To begin with, the importance of the 1851 $50 gold coins can scarcely be overemphasized. Ask any advanced collector of Territorial gold to name the most significant and memorable coinage design from the early California Gold Rush period, and the Humbert-U.S. Assay Office octagonal $50’s will likely be the first named. For many years, the 1851-52 Humbert-Assay Office fifties remained the only large octagonal gold coins struck under the auspices of the United States (in this case – provisional) Mint. Although later, California private coiners struck round $50 coins. The importance of these coins is such that even well-circulated examples are bid up to high levels by enthusiasts eager to lay hands on these colorful mementos of the Wild West, the Gold Rush, and the famous “Forty-Niners” who rushed to seek their fortunes in the fields of gold in 1848-49.
1851 “880” No “50’ Humbert $50
Offered at $155,000 delivered
1851 “887” Reeded Edge Humbert $50
Offered at $120,000
Or buy the pair for $270,000
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Though normally associated with hedonistic excess and debauchery, Nero’s first years were actually a relatively peaceful time in the empire. Nero began his rule at the tender age of 17 with much promise – his mother Agrippina Jr. was regent at first, until he began to assert his independence the following year. With the government largely in the hands of capable administrators like Seneca and Burrus, Rome enjoyed peace and prosperity for the first five years of Nero’s reign. Things began to take a turn south for his reign, however, with his involvement in the murder of his mother in 59 and the subsequent shedding of his key advisors Seneca and Burrus in 62 AD. He also divorced and executed his wife Claudia Octavia in that fateful year. So, at the age of 25, Nero had reconstructed his life, shedding moderating influences on his activities – he was now able to pursue his interests in acting, carousing, various persecutions, chariot racing and random sexual adventures – in short, he was becoming the Nero we all know and love.
Probably most shocking to the populace, however, was the Great Fire of 64 AD, where it was thought that Nero had started it to clear out large portions of prime Rome real estate to build his ostentatious palace. With much of Rome destroyed and his grand palace usurping the dwindling financial resources of the empire, conspiracies began to form against the emperor. His stage antics, poetry readings and singing and dancing had never been particularly well received by the populace, anyway, who not only viewed his talents as marginal, but also saw them as not dignified for an emperor.
Nero embarked on a “Grand Tour” of Greece in AD 67, where he participated in the Pythian, Nemean and Olympic Games – as Vagi notes, Nero was declared victor in the latter, even though he fell out of his chariot mid-way through the race!
With Imperial finances stretched to the limit with Nero’s excesses, the populace finally had enough and forced Nero to flee to his country villa on the outskirts of Rome. On June 9 of 68, surrounded by hostile soldiers, Nero uttered the famous dictum, “what a great artist we are losing”, and died in a murder/suicide situation. Not long afterwards, Rome descended into civil war.
Always conscious of his artistic portrayals on the coinage, Nero took special efforts to ensure favorable images and favorite musical themes, such as him playing the lyre. The austere portraits of his predecessors gave way to naturalistic poses and a realism previously unseen
An Extremely Fine aureus and an AU hemidrachm are on offer here today, providing splendid examples of his portraiture and reflecting the high artistry of his coinage in general.
Offered at $9,550 delivered
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Saint-Gaudens’ initial design for the Indian eagle did not include the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, but the inscription was added in 1908, creating a popular two-year design type. The 1907 issue is the go-to No Motto type-coin for many collectors. And that makes perfect sense, as it’s a first- year-of-issue of a two-year type.
Offered at $1,180 delivered
We can offer NGC x 5; PCGS x 25
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The 1892 double eagle is the last of the ultra-low-mintage dates in the Liberty Head series, struck to the extent of just 4,430 coins. Examples in any grade carry a premium over the common date, but this issue is especially rare in Mint State. A limited supply of About Uncirculated coins supplies the needs of most collectors. Sadly, you wouldn’t know it from our images, but this example is lustrous, flashy and semi-prooflike in appearance.
Offered at $12,100 delivered
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Double eagle production at the Carson City Mint declined drastically in 1878, when a meager mintage of 13,180 pieces was accomplished. The coins were released into circulation and fulfilled their intended purpose admirably in the hard-money economy of the western United States. The 1878-CC is one of the scarcest issues of the Carson City series today, both in terms of total number of coins known and high-grade rarity.
Offered at $14,950 delivered
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