1891 $20, DCAM PR(PCGS#99107)

October 2018 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

2205

等级

PR66+DCAM

价格

1,337,230

详细说明

Phenomenal Proof 1891 Double Eagle Rarity Among the Finest Certified 1891 Liberty Head Double Eagle. JD-1, the only known dies. Proof-66+ * Ultra Cameo (NGC). A simply exquisite Gem that really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. Fully struck with razor sharp detail to even the most intricate design elements, the devices are further enhanced by billowy mint frost. The fields, on the other hand, are set apart with illimitable depth of reflectivity, the interplay between these areas and the devices readily upholding the validity of the coveted Ultra Cameo designation from NGC. Silky smooth in hand, and nearly pristine, this is an outstanding example of a famous Liberty Head double eagle rarity. The Philadelphia Mint produced a mere 52 Proof double eagles in 1891 using a single pair of dies that have recently become known as JD-1 (United States Proof Coins, Volume IV: Gold, by John W. Dannreuther, 2018). As with all issues in the Proof Liberty Head double eagle series, the 1891 is a major numismatic rarity at all levels of preservation. Dannreuther estimates that only 18 to 22 coins are extant, which estimate is actually a bit higher than those of contemporary Proof double eagle issues with similar mintages. The reason for this, in Dannreuther's words:"The 1,390 mintage of the circulation strikes [from the Philadelphia Mint that year] makes date pressure the primary reason that more 1891 Proofs have survived than for 1890 that had an almost identical production. This is a common theme for all United States issues with low circulation strike outputs. Collectors would not spend a Proof issue if they knew that other collectors would pay a premium for their coins or they could not easily replace their Proof with a commercial strike."Now as then, the low mintage and key date status of the circulation strike 1891 double eagle keeps demand for the surviving Proofs high among advanced gold enthusiasts. Of course, the Proof 1891 is an impressive rarity in its own right with examples seldom appearing on the open market. Indeed, this is one of the few examples that have passed through your cataloger's hands in in quite some time. Given that one of our more recent offerings was for an impaired specimen in NGC Proof-58 Cameo, the significance of this Condition Census premium Gem is beyond doubt. A highlight of the present sale that is sure to see spirited competition among advanced collectors. NGC Census: just 1; 3 finer in this category (Proof-68 * Ultra Cameo finest). The highest graded examples of this issue known to PCGS are at the Proof-66 Deep Cameo level. PCGS# 99107. NGC ID: 26EC. Click here for certification details from NGC.