Legend Rare Coin Auctions Regency Auction 44 Catalog

LOT 406 $50 1851 “880”. REEDED. HUMBERT. NGC AU53 CAC This nearly CHOICE AU K-5 slug was sold in our June 2019 Regency Auction, where we wrote: “ This is a very handsome example of this rare and impressive type. Wonderful honey-gold coloration coats the surfaces on both sides. Both sides are boldly defined,with just some minor weakness on the highest points of the design types. While lightly worn and showing some minor contact marks, these are very minimal. The edges are solid, free of any dings that usually plague the corners. This is quite the pleasing coin and when you consider how choppy a 2.5 ounce gold coin that circulated during the Gold Rush can be, this one is very high end. Without a doubt this is one of the more eye appealing AU examples you will encounter. Perennially popular among collectors, these “ingots” or “slugs” were struck in the U.S. Assay office in San Francisco, under the direction of Augustus Humbert. His mint operated for several years before the Federal government took over operations and eventually in 1854 opened as the official branch mint in San Francisco. Because of his reputation for honesty, Humbert’s operations put out of business many of the other assaying and minting firms that opened after the discovery of gold in California. Indeed, these “slugs” were so well received in “old west” commerce, even after the official branch mint at San Francisco poured federal issue gold coins into commercial streams, they were still widely circulated.” PCGS 6, NGC 12, CAC 3. This totally original piece sold for $55,813 in our June 2019 Regency Auction. The current Collectors Universe value is listed at $67,500. There is something truly majestic about these hefty coins, they are rarely seen finer, and this is a great type that will delight any advanced collector or gold bug. PCGS# 10211 | EST: $50,000+ 249

LOT 407 1C 1855 J-170A. PCGS PR61 A more modest grade example of this popular Flying Eagle pattern. Struck in a copper-nickel alloy with a plain edge. The upward flying eagle on the obverse is reminiscent of the reverse of the Gobrecht dollars struck two decades earlier. Decent surfaces show olive-brown toning across both sides. The devices are generally well struck, though there is some minor weakness in areas, typical of these reduced sized large cent patterns. The eye appeal is nice for the assigned grade. PCGS 1, NGC 0. The most similar example to sell was a PCGS PR62 that sold in August 2010 for $2,760. Only two have sold since, a PR64 and a PR64+. Neat Rarity-6 pattern in an affordable grade. Good luck. PCGS# 62428 | EST: $2,200+ LOT 408 25C 1857 J-188. PCGS PR64 BN A truly fascinating pattern quarter. The obverse is the regular issue die, paired with what is suggested to be a setup reverse die, that is just the legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and QUAR. DOL. The letter punches are those of Anthony Paquet. Struck in copper with a reeded edge, it is estimated to be Rarity-7, and there are about four known, of which, this is tied for FINEST graded. Rich chocolate brown toning graces both sides and the surfaces are generally evenly toned. Well struck on the obverse. The reverse has a couple of flecks which help serve as pedigree markers. Ex. Superior’s sale of the Walter Lee Crouch Collection, June 1977, lot 391, Bowers and Ruddy’s sale of the William R. Sieck Collection, July 1981, lot 127, Stack’s Sale of the Albert Savage Collection, October 1997, lot 947, Heritage’s sale of the William Rau Collection, April 2018, lot 4484, Heritage’s FUN 2020 Auction, lot 5858. PCGS 2, NGC 1, This coin most recently sold for $5,760, and prior to that, it sold for $9,000 as part of the Rau Collection. The current Collectors Universe value is listed at $9,000. Bound for a SUPERB set of patterns, we think this piece is really neat and likely irreplaceable. Good luck. PCGS# 11825 | EST: $5,500+ 250

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