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Coins and Medals Featuring the Robbins Collection of US Gold Coins

17 December 2013 | starting at 13:00 EST
Live Auction
New York
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395 lots available

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1910 $2.5 Softly lustrous honey-gold with olive highlights. Attractive and lustrous. (PCGS 7941)
1910 $2.5 (4) All show light wear but no signs of cleaning or damage. A desirable quartet. (PCGS 7941)
1910 $2.5 (10) A larger group of this popular date, all are in average circulated conditions. (PCGS 7941)
1911 $2.5 Mostly lustrous with only the lightest rubbing on the fields. (PCGS 7942)
1911 $2.5 (10) A barely circulated group of ten coins. None appear to be damaged or cleaned. A personal inspection is recommended.(PCGS 7942)
1911 $2.5 (10) A lightly circulated group containing ten coins. None are cleaned or damaged. A personal inspection is recommended. (PCGS 7942)
1911 $2.5 (8) All are mostly lustrous with minimal marks and abrasions. None are cleaned or damaged. A personal inspection is recommended. (PCGS 7942)
1911 $2.5 (5) All shows mint luster, several are lightly toned. None are cleaned or damaged. A personal inspection is recommended. (PCGS 7942)
1912 $2.5 Ever so close to a Mint State rating with only the lightest rubbing visible. (PCGS 7944)
1912 $2.5 (2) Both coins are well circulated but not damaged. (PCGS 7944)
1913 $2.5 Evenly worn overall with some splotchy toning on the reverse. (PCGS 7945)
1913 $2.5 (3) All show good color and traces of luster. (PCGS 7945)
1914 $2.5 (2) Both show typical wear and no mentionable damage. (PCGS 7946)
1914-D $2.5 (3) All exhibit good color and minimal marks. The mintmarks are well defined. (PCGS 7947)
1915 $2.5 Rich yellow-gold color with abundant remaining luster. (PCGS 7948)
1915 $2.5 Barely circulated for a very short time. Traces of PVC are seen on each side. (PCGS 7948)
1915 $2.5 (4) Two are bright yellow-gold, the others show pronounced reddish color. (PCGS 7948)
1926 $2.5 Well struck with frosty mint bloom and a touch of light toning. An ideal selection as a type coin. (PCGS 7950)
1927 $2.5 Pronounced reddish color decorates both sides of this fully lustrous example. Well defined throughout. (PCGS 7951)
1928 $2.5 Full luster and well defined with some copper coloration, mostly on the obverse. (PCGS 7952)
1929 $2.5 Well struck with above average luster displaying a warm golden color overall. There are a couple of tiny marks visible with close examination. (PCGS 7953)
1929 $2.5 Lustrous with a bold strike. Traces of green PVC are seen. Particularly on the obverse. (PCGS 7953)
U.S. $2.50 Gold Indian Head Set A complete collection, 1908 to 1929 containing 15 Indian quarter eagles with the minimum grade being Extremely Fine. None appear to have been cleaned or damaged. All coins are housed in a blue plastic holder. A personal examination prior to bidding is recommended.
U.S. $2.50 Gold Indian Head Set A complete collection, 1908 to 1929 containing 15 Indian quarter eagles with the minimum grade being Extremely Fine. None appear to have been cleaned or damaged. All coins are housed in a blue plastic holder. A personal examination prior to bidding is recommended.
1854 $3 Notably circulated with a couple of tiny facial marks. An affordable type coin for the collector on a budget. (PCGS 7969)
1855 $3 Bright and partially lustrous yellow-gold with a wealth of mint bloom in the protected areas. Free of most distracting marks, a desirable high grade example. (PCGS 7972)
1855 $3 Honey-gold surfaces display traces of luster and virtually no distracting marks. (PCGS 7972)
1855 $3 Smooth, even wear with no mentionable marks or other surface distractions. A pleasing, modestly circulated example. (PCGS 7972)
1856-S $3 Damage, and attempted repair is noted at the base of the obverse and on the reverse. The surfaces appear to have been cleaned also. An affordable example for the collector on a budget. (PCGS 7975)
1863 $3 Deep yellow-gold with immediately noticeable hairlines and brush marks. One of 5,000 examples struck for intended circulation at the height of the Civil War. This one was probably a jewelry piece for a number of years. (PCGS 7984)
1874 $3 Khaki-gold surfaces with ample detail remaining on most features. There are no reportable marks. (PCGS 7998)
1874 $3 Noticeably cleaned at one time, a single red spot is noted at the base of the reverse. (PCGS 7998)
1879 Flowing Hair $4 Proof 62 Cameo NGC A classic design by George Morgan, founded in a proposal by Representative John Adam Kasson for international coinage. The bright, reflective surfaces exhibit a pronounced cameo effect against the frosted devices. An interesting note: NONE of the typical striations are present on the obverse, with only a couple visible on the reverse star under very close examination. Could this be one of the 15 Originals which supposedly show no striations that were allegedly coined in 1879? It is thought that somewhere between 400 and 800 additional examples were struck in 1880 for distribution to selected politicians and others. One of the most popular of all American coins, enough to make Stellas one of the few Patterns included among regular issue coins in most reference books, The Guidebook to U.S. Coins, a notable example. The Stellas are "international" not in their conformity to other world gold coins, but in the fact that they state their weight and the relative proportions of gold and silver on their face. Presumably, gold was more appreciated worldwide in 1879 than were U.S. dollars, thus it was easier to determine the value of 6 grams of pure gold than it was to convert $4 based on some market or government-imposed rate. Regardless of intent, the Stella experiment failed and was abandoned. Ultimately, the dollar became an international currency all on its own, not due to experiments such as this, but because of the strength and stability of U.S. markets. (PCGS 8057)

1128 —
1879 Flowing Hair $4 Proof 62 Cameo NGC
A classic design by George Morgan, founded in a proposal by Representative John Adam Kasson for international coinage. The bright, reflective surfaces exhibit a pronounced cameo effect against the frosted devices. An interesting note: NONE of the typical striations are present on the obverse, with only a couple visible on the reverse star under very close examination. Could this be one of the 15 Originals which supposedly show no striations that were allegedly coined in 1879? It is thought that somewhere between 400 and 800 additional examples were struck in 1880 for distribution to selected politicians and others. One of the most popular of all American coins, enough to make Stellas one of the few Patterns included among regular issue coins in most reference books, The Guidebook to U.S. Coins, a notable example.

The Stellas are "international" not in their conformity to other world gold coins, but in the fact that they state their weight and the relative proportions of gold and silver on their face. Presumably, gold was more appreciated worldwide in 1879 than were U.S. dollars, thus it was easier to determine the value of 6 grams of pure gold than it was to convert $4 based on some market or government-imposed rate. Regardless of intent, the Stella experiment failed and was abandoned. Ultimately, the dollar became an international currency all on its own, not due to experiments such as this, but because of the strength and stability of U.S. markets. (PCGS 8057)

Sold for US$146,250 inc. premium
1879 Flowing Hair $4 Proof 61 NGC The four dollar gold piece, or "Stella," (its official name per the enabling legislation) is one of the most prestigious and sought-after of all United States gold rarities. The derivation of the term Stella is one that, while often recapped in numismatic circles, is not completely understood by many. When gold coins were first struck in the Mint in 1795, they were based on a unit of value called the 'eagle.' The eagle, equal in value to ten dollars, had a factual design of an eagle on one side. If the eagle is worth ten dollars, it would follow that a half eagle would be worth half that amount, a quarter eagle two and a half dollars, and so on. The four dollar gold piece, when it was proposed in 1879-80 (the new denomination was the brainchild of John Kasson as an international metric coin), was meant to be a new base unit for gold coins. The planners decided on the name of Stella. Similar to the eagle and other gold coins based on the ten dollar gold standard, the statutory "Stella" has a star on the reverse, since 'Stella' means star in Latin. Charles Barber engraved the dies for the Flowing Hair Stella in 1879, although he modified a design earlier done by his father, William Barber, from the previous year (the father had died in August of 1879). A sparkling Proof example of a collectible quality for this beautiful design with nicely reflective fields supporting the raised, lightly frosted devices. Gleaming luster blends effortlessly with pale golden highlights on the satiny devices. Noted are some light roller lines through the portrait and star as on most of the issue. Sharp throughout; some minor hairlines and handling marks are visible under close scrutiny. Just a glance at the present lot will serve to underscore the reason bidders will eagerly vie for it. (PCGS 8057)

1129 —
1879 Flowing Hair $4 Proof 61 NGC
The four dollar gold piece, or "Stella," (its official name per the enabling legislation) is one of the most prestigious and sought-after of all United States gold rarities. The derivation of the term Stella is one that, while often recapped in numismatic circles, is not completely understood by many. When gold coins were first struck in the Mint in 1795, they were based on a unit of value called the 'eagle.' The eagle, equal in value to ten dollars, had a factual design of an eagle on one side. If the eagle is worth ten dollars, it would follow that a half eagle would be worth half that amount, a quarter eagle two and a half dollars, and so on. The four dollar gold piece, when it was proposed in 1879-80 (the new denomination was the brainchild of John Kasson as an international metric coin), was meant to be a new base unit for gold coins. The planners decided on the name of Stella. Similar to the eagle and other gold coins based on the ten dollar gold standard, the statutory "Stella" has a star on the reverse, since 'Stella' means star in Latin. Charles Barber engraved the dies for the Flowing Hair Stella in 1879, although he modified a design earlier done by his father, William Barber, from the previous year (the father had died in August of 1879).

A sparkling Proof example of a collectible quality for this beautiful design with nicely reflective fields supporting the raised, lightly frosted devices. Gleaming luster blends effortlessly with pale golden highlights on the satiny devices. Noted are some light roller lines through the portrait and star as on most of the issue. Sharp throughout; some minor hairlines and handling marks are visible under close scrutiny. Just a glance at the present lot will serve to underscore the reason bidders will eagerly vie for it. (PCGS 8057)

Sold for US$117,000 inc. premium
1795 Small Eagle $5 BD-8, High R.5. Unnaturally bright from polishing, the coin is also well worn on each side. Popular as the first year of the denomination, the 1795 half eagle is also a subject of specialist interest, since there are no less than fifteen different die pairings for the date. This one is BD-8 which was delivered later than others, and by the time this example reached the hands of the contemporary public, much of the novelty surrounding the 1795 Small Eagle five dollar coin had most likely worn off. Thus, this one was subjected to circulation and possibly garnered some time as a jewelry piece. All details remain and an area of darker color is seen at the upper left portion of the reverse. John W. Dannreuther (2006) accounts for only 30-40 survivors in all grades. An affordable example of this highly collectible, premier issue five dollar gold coin featuring a very scarce die pairing. (PCGS 8066)

1130 —
1795 Small Eagle $5
BD-8, High R.5. Unnaturally bright from polishing, the coin is also well worn on each side. Popular as the first year of the denomination, the 1795 half eagle is also a subject of specialist interest, since there are no less than fifteen different die pairings for the date. This one is BD-8 which was delivered later than others, and by the time this example reached the hands of the contemporary public, much of the novelty surrounding the 1795 Small Eagle five dollar coin had most likely worn off. Thus, this one was subjected to circulation and possibly garnered some time as a jewelry piece. All details remain and an area of darker color is seen at the upper left portion of the reverse. John W. Dannreuther (2006) accounts for only 30-40 survivors in all grades. An affordable example of this highly collectible, premier issue five dollar gold coin featuring a very scarce die pairing. (PCGS 8066)

Sold for US$7,605 inc. premium
1803/2 $5 Well defined on both sides in soft yellow-gold with just a hint of olive color when closely examined under a light. The underdigit 2 is clear and unmistakable through the 3 of the date. Traces of adjustment marks are noted at the base of the reverse where localized striking softness is also seen. The lightly marked surfaces are still attractive to the eye, but display numerous small signs of contact and bruising on the edges. Noted expert John Dannreuther believes between 125 and 175 of these exist today in all grades. (PCGS 8084)
1834 $5. Plain 4 VF20 NGC Well worn but quite smooth with no offensive marks. An affordable type coin for a circulated gold set. (PCGS 88180)
1879-S $5 Lightly circulated with a couple of small edge chips visible on the obverse. Deep honey-golden color. (PCGS 8350)
1880-S $5 An "average circulated" example with pleasant surface and no mentionable distractions. Original throughout. (PCGS 8353)
1880-S $5 A so-called "average circulated" piece with traces of luster remaining, particularly on the reverse. (PCGS 8353)
1880-S $5 A few minor abrasions are seen on each side of this otherwise evenly worn example. (PCGS 8353)
1881 $5 (3) All display even wear and no distractions with traces of remaining luster. (PCGS 8354)
1882 $5 (2) Light wear on each with no mentionable marks. (PCGS 8358)
1885 $5 Attractive, lightly circulated surfaces with only a couple of tiny abrasions on the obverse. (PCGS 8367)
1894 $5 A piece showing average circulation and no mentionable marks. Desirable for a circulated type collection. (PCGS 8387)
1895 $5 (2) Both exhibit typical wear for the grades. (PCGS 8390)
1897 $5 (2) Both exhibit nominal wear with a few small abrasions. (PCGS 8394)
1898-S $5 Notably worn with a number of small obverse marks. An affordable type coin. (PCGS 8397)
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