Walter Breen
Half Dollar. [813] New obverse hub, the changes the same as in the quarter; same comment. Auction record for a simon pure gem virgo intacta, beautifully toned, a then extraordinary $135 in Merkin 11/65; it would probably quadruple that figure today. So much for claims that toned coins won't sell.
Silver Dollar [813] VAM 4: obv. hollows below M and in hair, rev. type C4. Too often available only rubbed and scrubbed. Under severe date collector pressure because business strikes are seldom available in mint state, almost none having shown up in Treasury sacks; available pieces are usually worn.
Silver proof sets. [813] As in 1899.
Quarter Eagle. [223] *B-1. Date about central, left base of first 1 left of center, r. base of final 1 r. of left edge; minute chip on temple, scattered criss-cross die file marks in shield, which fade. Ullmer'sbrought $1,700 - about current market value.
Half Eagle. [140] Rarer than mintage figure suggests; no auction records recent enough to give a fair idea of value. Private sale records 1974-5 said to exceed $3,000.
Eagle. [85] *B-4. Minute recutting on bases of 19 and inside top of 0; hollow below ear; low date slanting up, left base of 1 left of center, r. base of final 1 almost over r. edge. Too often available only nicked or cleaned. Auction record $3,250 for Ullmer's slightly impaired one; a perfect piece might bring 50% more.
Double Eagle. [96] Date collector attention has pushed this one up a bit. Auction record and probable high water mark, $6,250 in 1974 ANA, followed by $4,750 in Ullmer (few minute nicks as usual), trailed by the Dines-Delp coin at $3,300. Perhaps between one third and one half as many were recently offered as for 1900, and they have exceeded the latter except for Wolfson's and 1964 ANA's. John J. Ford is probably to be credited with calling collector attention to the fact that in choice mint state these late Philadelphia twenties are anything but "common gold" (except for 1904), stimulating spirited auction bidding since the early 1960's.
Gold proof sets. Probably about 80 to 85 were made. For some reason, fewer are around than of 1900, though one was offered in Schulman's 1951 auction of the B. G. Johnson material, and another (the same?) in QS 9/73:998.
Complete proof sets. As in 1899.
1902
Cent. [2018] From now on through 1909 Indian, devices are semi-brilliant, though less noticeably so than in higher denominations. No special peculiarities. Always available for a price.
Five Cents. [2018] From now through 1912, devices are semi-brilliant, though not as noticeably as on higher denominations. At least two positional varieties.
- In date 1 centered between bust and border. LM 11/65:213, others.
-Low date, 1 almost touches border. LM 11/65:214; ANS; others. It is premature to say which is scarcer. Other minute positional varieties may exist. Too many of the date have been cleaned, and some of the scrub brush boys did not even bother to remove the scouring powder traces from around stars, numerals, and letters. Back in the middle and late fifties I attempted to remove this foreign matter from several hundred proofs ca. 1895-1912, using organic solvents or degreasing agents. Success was dubious. Why do so many proofs in this period come with unsightly stains - or evidence of cleaning to remove them? Did the mint begin using even more sulfurous paper to wrap them?
Minor proof sets. [2018] As in 1899.
Dime. [777] No peculiarities. Same comment as to the 5¢. From now through 1915, devices are semi-brilliant (not frosty as before) on all silver denominations.
Quarter. [777] Ditto.
Half Dollar. [777] Double ditto. Same comment as to 1899 except no recut dates.
Silver Dollar. [777] Likewise. The speculator activity now centers mostly on proofs. VAM 2.
Silver proof sets. [777] As in 1899.
Quarter Eagle. [193] Often available for a price. That in the Ullmer sale was $1,300. From now through 1907, devices are semi-brilliant on all gold denominations, not frosty.
Half Eagle. [162] Rare, no recent enough auction records for unimpaired ones to give a fair idea of value; Ullmer's, cleaned, went at $2,600. Private sale records supposedly in excess of $3000, like the 1901; not much attention paid to minor differences in rarity among these.
Eagle. [113] Low date. Favored with date collector attention of late, as the business strikes have turned out to be hard to find choice, the mintage low enough to raise some eyebrows, highlighted by much commoner neighbors. Compare Ullmer: 508 (slide mark on jaw): at $3,200; that in the February 1960 Schulman-Kreisberg sale: 2826, which was a beauty; Wolfson's; and that in 1964 ANA Convention sale.
Double Eagle. [114] Date a little above center. By now famous from date collector attention; lowest business strike mintage of the period (1893-1907). Auction record $4,500 in Ullmer (field rubbing) followed by $2,700, 1964 ANA Convention. Wolfson's was not even close. Most of the small number floating around the bourses have been nicked up.
Gold proof sets. Not more than 113 could have been made, probably fewer, say 105 to 100. Cf. lot 1391, B. G. Johnson estate, in Schulman 1951 sale; J. W. Schmandt's; and that in the May 1957 auction.
Complete proof sets. As in 1899.
1903
Cent. [1790] Minute positional variants only. Five Cents [1790] Minor positional variants, at least three. Normal date, no recutting on 3. Same comment as to the 1902. Sometimes with rev. 180° from normal; 1973 GENA: 188.
Minor proof sets. [1790] These used to be common and were seen as late as the middle fifties, but most appear to have been broken up.
Dime. [755] Normal date only. No notable peculiarities.
Quarter. [755] Ditto. Many have been absolutely ruined by Cleaning, perhaps a little more than other dates of the period.
Half Dollar. [755] As with the quarter.