter eagles, the 1854-S is considered the ultimate issue. This series presents several challenges, including the 1841 "Little Princess" and other rarities, but just 12 examples of the '54-S are known from the original mintage of 246 coins in April 1854. This issue was entirely unknown in numismatic circles until discovery of the first specimen less than a century ago in 1910.
This issue is a landmark rarity in the field of United States numismatics, a classic piece with few peers. With just a dozen pieces known, it has a rarity similar to coins such as the 1804 silver dollar, the 1907 Ultra High Relief double eagle, the 1927-D double eagle, and the 1894-S Barber dime, all coins that have broken the million-dollar barrier. The record price for an 1854-S quarter eagle is just $254,000.
The roster shows that surviving specimens can be divided into three groups by condition. A single coin is clearly the finest known, followed by this piece and two others that grade XF45, and the remaining eight coins, all in lower grades.
Historical Overview
During the first few years of the California gold rush, commerce was unorganized. Available coinage included those few coins that might have been carried from the East by miners seeking their fortune. Spanish colonial silver coins, including eight reales and fractional pieces provided the majority of small change in the region, while private firms began making various gold pieces from the material that was mined. Private firms produced pieces mostly ranging from five dollars to 50 dollars, while some firms also produced small fractional gold pieces of 25 cents, 50 cents, and one dollar. In addition, individuals carried sacks of gold to exchange for necessities. Paper money did not exist in the region, and in fact was prohibited.
The San Francisco Mint began operations in 1854, after its establishment by Congressional Legislation per the Act of July
(PCGS# 7773)
Auction 430
| Lot: 4325 | Feb 17, 2007
Sold For:
$345,000.00
1927-S $20 MS67 PCGS.
Like many other issues in the Saint-Gaudens series from the 1920s and 1930s, the 1927-S had a substantial mintage. In this case, 3.1 million pieces were produced in the San Francisco mint in this year. However, almost the entire mintage was melted in the 1930s. In the 1940s, the 1927-S was considered the fourth scarcest issue in the series and was thought to be even more elusive than the 1927-D. In the 1950s that perception began to change, however, as one or two pieces at a time began to show up in European gold holdings. But, like the 1926-D, it never appeared in any quantity. Very few examples are known today in all grades, and it is always a focal point of any auction.
Near-Gem and better specimens are very difficult to come by. PCGS and NGC combined have certified fewer than 40 coins in MS64 and higher grades, and MS67 pieces, the condition of the Morse specimen offered here, are downright rare. The two services have seen a mere three examples in this grade level, and none finer (9/05). Moreover, only 17 near-Gem and better '27-S's have appeared at auction over the past 25 years, and only one piece attained the MS67 level.
Some relatively recent auction appearances of high Mint State grade 1927-S coins follows. Stack's offered a Choice Brilliant Uncirculated piece with "delicate coppery orange toning over virtually mark free surfaces" in its March 1990 sale (lot 1218). The same firm sold another Choice Brilliant Uncirculated described as having "Deep greenish gold toning on frosty surfaces" (lot 1544) in March 1991. An NGC-graded MS65 coin described as having "greenish-gold toning with hints of pale orange" appeared in Superior's August 1992 sale (lot 687). In June 1995, we sold an NGC-graded MS67 piece (lot 6027) from the Museum of Connecticut History in our Long Beach sale. This is the same piece as the presently-offered Morse coin; as such, we will say more about it shortly. To continue, though, with '27-S auction appearances, David Akers c
(PCGS# 9188)
Auction 392
| Lot: 6698 | Nov 3, 2005
Sold For:
$345,000.00
1927-S $20 MS67 PCGS Secure. CAC.
(PCGS# 9188)
Auction 1181
| Lot: 5966 | Jan 14, 2013
Sold For:
$340,750.00
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