Over the next few months we'll offer a superlative collection amassed over more than 5 decades by a top collector. The good news is that they come from a living estate, meaning he'll be with us for a long time to come.
Connected to the major numismatic dealers for 50 years, he's chosen the best...surface, strike, luster, eye appeal. All of his coins met rigorous CAC standards (except the few types that CAC will not look at), with many arguably in the very top of those rarified CAC populations. An 1876-S PCGS AU58 CAC Trade Dollar (since sold here) provides an example of his philosophy. He searched 30 years before acquiring the one in his set. It exhibits be best strike we've seen in a trade dollar, including a PF66 that we recently sold.
Almost all are the absolute best I've seen for type and date, some exhibiting stronger devices than similar examples certified at many levels higher. Though some show larger certified populations at PCGS, when CAC is considered, the family dwindles to 10% (plus or minus) of that number.
All but a couple are certified by PCGS, and there's something to appeal to collectors at every level, from a few hundred dollars up. Overall, it's a ultra rare chance to add fine coins to your collection that were curated over many decades by someone who knew what he was doing.