1908 $10

Description

NGC 1908 PR 67. In addition to being the first year the mint employed the matte proofing process for gold coins, 1908 was also the first year the inspired Saint-Gaudens' design for the ten-dollar gold piece was produced in the proof format. When first struck the previous year and in the first half of 1908 ten and twenty-dollar gold pieces lacked the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. This was omitted as President Roosevelt, who wished to make a break with many traditions of the past, believed that including the motto had only provided fodder for punsters who used the motto as a source for colloquial humor such as IN GOD WE TRUST; ALL OTHERS PAY CASH. Roosevelt was a deeply religious man and ordered the motto removed. Congress, however, had to bow to public demands to include the motto, and in the latter half of 1908 it was added again to ten and twenty-dollar gold coins and all proof tens of 1908 display the motto.
There were 116 proofs struck in this year, all but two of which have the distinctive dark finish, between a khaki and olive color. It is widely recognized that the 1908 is the most "common" date among the series of matte proof ten Indians. However, the number extant is not as large as one might at first believe. Not only did attrition take a heavy toll on this date, but the widespread distribution among non-collectors caused many of the surviving proofs of this date to be impaired, showing nicks, scratches, or shiny spots. Traditional sources state that somewhere between two and three dozen pieces exist today. However, we believe a larger number are extant, somewhere in the range of 40-55 coins.
This is a flawless rendering of Saint-Gaudens' design. The surfaces have the distinctive coarse grain matte finish unique to 1908, and there are apparently no post-striking impairments on either side. This is a beautiful coin in every respect and is apparently the second finest example known according to the March census data. This is the only Proof 67 certified by either service, and is excelled only by two Proof 68 coins also certified by NGC (4/94). An extraordinary and important matte proof gold coin.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 268E, PCGS# 8890, GSID# 9776)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 16.72 grams
AGW: 0.53oz
Mintage: 116

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.