Numismatic experts estimate that only 25 of these proof examples were minted for use in Proof Sets of the year. John Jay Pitmman never acquired an 1845 Proof Half Dime for his collection despite years of searching. Pop is 2 with 1 graded higher. From the Richmond Collection and priced slightly above the Trends of $30,000 but below the PCGS Collectors Universe list of $40,000! Keep in mind that a Bowers and Merena auction brought $27,500 for a comparable coin in March of 1998. A richly toned coin with an overlay of turquoise.
The Washington Quarter was created to commemorate in 1932 the bicentennial of the birth of George Washington. A national contest was initiated with 98 entrants submitting 100 designs. Designs ranged in quality from amateurish to good, the exception being an outstanding work submitted by Laura Gardin Fischer designer of the Oregon Trail Memorial. Unanimously, the Commission chose Ms. Fraser\'s design but Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon strongly opposed Ms. Fraser\'s work. Ultimately, Secretary Mellon, known for his stubbornness and chauvinism, chose a boring and bland design by John Flanagan. The true key date in the series, the 1932-D, is scarce at this level with only one graded higher! Priced well below the Trends indicator of $28,000. this coin is considered a \"white\" specimen and extremely eye appealing.
The trials and tribulations in the infancy of all great nations can be easily documented by the early coinage of that nation. The United States of America is no exception. Congress, through the commission of the early Mint Director and Chief Engraver strived to depict the joy of freedom and liberty for which so many had fought by creating coins majestic and noble in appearance. The silver dollar was intended to be the cornerstone of America\\\'s coinage and it is with this intention that Robert Scot created his \\\"flowing hair\\\" design. The flowing hair is said to be Scot\\\'s symbolism for liberty. A two-year type, the \\\"flowing hair\\\" dollar was only produced in 1794 and 1795. The NGC population for our coin is 9/34 as compared to the PCGS pop of 36/72. Pair this coin with the slighlty less scarce 3 leaf variety we have available for a complete date set!
1862 saw the Civil war at its height with battles taking place at Shiloh, Harper\\\'s Ferry, Bull Run, Antietam and in December, Fredericksburg. Bloody and brutal, these battles cost both the Union and Confederacy thousands of troops. It is hard to believe that this numismatic treasure survived such a tumultuous time in American history! Deeply toned, with a color spectrum ranging from sunset to azure and turquoise, this coin has incredulous eye appeal!
A challenging issue in any grade as there were just 13,771 circulation strikes produced at the Dahlonega, Georgia facility. As with all of the Southern Mint gold, mint state specimens are scarce and quite in demand. Priced between the Trends for a Mint State 60 and Mint State 62 coin of $12,500 and $18,500 respectively! Combined population for NGC/PCGS is 12/25 with no coins graded higher than Mint State 63.
The 1872-CC is one of the rarest half eagles from the Carson City Mint. In this regard, Rusty Goe (2003) writes that survival percentage estimates are lower than any other date in the series, with less than 0.5% extant. Likewise, Goe states that:
\"At the turn of the 21st century, the 1872-CC is the only date in the Carson City half eagle series that has not had a specimen graded in Mint State condition by either PCGS or NGC.\"
Nearly a decade later neither service has yet to certify a Mint State specimen. This makes AU pieces such as the AU53 such a special offering. Attractive peach-gold coloration bathes both sides, each of which retains a good amount of luster in the recessed areas. As expected, the surfaces reveal a few small circulation marks, none of which are bothersome. The star radials are strong, as is the wing plumage, but the typically seen softness is apparent on portions of Liberty\'s hair and on the horizontal shield lines and adjacent neck feathers. Nevertheless, this specimen yields much better eye appeal than is characteristic of most surviving coins. Priced slightly below the Trends for a coin in the lesser AU50 grade! Pop is 10/18 combined NGC and PCGS. Photo to follow.
While the mintage is recorded at 84, it has been estimated by experts, that less than two dozen examples are known to exist in the Proof 1899 Double Eagle. If one considers the resubmissions to the grading services, even that figure would be considered too great. Regardless of the known existing specimens, few are as exceptional as this coin with a population of 1/3! It is interesting to note that the Smithsonian exhibit of Proof Double Eagles has multiple examples of most of the dates, but only one of the 1899! Stunning and almost flawless, this coin would be an exceptional addition to any high-end collection!
1907 $10 Gold Indian with Periods Wire Rim, NGC MS65
The \\\"wire rim\\\" ten dollar Indians and the MCMVII Ultra High Relief $20 Saint Gaudens collaboration to revamp the American coinage. In both cases, the coins were gorgeous, however, not practical for high volume release to the general public. A minimal number of both issues were produced by the Mint to appease the whim of President Roosevelt. Priced well below the Trends and Collector\\\'s Universe lists of $85,000, our specimen is quite stunning!
