1921 $1 Peace, Satin Finish PR(PCGS#7382)

August 2019 ANA U.S. Coins Auction Rosemont, IL

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

5266

等级

PR64

价格

487,037

详细说明

Exquisite Satin Proof 1921 Peace Dollar A Rare and Enigmatic Issue 1921 Peace Silver Dollar. High Relief. Satin Proof-64 (NGC). OH. CAC. Struck from carefully prepared dies on the Mint's medal press, this gorgeous Satin Proof 1921 Peace dollar displays sharp definition to even the highest elements of the design in and around the centers. The degree of detail evident on these coins is superior to that usually obtainable in a business strike 1921 Peace dollar, even one that has received an uncommonly sharp strike from the dies. In addition to the central high points, the obverse lettering and the reverse rays are in very high relief on these satin finish Proofs. The surfaces exhibit the characteristic bright, satiny texture with a modestly semi-prooflike finish. Close inspection with a loupe reveals swirling die polish lines in the fields, most significantly on the obverse at the word WE and on the reverse above the word ONE and contiguous to many letters in the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Both sides are overall smooth in hand, a few wispy handling marks on Liberty's cheek seemingly the only impediments to a full Gem grade. Lightly toned in iridescent silver-rose, a few blushes of bolder reddish-olive iridescence on the reverse further enhance already strong eye appeal. Among the more enigmatic Proof Peace dollars, the satin finish 1921 is a very difficult coin to properly attribute. The Mint struck these coins using the same dies that it eventually used to produce certain circulation strike 1921 Peace dollars. As such, it can be difficult to distinguish a true Satin Proof 1921 Peace dollar from an uncommonly well made and carefully preserved business strike. Even so, some specimens are undeniable Satin Proof strikings of the 1921 Peace dollar, the present specimen included. These coins were struck on the Mint's medal press from carefully prepared dies for presentation to government officials and other persons important to the Peace dollar design process. In this the Satin Proofs share a common origin and purpose with the Sand Blast Proof 1921 coins, and both types were probably prepared at the same time during the last few days of that year. The mintage figure for the Satin Proofs can only be estimated based on the number of specimens extant as this issue is not mentioned in the mint director's report for 1921. It also seems likely that the Mint did not make these coins available for purchase by the contemporary public; at very least the issue was unknown to the public at large at the time of striking. The Satin Proof 1921 Peace dollar was also unknown to the numismatic community until 1975, when Walter Breen authenticated the discovery specimen at that year's ANA Convention. The large amount of time that elapsed since the creation of these coins and their numismatic discovery is easily explained if we keep in mind two previously presented points. First, the Satin Proof 1921 is not a regular issue and was not widely publicized at the time of striking. Second, Satin Proof silver dollars of this date can be difficult to distinguish from well made business strikes, so it is easy to understand how the special status of these pieces was overlooked by earlier generations of collectors. The Satin Proof 1921 is not quite as rare as the Sand Blast variant, although properly attributed pieces are still major numismatic rarities in an absolute sense. We believe that fewer than 15, if not 10 different 1921 Peace dollars exist that are undeniable Satin Proofs. This lot includes a letter from Walter Breen on First Coinvestors, Inc. letterhead dated May 7, 1980 in which Breen authenticates this coin as a "genuine Satin Finish Proof 1921 Peace Dollar." The letter is available to the winning bidder upon request to Stack's Bowers Galleries at the close of the auction. NGC Census: 7; 4 finer (Proof-66 finest). PCGS# 7382. NGC ID: 2UAU. Click here for certification details from NGC.