Eagles - Lots 715-786
The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Part IV
Eagles - Lots 715-786
Another Scarce 1874-S $10
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715 1874-S EF-40. Medium yellow gold with coppery highlights. An attractive, lightly circulated specimen of this scarce date. Only 10,000 were struck, and few remain as attractive as this one. Very nice for the issue.
From same dies as preceding lot, now in a later state. Mintmark appears ill-defined.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman on June 30, 1967.
Extraordinary 1875-CC Eagle
Tied for Finest Certified by PCGS
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716 1875-CC AU-55 (PCGS). Lustrous light yellow gold with coppery highlights around the periphery. Some prooflike surfaces remain. Dig noted behind lowest curl; a chip at truncation of bust is likely mint-made. A superb specimen of this issue that usually comes heavily circulated. David Akers agrees, noting that "few, if any, U.S. gold coin issues come more well worn than this very rare date. Since all 1875-CC eagles are also softly struck, the result is that obtaining an 1875-CC with a presentable appearance is nearly impossible." This piece, while a bit bluntly struck, is certainly presentable, even attractive. 7,715 struck; none have been certified finer by PCGS than this coin. An unimprovable example of a rarity from the Carson City Mint.
PCGS Population: 4; none finer.
Die rust at butt of arrow feather. This reverse also used on 1874-CC eagles (see Lot 712).
Purchased from Pullen and Hanks on August 28, 1978.
Important 1876 Proof Eagle
Incredible Rarity
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717 1876 Proof-64 (PCGS). Medium yellow gold with heavily frosted devices. Struck through fiber near star 1, an identification point for this coin in the future. Bright reflective fields provide deep contrast. Only 45 Proofs were struck in the Centennial year, though all estimates (Breen, Akers, etc.) point to the existence of about 15 today. Of these, none exceed this one despite attempts at the Proof-65 certification level resulting in 19 certifications at Proof-64! A beautiful specimen of this rarity.
PCGS Population: 19, none finer.
Purchased from Robert Steinberg, August 17, 1972.
Very Rare 1876 Eagle
Only 687 Pieces Struck for Circulation
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718 1876 Net AU-50; sharpness of MS-60 or finer, two large scratches on obverse. Prooflike light yellow gold with superb lustre. Frosted devices heavily offset. Just an amazing example of this rarity despite two thin and ancient scratches on the left side of the obverse. Almost all of the 30 or so circulation strike 1876 eagles that exist are VF or so. This piece is a marvelous exception, fully prooflike and attractive. Harry Bass called this piece "finest seen," it is certainly among the finest known. PCGS has certified only one coin above the AU-50 level and neither service has graded any as Mint State. Its mintage is second only to the legendary 1875 eagle as the lowest of the eagle series.
Certain die markers distinguish the 1876 circulation strikes from their Proof counterparts, such as lapping marks through ERTY and a few pimples of die rust directly under lowest curl. The date logotype is positioned ever so slightly differently, but these other markers are much simpler to examine.
From Parke-Bernet’s sale of May 1968, Lot 169.
Splendid 1876-CC $10 Rarity
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719 1876-CC AU-55 (PCGS). Lustrous medium yellow gold with coppery highlights. Well struck and semi-prooflike. A superb specimen of this low-mintage Carson City emission. Only 4,696 were struck and, like most Carson City gold issues, all were released locally into circulation and remained there until well worn. Most 1876-CC eagles survivors are in VF and frequently specimens appear even more heavily worn. The present offering is a nice exception, retaining much original lustre and eye appeal. Unknown in Mint State and therefore a standout among extant specimens.
PCGS Population: 2; 1 finer (AU-58).
Mintmark high and even, first C centered over left edge of left serif of N. Second C centered over diagonal of N.
From Stack’s ANA sale, August 1976, Lot 3100.
Nice 1876-S $10
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720 1876-S EF-45. Bright medium yellow gold with coppery highlights and lustre in recessed areas. A pleasing specimen of this rarity. Shallow dig blends into field near star 1. Some peripheral roughness noted. Very difficult to find in presentable condition; Akers noted that "there are more that grade below VF than above it." A very pleasing example from only 5,000 struck.
Mintmark filled and worn, centered over edge of left serif of N. This reverse die is likely a die used in a previous year, perhaps in 1874, now rusted and relapped after a clash, whose vestiges still remain.
Purchased from William Donner on February 20, 1968.
Prooflike 1877 Eagle
One of 797 Coined
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721 1877 AU-55 (PCGS). Lustrous light yellow gold with heavily reflective surfaces. Fully struck and appealing. A very pleasing specimen of this first-rate Philadelphia Mint rarity. A few tiny splashes of fuchsia on obverse and reverse. The 1877 is very scarce graded higher than EF and Mint State specimens are basically unattainable; Akers reports seeing only one Mint State coin. This specimen certainly ranks among the top examples noted and is a prize for the specialist who endeavors to own the real rarities of the U.S. gold series.
PCGS Population: 4; 5 finer (AU-58). This likely includes several attempts at the elusive Mint State designation.
Die scratch between I and B of LIBERTY. Die polish around IN and ST of motto.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman on May 23, 1968.
722 1877-S EF-45. Medium yellow gold with coppery peripheral highlights. Faded lustre in protected areas. A better than average specimen of this scarce issue.
Mintmark appears as a blob at point of arrow feather, centered over left edge of left serif of N.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman on July 17, 1967.
723 1877-S EF-40. Medium yellow gold with lustrous residue. Very nice for the grade.
From same dies as preceding lot.
Purchased from Leo Young on April 14, 1967.
Choice 1878 Eagle
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724 1878 MS-64 (PCGS). Lustrous bright medium yellow gold with some russet highlights. Well struck with satiny surfaces. A very pleasing Mint State example of the earliest Philadelphia issue available in any quantity in higher grades. Shallow dig under M of AMERICA noted for accuracy.
PCGS Population: 5; 1 finer (MS-65).
Starting in December 1878, gold coins were again available at par, or face value in paper money or silver coin. By this time silver coins had already been in circulation for more than two years, and the specter of hoarding gold had passed. The Treasury anticipated that gold coins would again circulate very extensively in the East and the Midwest, where they had not been seen since 1872. However, documentation reveals that after 1878 the vast majority of coins went to the export trade and were not used in domestically. In the present instance, 73,780 eagles were struck at Philadelphia, the largest mintage seen so far. The channels of commerce quickly absorbed a few, with the rest used in the overseas trade, but not widely preserved in distant locations, leaving few Mint State pieces as choice as the current example.
Purchased from Douglas Weaver on September 26, 1973.
Elusive 1878-CC Eagle
Among the Finest Known
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725 1878-CC AU-53 (PCGS). Even medium yellow gold with much remaining lustre. Very pleasing for the assigned grade level. While Philadelphia mintages increased precipitately, Carson City stayed the course with only 3,244 pieces struck in 1878. Survivors are rare in all grades; Akers notes "most known specimens grade only Fine or VF and the 1878-CC is extremely rare in full EF. Above that grade, it is prohibitively rare and no specimen I have seen or heard of even approaches full Mint State." The present piece is nice for the AU grade and very attractive. Worthy of a premium bid.
PCGS Population: 2, 3 finer (AU-55). This may include resubmissions, attempts to achieve the elusive Mint State designation.
Mintmark leaning slightly down to the right. First C centered over gap between E and N, second C centered over diagonal of N.
From Abner Kreisberg’s sale of September 1971, Lot 1160.
726 1878-S EF-45. Medium yellow gold with much lustre. Some violet highlights add to its eye appeal. Nice for the grade and scarce so fine.
Mintmark clear, centered over gap between E and N.
Purchased from John Smies on June 22, 1967.
727 1878-S EF-40. Bright medium yellow gold with violet highlights. Some lustre remains, particularly on the reverse, and the eye appeal is very good. Tiny rim nick noted over star 7. Another very nice specimen of this date.
Struck from same dies as preceding lot.
Purchased from Leo Young on April 14, 1867.
Beautiful 1879 Proof $10 Rarity
30 Pieces Struck
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728 1879 Proof-64 (PCGS). Bright yellow gold with satiny devices. An exceptional specimen of this rare issue of which perhaps a third survive. Of those only a handful combine the collectibility requisites of attractiveness and availability on the open market, as many are impaired or institutionalized. A few light hairlines are noted. Very desirable and worthy of inclusion in the finest collection.
The same general comments that we related under our offering of Proof half eagles of this era can be given here: each and every Proof issue is exceedingly rare, and often a span of years will elapse between offerings. Even the most important collections coming to market in past generations have lacked the majority of these issues in Proof finish. The Bass opportunity is simply incredible.
PCGS Population: 5; 1 finer (MS-65). This no doubt includes resubmissions.
From Stack’s sale of October 1970, Lot 955.
Phenomenal 1879-CC Eagle
Carson City Rarity
Possible Finest Known
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729 1879-CC AU-55 (PCGS). Bright light yellow gold with prooflike surfaces and remarkable lustre. Well struck for the issue. Supremely appealing with only a few trivial marks behind lowest curl noted for accuracy. This issue has the lowest mintage of any Carson City eagle, all of which are rare in this grade. The 1879-CC is unknown in Mint State, making this coin basically impossible to improve upon. Akers notes "I have seen one ‘borderline uncirculated’ specimen, the B&R 10/77 coin listed below as AU." This is that same coin. A candidate for finest known honors, this piece will vastly improve any collection to which it is added.
Among Carson City coins the $10 pieces are much rarer on average than are the larger $20 coins, although virtually all market publicity is given to the latter. The Bass Collection of Carson City coins stands tall and proud as one of the very finest ever offered—handily eclipsing just about anything else that has come to market. When sold, which is happening with the present catalogue, it is unlikely that we will have the opportunity to offer anything equivalent in a long time, if ever.
PCGS Population: 2; none finer.
Struck from same reverse die as Lot 725, an 1878-CC eagle.
From our sale of the Fairfield Collection, October 1977, Lot 1823.
730 1880 MS-62. Bright medium yellow gold with some peripheral orange toning and satiny surfaces. Lustrous and choice for the grade. Beginning about now we emerge from the deep forest of great rarity in the Liberty Head eagle series to the sunny fields of availability—although certain pieces remain elusive in higher grades (as indicated in the following descriptions).
80 slightly lower than 18, 1 over left edge of dentil.
From Stack’s sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 1088.
731 1880 MS-62. Lustrous medium yellow gold with orange and steel highlights. Bright and satiny surfaces. Quite pleasing for the grade.
Thin crack through base of 1 to second 8. Another very thin crack spiders through bases of MERICA, through both pellets and tops of TEN D to UN. Lines at center of N in UNITED are vestiges of lapping line that also appears on upright of I.
From Stack’s sale of the Miles Collection, October 1968, Lot 713.
Superb 1880-CC Eagle
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732 1880-CC AU-58 (PCGS). Even lustrous light yellow gold with highly prooflike surfaces. Impressively bright and reflective, this is a magnificent Carson City eagle. We do note a dig near star 2 for identification purposes. While not the rarest Carson City eagle, this issue is usually only seen in middle circulated grades with Akers noting only two low-end Uncirculated coins. Pieces which rival this coin’s sharpness and eye appeal are few, and due to the popularity of Carson City issues we expect much bidding interest when this piece crosses the block.
PCGS Population: 4; 2 finer (MS-60).
Mintmark low with both Cs closed and filled. First C centered over left edge of left serif of N and second C centered over right upright of N.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman on June 17, 1971.
733 1880-CC EF-40. Pleasing even medium yellow gold with some lustre remaining in protected regions. Choice for the grade with some remaining prooflike reflectivity. A coin that circulated in the Old West but was not abused in its travels. A very attractive specimen of this popular issue.
From same dies as preceding lot.
From Parke Bernet’s sale of May 1968, Lot 176.
734 1880-O EF-45. Bright medium yellow gold with generous amounts of original lustre and eye appeal. A pleasing specimen of this low-mintage New Orleans issue, the second after the suspension of eagle coinage in 1860. Tiny rim bump noted past star 13. Very nice for the grade.
Stars repunched, most clear on stars 1 through 6. Mintmark high and small, centered directly over gap between E and N.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of April 1969, Lot 461.
Attractive Eagle Grouping
735 Sextette of eagles grading MS-60: I 1880-S. Lustrous I 1888-O (2). Both are lustrous with faint copper spots on the reverse I 1895. Orange-gold surfaces I 1906-S. Brilliant and lustrous I 1909-D. Lustrous yellow surfaces. (Total: 6 pieces)
Mint State Quintette
736 Quintette of MS-61 eagles: I 1881. Frosty lustre I 1886-S. Satiny lustre I 1899. Satiny I 1902-S. Brilliant and lustrous I 1903-S Repunched Mintmark. Brilliant and lustrous. (Total: 5 pieces)
Lustrous 1881-CC Eagle
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737 1881-CC AU-58. Bright medium yellow gold with lustrous satiny surfaces. Some areas of darker toning. A very attractive specimen with strong eye appeal. This issue is a bit more available than other Carson City eagles, but by no means common in this grade.
Crack through base of date to rim. Crack through star 13. Cracked through ITED, including cracks at top and bottom of ED. Crack from wing tip to first S in STATES, another crack in TATE, another from base of S to O and top of O to F. Cracks from wing tip to rim and A, which continues through base of AMERICA. Crack through top of TEN D. Crack from central arrowhead to R and another to left serif of I. Mintmark leans down to right, first C centered over space between E and N, second centered over diagonal of N.
Purchased from John Smies on June 9, 1967.
738 1881-CC EF-40. Even medium yellow gold with orange and copper highlights.
From same dies as preceding lot.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of the Shuford Collection, May 1968, Lot 2311.
739 1881-O AU-50. Attractive light yellow gold with some lustre remaining. A very pleasing specimen of this scarce issue. Tiny rim nick over star 6 noted for accuracy. Very rare in grades higher than this, most of the survivors of the mintage of 8,350 are in the VF and EF range. Above average in quality and appeal.
1 repunched with only a tiny vestige of the left most point of serif visible in field between second 8 and 1. Mintmark centered over space between E and N.
Purchased from Robert Roth.
Lustrous $10 Selection
740 Quintette of eagles grading MS-62: I 1882 I 1886-S I 1893 I 1894 I 1901-S. All are brilliant and lustrous. (Total: 5 pieces)
Interesting Eagle Group
741 Grouping of eagles grading AU-55: I 1882. Satiny with a touch of rose at the rims I 1892-S. Satiny I 1894-O. Lustrous I 1897-O. Brilliant and lustrous I 1905-S. Brilliant and lustrous I 1906. Brilliant and lustrous I 1907-D. Brilliant and lustrous I 1907-S. Lustrous. (Total: 8 pieces)
Splendid 1882-CC Eagle
Misplaced Date in Dentils
A New Discovery
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742 1882-CC AU-53. Lustrous medium yellow gold with reflective surfaces. Very attractive and choice for the grade. Another scarce Carson City issue with 6,764 struck and no more than a few surviving in Mint State. Breen calls this "prohibitively rare EF," making this specimen a very desirable piece with only a very tiny portion of the survivors exceeding its condition.
Upon careful examination of this coin, you will note (as we did) two curves in the dentils close to rim, the remnants of an errantly placed logotype punch. These two 8 numerals are below and slightly left of the correctly placed digits. Discovered by John Kraljevich, Jr., September 29, 2000.
Mintmark level, first C centered over gap between E and N, second C centered over left edge of right serif of N.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman on June 30, 1967.
Choice Prooflike 1882-O $10
Finest Certified by PCGS
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743 1882-O MS-63 (PCGS). Frosty devices with bright medium yellow reflective surfaces. Superb unbroken lustre and first-rate eye appeal. In short, simply an amazing specimen of this very scarce eagle that typically appears in middle circulated grades. Shallow dig under the eye noted. A bit bluntly struck on some stars, though central details are very sharply struck. Akers had noted only one "average quality" Uncirculated specimen of this issue; the present example was off the market before his study was undertaken. This is the finest graded by PCGS and is the only coin awarded the MS-63 designation. Certainly among the finest extant, a prize for the savvy collector of gold coins.
PCGS Population: 1; none finer.
Lapping line from rim near star 9. Thin crack from top of E to D in UNITED, another from base of D to wing and top of D to field. Tops of RICA joined.
Purchased from A-Mark on April 20, 1976.
Attractive Eagle Sextette
744 Half dozen eagles grading MS-62: I 1883 I 1887-S I 1893 I 1900 I 1905 I 1907. Each is lustrous and attractive. (Total: 6 pieces)
Appealing 1883-CC Eagle
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745 1883-CC AU-53. Prooflike light yellow gold with much original lustre. Sharply struck and choice for the grade. Short dig in front of nose noted for accuracy. Very rare in grades higher than this, the 1883-CC eagle typically appears in worn condition. This piece is very attractive, far above average for the issue.
Retained cud fuses dentils from stars 1 to 4. Die chip and crack at point of star 4 to rim. First C of mintmark centered left of left upright of N, second centered on right upright of N.
From Parke-Bernet’s sale of May 1968, Lot 179.
746 1883-CC EF-40. Even light yellow gold with prooflike surfaces. Some lustre remains in protected areas. An attractive specimen of this popular and scarce Carson City issue.
Heavy die rust near star 13. Reverse die worn with dentils cracked and fused from 7:00 to 11:00. Mintmark closed with first C centered just slightly left of left upright of N, second C centered just slightly right of right upright of N.
From Superior’s sale of February 1973, Lot 740.
Spectacular 1883-S Eagle
Probably Finest Known
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747 1883-S MS-66 (PCGS). Superb warm medium yellow gold with copper and light green highlights. Satiny surfaces with fully intact lustre. An amazing specimen, beautiful and original with immaculate surfaces. Tiny carbon spot noted near star 5 under magnification. This is a coin of awe-inspiring beauty, even surrounded by coins of the quality of the Bass Collection, with an atypical impeccable strike and supreme eye appeal. From a mintage of 38,000 pieces.
This coin is almost certainly unimprovable and as a beautiful S-mint With Motto eagle it is almost certainly unexceeded. A coin that would improve even the finest array of U.S. gold coins and one of the condition highlights of this offering.
PCGS Population: 1; none finer.
Left edge of serif of 1 between dentils. Mintmark high and filled, centered over left serif of N.
From RARCOA’s session of Auction ‘85, Lot 458.
Lustrous Eagle Lineup
748 Selection of eagles grading AU-58: I 1883-S I 1888-S I 1892 I 1894 I 1899-O I 1903-O I 1906-D. A well matched grouping with each displaying lustrous surfaces. (Total: 7 pieces)
Memorable 1884-CC Eagle
Breen’s "Canceled Die" Discovery Coin
Condition Census
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749 1884-CC MS-63 (PCGS). Appealing light yellow gold. Sharply struck with good original lustre. Tiny area of discoloration in left field noted for identification. This is one of the nicest specimens of this low-mintage Carson City issue, listed as finest known in Douglas Winter’s census. Very scarce in all grades and extremely rare in Mint State, this piece is of the so-called "canceled die variety," probably more prevalent than the "normal" variety. The obverse shows heavy lines across Liberty’s figure, which have long been conjectured to be chiseled cancellation marks from a die forced back into service. In fact, we believe these to be simply unfinished lapping lines similar to those sometimes seen around the periphery of obverse dies throughout the series. Following heavy filing (also called lapping), to remove clashing or die rust, dies were typically "finished" with a much finer series of files and abrasives to remove vestiges of the heavier conditioning. This obverse die merely missed the finishing step in its preparation for being placed into coining service.
Although this present specimen is accorded the honor of discovery coin for the variety by Breen, on a wider sense of popularity it ranks among the very finest examples of the 1884-CC eagle of any variety. Only 9,925 pieces were coined at Carson City, and of the 100 or so extant, no more than a handful can truly be called Mint State. This example’s unsurpassed quality will attract much excitement when it crosses the block.
PCGS Population: 1; none finer.
Heavy die lapping marks across Liberty’s bust. Reverse cracked through base of UNITED, D to wing tip through ST, T to base of A. Light cracks in field between STATES and OF, base of AMERICA joined by a thin crack. Crack joins both pellets to tops of TEN D. Mintmark wide, first C centered over edge of left serif of N, second C centered over right upright of N.
From Paramount’s sale of August 1969, Lot 2150.
Half Dozen Nice $10 Pieces
750 Half dozen eagles grading AU-58: I 1884-S. Pale greenish at the rims I 1891. Orange-gold surfaces I 1893-S S Over S. Lustrous yellow gold I 1896. Lustrous I 1901-O. Brilliant and lustrous I 1904-O. Brilliant and lustrous. (Total: 6 pieces)
Choice Mint State 1887 $10
Harry Bass: "Finest Seen"
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751 1887 MS-63. Highly lustrous honey gold with attractive rose highlights. Devoid of all but a few minor marks and choice for the assigned grade. From a mintage for the date of 53,600 circulation strikes. Regarding this date, David Akers noted: "At the choice and gem level, the 1887 is rare."
This is the only example of the date in circulation strike format that Harry Bass owned in any grade, and is a testament to the overall rarity of the date in Mint State. That is not to say that Harry didn’t look for choice examples; the accompanying ticket reads "Finest seen."
Date logotype firmly impressed and nicely centered both horizontally and vertically.
Purchased from Don Apte, January 7, 1973.
752 1888 MS-62. Lustrous honey gold with attractive rose highlights. A pleasing coin for the grade.
Date logotype firmly impressed, top of 1 marginally farther from truncation than bottom is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over center of dentil. A faint reverse die crack unites the denomination and the U in UNITED.
From Pine Tree Auction Company’s sale of March 1974, Lot 249.
Mint State 1889 Eagle
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753 1889 MS-62. Highly lustrous honey gold with a trace of olive in the fields. Nicely struck. A scarce Philadelphia issue, one of only 4,440 circulation strikes produced. Typically encountered at VF to EF, with AU and finer specimens quite scarce.
Date logotype nicely impressed, top of 1 marginally farther from truncation than bottom is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over left edge of dentil.
From Paramount’s sale of May 1966, Lot 612.
754 1890 MS-61. Lustrous honey gold.
Date logotype firmly impressed, one equidistant, left edge of lower serif over left edge of dentil. A faint die crack connects most of the obverse stars. Faint reverse die cracks connect much of the peripheral legend.
From Stack’s sale of the Miles Collection, October 1968, Lot 743.
755 1890-CC Net AU-58; overall quality of MS-64 or so, but some surface abrasion is noted at the first obverse star. Lustrous olive-gold. Choice despite the aforementioned abrasions. A popular date, one of 17,500 circulation strikes produced. A pleasing coin overall.
Date logotype firmly impressed, top of 1 nearly twice the distance from truncation as bottom is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over center of dentil. Reverse CC mintmark somewhat tall and nicely formed, a letter’s width between the two letters, both tilted slightly left, first C marginally lower in die, that C partly over space between E and N below, mainly over left side of N, second C centered over upper right serif of N.
Purchased from Julian Leidman, August 12, 1969.
756 1891 MS-62. Lustrous honey gold. Somewhat prooflike in the fields.
Date logotype nicely impressed and centrally located both horizontally and vertically, left edge of lower serif of first 1 over space between dentils.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, April 28, 1967.
757 1891-CC MS-62. Lustrous honey gold with distinct olive highlights. A satiny example of the date, very attractive overall.
Date logotype firmly impressed, top of first 1 twice the distance from truncation as bottom is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over right edge of dentil. CC mintmark nicely shaped and well impressed, distance between both letters nearly twice the width of a letter, first C partly over space between E and N, mainly over N, second C over right upright of N and the space beyond.
Purchased from the Goliad Corporation, January 26, 1973.
758 1891-CC MS-61. Lustrous honey gold with satiny surfaces. A second pleasing example of the date.
The popular variety with widely repunched CC mintmark, with traces of the first mintmark in and to the right of the present mintmark.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, July 9, 1968.
759 1891-CC MS-60. Lustrous honey gold with splashes of deep orange-gold.
Date logotype somewhat low and to left, top of 1 twice the distance from truncation as bottom of 1 is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over right side of dentil. CC mintmark well impressed and well formed, about one letter’s distance between the two letters, first C over right side of E and space between E and N, second C over center of N.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, June 14, 1967.
760 1891-CC AU-50. Lustrous deep honey gold.
From the same die pair as the preceding lot.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, August 21, 1968.
761 1892-CC AU-55. Bright and lustrous honey gold. Another popular Carson City Mint issue.
Date logotype nicely impressed and nicely centered both horizontally and vertically. Reverse CC mintmark closer to device above than denomination below, both letters lean slightly left, first C marginally lower than C, first C slightly right of but mainly over space between E and N, second C slightly left of center above second upright of N. A thatch of horizontal raised die lines can be seen around the eagle’s talons.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, October 6, 1967.
762 1893 MS-63. Frosty honey gold with splashes of olive iridescence. An attractive coin for the grade.
Date logotype high in the die, bottom of 1 twice the distance from dentils as top is from truncation, left edge of lower serif over right edge of dentil. A faint die crack unites the final star with the bottoms of the date numerals, advancing from there through the following stars, ending at the fifth obverse star.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, November 12, 1971.
Choice Mint State 1893-O $10
Sole Example in the Bass Collection
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763 1893-O MS-63. Highly lustrous olive-gold with strong aesthetic appeal. Sharply struck in all areas save for a few obverse stars. From a circulation strike mintage for the date of 17,000 pieces. As noted by David Akers, "Most known specimens in the EF-AU range and have prooflike or semi-prooflike surface. There are also a number of average Uncirculated pieces around but choice and gem quality specimens are decidedly scarce, if not rare." This is the only specimen of the date that Harry Bass found suitable over decades of searching. Highly pleasing overall.
Date logotype firmly impressed, and nicely located both horizontally and vertically. O mintmark fairly high in the die and about equidistant from talon and tip of arrow feather, located above space between E and N, mainly over N.
From Stack’s sale of the Miles Collection, October 1968, Lot 752.
764 1894 MS-63. Highly lustrous honey gold with delightful rose toning. A satiny, well struck eagle.
Date logotype centrally located both horizontally and vertically, left edge of lower serif of 1 over center of dentil.
From Stack’s sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 1126.
765 1894-O MS-61. Highly lustrous satiny honey gold surfaces. A splash of rose iridescence adds to the appeal. Choice for the grade. Regarding this date, David Akers noted "In overall rarity, it is similar to the 1888-O, 1892-O, 1895-O, and 1903-O, although for some unknown reason it is considerably more difficult to obtain in Uncirculated condition than any other date of this group."
Date logotype centrally located although somewhat left, left edge of lower serif over right side of dentil. O mintmark round and well formed, tilted slightly right, equidistant from talon and tip of arrow feather, located nearly directly above the space between E and N below. Some faint die cracks can be seen among the peripheral legends.
Purchased from Douglas Weaver, September 26, 1973.
Choice Mint State 1895-O Eagle
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766 1895-O Reverse Doubling. MS-63. Highly lustrous, satiny honey gold with traces of olive. Nicely struck. A scarce date in Mint State, one that is seldom seen choice or finer.
Logotype firmly impressed and somewhat low, top of 1 twice the distance from truncation as bottom is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over right edge of dentil. O mintmark high in die and tilted slightly right, equidistant from talon and tip of arrow feather, centered over space between E and N below. Some minor doubling is noted at TEND, and the olive berries in the branch above.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, February 24, 1971.
767 1895-S Double Punched Mintmark. AU-55. Lustrous olive-gold. A popular branch mint issue.
Date logotype nicely impressed if somewhat low, top of 1 marginally farther from truncation than bottom is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over space between dentils. Small S mintmark placed fairly high, closer to tip of arrow feather than to talon, S leans slightly left, and is mostly over the left side of the N below.
Purchased from Jack L. Klausen, June 17, 1968.
768 1896-S AU-58. Lustrous olive-gold with some prooflike reflectivity in the fields. Nicely struck.
Date logotype nicely centered although somewhat left, left edge of lower serif of 1 over center of dentil. From the same reverse die as the preceding lot.
From Superior’s sale of March 1973, Lot 776.
Choice Mint State 1897 Eagle
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769 1897 Recut 1 and 7. MS-64. A satiny delight, with strong cartwheel lustre on honey gold surfaces. A whisper of iridescent rose adds to the overall appeal. Sharply struck and essentially problem free for the grade, choice as such. Base of 1 in date boldly repunched.
Date nicely centered both horizontally and vertically, left edge of serif of 1 over center of dentil.
Purchased from Stack’s sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 1136.
770 1897-S MS-60. Highly lustrous honey gold with traces of olive. An attractive coin for the grade.
Date logotype nicely centered horizontally and vertically, left edge of 1 in date over right edge of dentil. S mintmark fairly high in die and tilted slightly right, slightly closer to tip of arrow feather than to talon, left bottom serif of S over space between E and N, mainly over N. Some faint die cracks can be seen in the peripheral legends.
From Stack’s sale of February 1972, Lot 859.
Impressive Gem Uncirculated 1899-S $10
Among Finest Graded by PCGS
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771 1899-S MS-65 (PCGS). A satiny, delightful gem of impressive overall quality. The silky smooth fields display strong cartwheel lustre and a hint of pale olive. Sharply struck. Typically considered a "common" date and that may be so in lower grades, but at the gem Mint State level offered here, its rarity should not be underestimated.
PCGS Population: 2; 2 finer (MS-67 finest).
Date logotype lightly impressed and somewhat low, top of 1 twice the distance from truncation as bottom is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over center of dentil. S mintmark modest in size and nicely impressed, somewhat high in the die, equidistant from talon and tip of arrow feather which is about halfway down the S, mintmark tilted noticeably right, over space between E and N, mainly over N.
From Stack’s sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 1141.
772 1900 MS-63. Lustrous rose-gold with satiny surfaces and strong eye appeal for the grade. Nicely struck.
Date logotype nicely impressed and centrally located both horizontally and vertically.
Purchased from Julian Leidman, October 28, 1971.
773 1901 MS-64. A delightful, satiny example of the date and grade. Highly lustrous honey gold with pale olive highlights. Sharply struck.
Date logotype well impressed and well centered, slightly left on the horizontal plane, left edge of lower serif of first 1 over right side of dentil.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of January 1972, Lot 1654.
774 1902-S MS-64. Intensely lustrous honey gold with rich orange-gold highlights. Nicely struck. A lovely representative of the date and grade.
Date logotype nicely impressed and centrally located both horizontally and vertically. S mintmark thin and shapely, equidistant from talon and tip of arrow feather, tip of arrow feather opposite upper serif of S, mintmark located over space between E and N below, slightly closer to N. Faint die cracks can be seen at STAT, and OF, with other faint cracks from each wing tip to the dentils above.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, September 7, 1971.
775 1902-S MS-63. Intense lustre on bright honey gold surfaces. Nicely struck.
From the same dies as the preceding lot.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, February 7, 1972.
Choice Mint State 1903 Eagle
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776 1903 MS-64. Strong cartwheel lustre on satiny honey gold surfaces. Traces of iridescent orange-gold and rose heighten the overall appeal of this scarce Philadelphia Mint issue. A pleasing coin overall.
Date logotype somewhat low, top of 1 twice the distance from truncation as bottom is from dentils, left edge of lower serif over right edge of dentil.
From Stack’s sale of the Miles Collection, October 1968, Lot 778.
Superb Gem Uncirculated 1904 Eagle
Condition Census
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777 1904 MS-66 (PCGS). A satiny honey gold gem with intense cartwheel lustre. Richer golden highlights gather at the rims, and a splash of bright iridescent violet can be seen at the ninth obverse star, with another splash of violet seen at the final A in AMERICA on the reverse. Sharply struck. Much rarer in Uncirculated than its sizeable mintage of 161,930 circulation strikes indicates. At the gem Mint State level, as offered here, the date is incredibly rare. In fact, PCGS has certified just one example of the date higher than the present specimen. Another splendid Condition Census rarity for the attentive bidder.
PCGS Population: 1; 1 finer (MS-67).
Date logotype nicely impressed, centrally located horizontally and vertically, left edge of lower serif of 1 over space between dentils. Reverse die crack at tops of ITED to wing tip. A raised die line runs from the D in UNITED to the underside of the eagle’s wing; several others can be seen from the eagle’s beak to the scroll. Another prominent line runs horizontally from the right side of the second S in STATES toward the O in OF, where it dips at a right angle before reaching the O, then terminates at the top of the scroll between U and S of TRUST.
Purchased from Bill Raymond, February 29, 1972.
Choice Mint State 1905 Eagle
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778 1905 MS-64. Highly lustrous honey gold. Sharply struck. A rarity when so finely preserved.
Date logotype firmly impressed, slightly left but central, left edge of lower serif of 1 over center of dentil.
Purchased from Julian Leidman, February 16, 1972.
779 1906 MS-63. Lustrous honey gold with olive highlights.
Date logotype firmly impressed, somewhat high, bottom of 1 twice the distance from dentils as top is from truncation, left edge of lower serif over space between dentils.
From Stack’s sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 1160.
Impressive Gem Mint State 1906-O $10
Tied for Finest Graded by PCGS
Final New Orleans Mint Eagle
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780 1906-O MS-66 (PCGS). A satiny and highly lustrous gem example of the final issue of the denomination from the New Orleans Mint. Deep splashes of iridescent orange and a whisper of rose add immensely to the overall appeal of the coin. A Condition Census rarity, easily among the finest known of the date. David Akers wrote highly of the date in 1980, noting: "Choice and especially gem quality Uncirculated specimens are rare and seldom encountered. In my opinion, this date and the 1899-O should command much more of a premium over the other late date O-Mint issues than they currently do." It is entirely fitting that the offering of Coronet eagles in the Harry Bass Collection ends with this stunning branch mint gem.
PCGS Population: 2; none finer.
Date logotype firmly impressed and centrally located both horizontally and vertically. O mintmark sharp and somewhat high, set in the area between the talon and olive branch, equidistant from both, centered over space between E and N below. Raised diagonal die lines can be seen among TAT, OF, and RIC in the reverse legend.
From Stack’s sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 1163.
Choice Mint State 1908-D $10
No Motto
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781 1908-D No Motto. Indian. MS-63 (PCGS). This amazing example has satiny orange-gold lustre with hazy deep yellow toning. Extremely sharp strike. David Akers rated this as 12th rarest among 32 Indian eagle varieties. He further suggested that this is an underrated issue, especially in light of the circumstance that very few truly attractive examples are known.
Purchased from Julian Leidman, May 30, 1972.
Impressive Gem 1908 With Motto $10
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782 1908 Motto. MS-65 (PCGS). Nearly flawless yellow gold surfaces with outstanding satiny greenish gold lustre. Although not fully struck, this has very sharp design definition and exceptional aesthetic appeal. A gem for the connoisseur.
From RARCOA’s sale of the Kaufman Collection, August 1978, Lot 908.
Choice 1910 Indian $10
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783 1910 MS-64. This is a common issue for the type collector. Exceptional soft frosty yellow gold lustre with a whisper of hazy green toning. A pleasing example.
Superb Mint State 1910-S Eagle
Finest Certified by PCGS
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784 1910-S MS-66 (PCGS). Absolutely radiant pinkish gold with satiny lustre and hazy bluish toning on the obverse. Sharply struck with every detail fully defined. There are many superlatives we could choose to help described this coin. We will simply suggest that this is a superb gem example and let the bidder’s imagination take over.
Although 811,000 were struck, third highest mintage of the series, this issue ranks 11th rarest of 32 issues in Mint State, and fifth rarest in MS-64 or finer quality. David Akers described this as one of the unsung major rarities in the series with only six to eight gems surviving.
PCGS Population: 2; none finer.
Purchased from Hank Rodgers, September 21, 1972.
785 1911-D AU-58 (PCGS). Satiny deep yellow gold lustre with just a hint of rubbing on the very highest points. Just 30,100 minted places this at the top of the class for low-mintage issues, lowest in the entire series. An important rarity, although in this grade not exceptionally high priced. An outstanding opportunity for the date, type, or pedigree collector.
Acquired from Stanley Kesselman in trade.
Superb Gem 1913-S Indian $10
Finest Certified by PCGS
Probably the Finest Known
Akers: "Rarest Mint State Indian $10"
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786 1913-S MS-66 (PCGS). A fantastic, sharply struck gem with exceptional satiny deep yellow gold lustre. A trace of greenish toning is present. The surfaces are virtually flawless. Just 66,000 examples were minted. Not only is this among the lowest mintage Indian eagles, but David Akers describes this as the single rarest issue in Mint State.
Gold authority David Akers is familiar with this coin, and states: "Harry Bass’ specimen, bought across the counter by a Dallas dealer in the early 1970s, is superb (MS-67 or better!) and fully lustrous and is probably the finest known." He further stated that there are no more than half a dozen known examples in MS-64 or better.
While Harry W. Bass, Jr., did not specialize in $10 pieces—that is, he didn’t acquire them in quantity and study them in detail, simply because the date logotypes are not different from year to year—the pieces he did acquire were certainly memorable!
PCGS Population: 1; none finer.
Purchased from Mike Follett, November 21, 1974.
