1859 $1, CAM PR(PCGS#87002)

The March 2012 Baltimore Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

4125

等级

PR65

价格

181,137

详细说明

1858 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar. Proof-65 Cameo (NGC). A Proof only issue with a mintage of 210 pieces (the number of full silver sets made) or slightly more. As no related pieces were made for circulation, this became a classic rarity at the outset. Fully brilliant with boldly mirrored fields and high frost on the devices, which stand tall over the fields. Enough contrast to earn one of the few Cameo designations seen on this issue, and one of the finest seen as well. The strike is bold throughout, with sharp definition on all the design elements. Highly collectible as this Proof-only issue is a necessity for a date collection, the only coin with this solo Proof status from 1840 to 1873. The present piece is tied with one other coin at this level seen by NGC, with one more reported finer at the PR-67 Cameo level. PCGS has not graded any Cameo examples above PR-64. An exceptional coin for an advanced collection.<br /> <br /> <strong>Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers</strong><br /> Going back to the 1950s, I became very interested in pre-1858 Proof coins after reading Walter Breen&rsquo;s monograph on the subject, published by Wayte Raymond. The only other people besides Breen I could find interested in Proofs of this era were John J. Pittman and Emery May Holden Norweb. John and I had a back and forth discussion for several years as to whether there were restrikes made of the Proof 1858, which was a popular notion at the time. After quite a bit of study we both concluded that none had been made. <br /> Ever since that time this has been one of my favorite rarities. Not often is an example consigned to us in any grade, never mind a beautiful Gem Proof as here. While the future is unknown, I have every reason to expect that there will be fireworks when this comes up for bidding.<br />