Year: 2019

1851-O 3 Cent Silver NGC Specimen 65 Unique Branch Mint “Specimen” Strike The Only New Orleans Date 3 Cent Date

Sirhc

Branch Mint Specimen Strike and Proof coinage represents the rarest of the rare in American numismatics.

To understand just how special these coins really are, one must understand how coins were struck at Branch Mint facilities.

The Branch Mints, including New Orleans, were set up for a commercial need. Philadelphia was the hub, and the other Mints just part of a spoke. The hub (Philadelphia) made coins for commerce and to serve special collector interests, like making pattern coins and Proofs.

The Branch Mints were designed for one need only, to produce coins to demand for the regions they were in. That is why one almost never hears of the existence of a Branch Mint Proof or Specimen striking, because those Mints were neither asked to prepare such coinage and also lacked the equipment that Philadelphia had to do so.

Record keeping was not perfect in those days. There’s no reason to suggest a Branch Mint Employee was required to write down on paper that a coin was prepared in a special manner. Their existence often leaves the coin world stunned without explanation, but many very well educated theories can be devised.

The legendary late numismatist Walter Breen stated that just 4 Proofs were made of the Philadelphia Mint 1851 3 Cent Silver piece. The only notable mention of one of those coins selling was in a 2012 auction for a PCGS PR66 for $172,500. An important coin, but not nearly as important as a Branch Mint issue.

Since the 1851-O is the first and only Branch Mint 3 Cent coin ever created, it is easy to theorize that a special ceremony must have ensued the moment this coin was made. While small, it packs rarity with a big punch. Its existence isn’t even known by most experts, and it’s only because of our far reaching resources we were able to discover its location and bring it to you now.

These coins would have been lifetime achievements for many of the greatest collectors who ever lived, had they only known of them. Research has advanced this field of study significantly in recent years, and today we are better able to understand just how important these fascinating pieces of US Mint history really are.

Pop: 1/0.

Unique.

$199,500 delivered

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Very Rare! 1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar PCGS XF40

Sirhc

The two-year Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar design type, bearing the date 1796 or 1797, is one of the three keys to completing a collection of early U.S. type coins (the others are the 1796 No Stars and 1808 quarter eagles). The scant mintage of 3,918 pieces and survival of about 300 examples affirm the key status of the 1796-1797 half. Both dates are necessary to complete a date collection of early half dollars, and no type collection can be considered complete without the presence of a Draped Bust, Small Eagle half. It is a major challenge to locate an original specimen in any grade. The PCGS population stands at just 2 with 18 higher. Listed at $145,000 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $142,500 delivered

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Rare Late Date Saint – 1925-S Saint Gaudens Double Eagle NGC MS64+

Sirhc

The 1925-S double eagle was spared from complete eradication during the mid-1930s gold melts by trade exportation, which preserved small quantities in South American and other foreign banks until recent decades. Although several hundred thousand pieces were paid out to Federal Reserve Banks, per Roger Burdette, the small surviving population of this date does not suggest that any large quantities ever made it into public hands domestically. The date is scarce across the Mint State spectrum, and its availability declines sharply in MS64. Gems, although in existence, are far out of reach for all but the most financially backed collectors. The NGC population stands at just 1 with 4 higher. Listed at $65,000 in the NGC price guide.

Offered at $53,500 delivered

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

A Dozen $20 Libs in “1” -1878-S Liberty Double eagles NGC/PCGS MS61

Sirhc

The combined NGC/PCGS Ms61 population for this date – approximately 1200 pieces – compares extremely favorably with that of the common date 1904 issue. The latter’s combined NGC/PCGS population numbers a “somewhat higher” population in excess of 43,000!  Listed at $1,880 in the CDN CPG and $2,280 in the NGC price guide.

We have twelve coins available…

Offered at $1,685 each delivered

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Rare Mint State 1799 Large Stars Draped Bust Eagle NGC MS61

Sirhc

The Draped Bust Eagles eagles are a special case, the shortest denomination and the largest early U.S. gold, made only from 1795 through 1804 (one variety was struck in 1834-35), although no 1802-dated examples were produced. Like the quarter eagles, they were struck in relatively small quantities. A date set of early eagles consists of only nine coins, although a variety set — not for the faint of heart — would include 33 die marriages, some extremely rare. This one is lighter and brighter than it appears in our images. Listed at $31,500 in the CDN CPG and $37,500 in the NGC price guide. Unlisted in Trends in this grade but they do list it at $32,500 in MS60.

Offered at $28,000

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

36 B.C. Marc Antony/Cleopatra Tetradrachm

Sirhc

The Finest of 13 Certified Examples!

Finer than the Example which recently sold for $215,000 below!

This coin is just $103,075 Delivered

A Love Story Never Grows Old With Time…

NGC AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 2/5

The following RAW XF-described Cleopatra sold for $215,000 in January 2019 at the New York Invitational!!

Marc Antony and Cleopatra. It is one of the greatest love affairs in human history. The first Romeo and Juliet. A tale made further made famous by William Shakespeare, made legendary in the 1963 movie Cleopatra starring Richard Burton as Antony and Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, and acted out in theater halls and performing arts venues across the Globe.

Marc Antony, Second-In-Command to the great Julius Caesar, was an integral figure in Rome’s transition from a republic to an empire. He was the Ben Franklin to Caesar’s Rome. Until love sealed his fate.

Cleopatra, once lover of Julius Caesar himself and Mother to one of his Sons, became the affectionate admirer of Marc Antony after Caesar’s assassination in 44 B.C. Antony’s affections for Cleopatra became too strong and as such he became more and more intertwined with the Egyptian Kingdom, ignoring the power of Octavian, who solidified power after Julius Caesar’s death and who saw Cleopatra’s hereditary right to rule as a threat. Octavian subsequently declared war on Cleopatra.

As Octavian entered Egypt, Antony and Cleopatra had no way out. Antony, thinking his lover was already dead, stabbed himself with a sword. Cleopatra was captured but managed to commit suicide by a poisonous snakebite. 

What better prize is there as a collector than to acquire a tangible artifact of one of the greatest stories ever told? This is your chance.


Artist Depiction of the two lovers.

Richard Burton portraying Marc Antony and Elizabeth Taylor portraying Cleopatra in the 1963 film about the Egyptian Queen.

Pop 1/0 of 13 Certified

$103,075 Delivered

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Tied for Highest Graded – Grant Gold Dollar NGC MS68

Sirhc

The Grant gold dollars and silver half dollars were issued on behalf of the Ulysses S. Grant Centenary Memorial Association, and that entity selected Laura Gardin Fraser to prepare the designs. A notice appeared in the January 24, 1922 issue of The Cincinnati Enquirer: There will be minted 10,000 $1 gold pieces and 250,000 silver half dollars, the first to sell for $2.50 each and the second for $1 each. This fund will assure the tri-fold purposes of the association which is interested in the construction of a memorial highway from this city to the east along the Ohio River. After the minting the dies will be destroyed, thus giving the coins a high numismatic value.” NGC has graded just 9 pieces at this level, 2 of which are designated as NGC Star examples. Listed at $19,400 in the CDN CPG and $32,500 in the NGC price guide.

Offered at $13,500 delivered

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Rare, Choice Unc. 1865 Liberty Double Eagle NGC MS63+

Sirhc

The 1865 Liberty twenty claims a nominal mintage of 351,175 pieces. Before the era of recent shipwreck finds, the 1865 double eagle was seldom encountered above the VF-XF grade level. Fortunately, 320 examples of the 1865 were recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Republic. Most of the recovered coins were in higher AU- Mint state grades, all the way up to MS65. The one offered here is clean and satiny in its appearance. In MS63, listed $23,500 in Trends.

Offered at $19,250 delivered

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

CALL US TO LOCK TRADES

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Trio of S-Mint $20 Libs – 1906-S Liberty Double Eagles PCGS/NGC MS64

Sirhc

Despite the reported mintage of more than 2 million pieces, the 1906-S Liberty double eagle is a prime condition rarity once it gets to the MS65 grade level. And if you want an MS65 instead of one of these, be prepared to pay in excess of $20,000 for it. Listed at $4,000 in the CDN CPG, $4,150 in the PCGS price guide, $5,000 in the NGC price guide and $4,350 in Trends.

We have three coins available…

Offered at $3,950 each

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

CALL US TO LOCK TRADES

(800) 257.3253 
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check. 
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Gun Money: A Fools Promise

Sirhc

Courtesy of PCGS, by Dylan Dominguez

In the late 17th century, James II served as the Roman Catholic King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He reigned from 1685-1688. During the last year of his reign, he was overthrown by Dutch Protestant William III and his army. William III ruled from 1689-1702. Since James II was no longer in power, he began to rebuild his army to fight back against William III and take back the throne.

In 1688, James II needed his military to stay with him and fight William III. Although he needed the help of these men, he was running low on resources and even more importantly, money, to fund his military. Running low on ideas, James II thought of issuing “Gun Money”. Using this idea, he was able to convince his army to take base metal coinage for payment. This saved him a large amount of money because he was able to use metals such as Copper, Brass, and Pewter which were very easy to obtain at the time. These coins were made to guarantee that after the war was over, James II would allow everyone who was given these coins to redeem them for the weight of silver and gold once they win the war.

One of the reasons commonly believed as to why these coins are called “Gun Money” is that most of the metal that was used in the minting process for these coins came from melted down guns. However, (in actuality), church bells were mostly used in the process of creating these coins. Gun Money was produced for two years from 1689 to 1690. In the first year, most of the coins were produced containing only Shillings, Six Pence, and half-crowns. In the second year, one more denomination was added, producing: Shillings, Six Pence, half crowns, and crowns.

When the war ended in 1691, James II and his army lost, and he never fulfilled his promise to exchange the “Gun Money” for the weight in gold and silver that he owed his army. Overall, these coins have an amazing history and story behind them. Who knows where all the metal came from? I can only imagine what was melted down to produce these coins. All the coins that were produced by James II and the mint contain a bit of different history in each coin.