Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1875 Description:1875 PR65 Ultra Cameo Trade $1 NGC. Type Two Reverse. The contrast of this essentially untoned Gem specimen is made  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1875 Description:1875 PR65 Ultra Cameo Trade $1 NGC. Type Two Reverse. The contrast of this essentially untoned Gem specimen is made all the more profound by the deeply mirrored fields which set up a "black" background against the white frost over the devices. The strike on this impressive early proof Trade dollar is fully eecuted over the central devices, while just a handful of the obverse stars come up a trifle short of complete. These earlier dates in the series are not touted like the higher mintage proof-only issues, but they are far more challenging in high grades. Census: 3 in 65 Ultra Cameo, 0 finer (3/09).Certification No.: 429745-004 NGC   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1882 Description:1882 PR67 Ultra Cameo Trade $1 NGC. From 1879 to 1885 only proof Trade Dollar strikings were made by the mint in  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1882 Description:1882 PR67 Ultra Cameo Trade $1 NGC. From 1879 to 1885 only proof Trade Dollar strikings were made by the mint in Philadelphia as the various mints were instead making large quantities of Morgan dollars. The proof Trade dollars were not eported as were the earlier business strikes and many subsequently were mishandled or lost. Yet specimens are available through the PR64 level though they are difficult to acquire in better condition.The design elements are equisitely struck with no areas displaying signs of weakness. Both sides reveal an Ultra cameo effect. As implied by the grade designation the surfaces on both sides are virtually perfect. Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman halted the production of business strike Trade dollars on February 22 1878 and thereafter the type was issued only in proof format. The coin was unneeded as beginning in 1878 the nation's mints were engrossed in manufacturing prodigious amounts of similarly unneeded Morgan dollars.The mintage of the 1882 is pegged at 1097 pieces a normal mintage for a proof issue of the era. The large production is eplained in Bowers' Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States: "There arose in 1879 and continued into 1880 a popular numismatic speculation (later etended to the general public). Word spread that certain coins were of low mintage and would become rare. The 'best' condition was considered to be Proofs (business strikes were not available in the trade dollar series). Emphasis was on nickel three-cent pieces and trade dollars both denominations of which were minted in record Proof numbers. A heightened interest developed in other Mint products as well especially patterns. Several years later this speculation would etend to regular issue Proof and business strike gold dollars."The short-lived fervor for proof pieces of the two years likely accounts for the eistence of numerous high-grade eamples. The present survivor of the 1882 issue could justifiably keep company with those legendary 1884 and 1885 Trade dollars although at a much lower price! NGC has certified only 2 finer.The surfaces are epectedly free of even the most trivial impairments.Certification No.: 1770477-00 NGC   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1878 Description:1878 7TF Reverse of 1878 S$1 PR64 Cameo NGC. A traditionally undervalued first year issue one a mere 200 proofs  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1878 Description:1878 7TF Reverse of 1878 S$1 PR64 Cameo NGC. A traditionally undervalued first year issue one a mere 200 proofs reportedly struck utilizing the "seconnd reverse" many of which have been cleaned or impaired over the years. Fewer still possess the degree of contrast required of a cameo designation. This sparkling virtually untoned specimen boasts considerable eye appeal being etremely well mirrored with good Cameo contrast. Population: 3 in 64 Cameo 1 finer (11/05).Certification No.: 2198790-003 NGC   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1879 Description:1879 $1 PR66 Cameo NGC. Like many early proof issues in the Morgan Dollar series, the second-year 1879 was not well  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1879 Description:1879 $1 PR66 Cameo NGC. Like many early proof issues in the Morgan Dollar series, the second-year 1879 was not well preserved by numismatists and others over the years. A fair percentage of the surviving eamples are cleaned or otherwise impaired, while numerous others possess enough hairlines to preclude a grade any higher than Proof-64. It is with a keen sense of pride, therefore, that we offer this eceptional Superb Gem for the consideration of our bidders. Silky smooth in sheen with nary a detracting hairline or contact mark in evidence, the validity of the assigned grade is assured in our minds. A little bit of light, golden-silver tinting is noted, but one will have no difficulty appreciating bold field-to-device contrast. Fully struck, epertly preserved and sure to please even the most discerning numismatist.Certificate No.: 1777777-003 NGC   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1872 Description:1872 G$1 PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. Although generally not given any notoriety within the series the 1872 gold dollar is  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1872 Description:1872 G$1 PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. Although generally not given any notoriety within the series the 1872 gold dollar is a significant rarity both as a high grade business strike and as a proof. The mintage of the latter and the focus of our attention here originated at just 30 pieces with attrition diminishing the total etant to less than 20 coins. Both sides ehibit an eactness of strike and beautiful orange-gold color that quickly identify it as a proof. There is a small lamination by the U in UNITED and a paper-thin disturbance on the cheek is debatably mint-caused.Population: 1 in 65 0 finer 5 finer at NGC (11/06).   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1876 Description:1876 G$1 PR64 Deep Cameo PCGS. The 1876 date is among the rarest of the Type Three gold dollars from the  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1876 Description:1876 G$1 PR64 Deep Cameo PCGS. The 1876 date is among the rarest of the Type Three gold dollars from the Philadelphia mint. Mintage records show production of only 3,200 business strikes and 45 proofs in this Centennial year, compared to 20 proof gold dollar strikings in both 1875 and 1877. Some numismatic researchers speculate that the larger proof mintages were perhaps due to an anticipated increased demand for a memento of the U.S. Centennial. With such a low mintage, numismatists are not surprised that many business strike 1876 gold dollars are found semiprooflike or fully prooflike. The present eample, however, is an unmistakable proof. The devices are phenomenally frosty, forming an etreme, deep "gold on black" contrast against the highly mirrored proof fields. Yet another obvious diagnostic attesting to this coin's proof status is the superlative strike, making bold devices that are often sadly lacking on business strikes. These include the obverse highpoint hair curls and headdress plumage and, on the reverse, a full wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and other flora. Finally, the date and ONE DOLLAR are completely and boldly struck up, showing no trace of the central weakness (a function of their presence opposite those aforementioned hair curls above Liberty's ear) that business strikes often demonstrate. Because of its superlative eye appeal, NGC has bestowed its coveted "Star" designation to this enchanting piece. NGC lists eight higher in the Ultra Cameo designation, while PCGS records a single specimen in PR64 Deep Cameo 8/08.Certification No.: 10464294 PCGS   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1884 Description:1884 $5 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC. The 1884 half eagle is considered one of the underrated issues in proof format due to  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1884 Description:1884 $5 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC. The 1884 half eagle is considered one of the underrated issues in proof format due to its sheer rarity. Breen in both his Encyclopedia of United States Proof Coins and Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins considered the number of pieces etant to be fewer than a dozen calling it "etremely rare" and "one of the great sleepers" in the former tome. Garrett and Guth in their Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933 state that fewer than 20 are known in all grades. The major grading services have combined to certify a total of siteen pieces likely including resubmissions and at least three are in museums and permanently off the market. Perhaps more importantly to the collector interested in acquiring such a piece proof 1884 half eagles are rarely offered at auction at all in any grade. The last record of one having sold in public auction belongs to the Bass specimen a Proof 65 piece in November 2000. A Proof 64 Deep Cameo piece appeared in our 2003 Spring ANA auction but did not sell. Breen's diagnostics of proof 1884 half eagles include a die scratch slanting up from the right base of the T in LIBERTY and a rust pit on the lower end of the upright of 1 between and above the serifs. Both are clearly present on this coin.Of course if there were any doubt about this coin's proof status they would be allayed by the sheer visual effect this coin possesses. It is a vivid black on bright gold in appearance with deeply mirrored orange peel surfaces giving way to smoothly frosted devices. The strike is complete and only a few slight marks in the fields appear to determine the Proof 65 grade. For pedigree purposes this piece appears to have a tiny planchet flake below Liberty's hair bun. No coins of this date have yet received a higher grade with deep contrast and only a single Proof 66 (Registry values: P4) piece eceeds this Gem's numerical grade. For the serious gold collector this is an opportunity that may not soon be repeated.Population 1 in 66 Ultra Cameo none finer (8/08).Certificate No.: NGC 2141417-001   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1878 Description:1878 $20 PR64 Cameo NGC. In all grades and all designations PCGS and NGC have combined to grade just 14 proof 1878  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1878 Description:1878 $20 PR64 Cameo NGC. In all grades and all designations PCGS and NGC have combined to grade just 14 proof 1878 double eagles from a total mintage of just 20 coins. It is probably reasonable to estimate a true population of less than 10 coins for this issue. We are aware of eamples in the Smithsonian Institution and the American Numismatic Society. In addition to these both the Garrett and Eliasberg Collections included eamples and another was in the F.C.C. Boyd Collection. One additional eample appeared in the Bass Collection acquired from Stack's in 1973. The Bass specimen may or may not be the same as the Boyd eample. Most others that have appeared in auctions over the past 25 years are probably duplicates of the privately held coins discussed above. This is an impressive Cameo proof with etraordinary eye appeal. The central obverse and reverse designs are eecuted in bright yellow-gold with fully mirrored fields. The surfaces ehibit a few faint hairlines but none are of any significance. All of the design elements on each side are fully impressed. A visual treat. Census: NGC 5 in 64 3 finer. PCGS 2 in 64 DCAM none finer. Of the 20 minted there have been a total of 13 submissions thus one can conclude that these coins have been resubmitted many times (07/08).Certificate No.: 3210246-003 NGC   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1892 Description:1892 $20 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC. Although the mintage of 93 coins is the second highest of any proof double eagle  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1892 Description:1892 $20 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC. Although the mintage of 93 coins is the second highest of any proof double eagle coined in the 1890s the related business strike mintage of this date was just 4430 coins the second lowest mintage of any date in the 1890s. This latter detail is an etremely important consideration as it limits the available supply for date collectors.This eample is an impressive Gem that features rich orange-gold color deeply mirrored fields and remarkable contrast. The devices are highly lustrous with frosty teture. Every design detail is sharply impressed with no sign of weakness on either side. A few faint hairlines limit the grade but do not change the aesthetic appeal of this lovely jewel.In the Pittman catalog David Akers discussed the difference between proof mintage and proof distribution an important concept that is worth repeating: "The 93 piece mintage figure for proof 1892 double eagles is misleading in the sense that it might give one the impression that proofs of this date are only moderately rare. However it is important to recognize that a mintage figure for any proof issue represents only the number struck not the number actually sold. It was common practice for the Mint to strike a number of proofs (how the figure was determined is not known) and then use this eisting supply to fill orders throughout the year. At year's end (usually January or February of the following year to be eact) the unsold pieces were melted. Now in 1892 it certainly was not very likely that 92 people were willing to pay $20.50 for a proof double eagle (face value plus a $0.50 'proofing' charge) and so it is probable that half or even fewer of the original mintage were actually distributed." Today only about 20 or 25 eamples are known and the only rivals to this eample that we recall are the Gem Pittman Collection coin (Registry values: P2) and the similar Gem eample in the Dallas Bank Collection.Proofs and business strikes were apparently produced from different die pairs. Proofs have the date logotype deeply impressed and just a trifle above center with the digit 1 slightly closer to the bust than the border. The date appears to slant slightly up to the right. Only 4,430 business strikes put pressure on this date and have caused the 1892 to be one of the most desirable Type 3 Double Eagles. Population: 5 in 66 Ultra Cameo none finer at both services (7/08).Certificate No.: 3210246-008 NGC   « Less

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1892 Description:1892 $20 PR65 Cameo NGC. Although not quite as rare as the Philadelphia issue from the preceding year the 1892 is a  More »

Country of Origin:USA Condition:Mint Year:1892 Description:1892 $20 PR65 Cameo NGC. Although not quite as rare as the Philadelphia issue from the preceding year the 1892 is a significant date within the Liberty double eagle series. The bulk of production this year was delegated to the half eagle and eagle denominations and only at the San Francisco facility was the production of double eagles pursued in earnest. A mere 93 proofs were originally produced in addition to only 4430 business strikes and the number of survivors in each category is far too small to satisfy today's ever-epanding group of gold collectors. Apparently more than half of the proof production went unsold and was melted at year's end or was eventually spent since proof double eagles did not carry a significant numismatic premium above their already significant face value until well into the twentieth century. As with all of the proof 1892 twenties we have been privileged to offer including the PCGS PR65 Deep Cameo that follows this specimen boasts appreciable contrast between the mirrored fields and the design elements. The color is a pleasing yellow-gold and the strike is eecuted with pinpoint precision. A thin veil of streaky haziness is seen over much of the reverse which may eplain why this elusive Gem Proof did not receive the Ultra Cameo designation. An important opportunity for the advanced double eagle specialist. Census: 1 in 65 0 finer (11/06).Certificate No.: NGC   « Less