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1874 $20 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC....
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Sold on Jan 7, 2015 for:
$211,500.00
Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder
Description
1874 Double Eagle, PR65 Ultra Cameo
20 Examples Struck, Fewer Than 10 Survive
Tied for Finest Certified, Ex: Trompeter
1874 $20 PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC. While circulation-strike
examples of the 1874 Liberty double eagle are relatively common
(366,780 mintage), proofs of this dated are extremely rare. Only 20
coins were struck, making this issue tied for the lowest number of
proof double eagles produced after 1858. Writing in the 2008
edition of their book Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins,
1795-1933, Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth say:"Today, fewer than 10 examples can be traced, including the two that are housed in the Smithsonian and the American Numismatic Society. At least one or two examples known are seriously impaired. The date has also been missing from many important collections offered in the last two decades, including the Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection, which was nearly complete. An NGC PR-64 coin (the coin offered here, now PR65 Ultra Cameo) sold at auction in mid-2004 for $103,500."
In addition to the appearance listed by Garrett and Guth above, the present coin also appeared in a Heritage sale three years ago, where it realized a record price of $218,500.
The experts are in close agreement about the rarity of this issue. David Akers states that, "Proofs of this date (1874) are among the rarest after 1860. Of the 20 minted, less than half can be accounted for today." Q. David Bowers estimates 8-10 pieces are still extant and Walter Breen suggests that, "Possibly 7-9 proofs survive."
The population figures indicate that a total of 10 1874 proof twenties have been seen by NGC and PCGS combined and none are certified finer than the present coin. Even though one other coin has been graded PR65 Deep Cameo at PCGS, it is hard to believe any example could match the stunning visual appeal of this specimen, which traces its history to the fabled Trompeter Collection. Writing about proof 1874 double eagles in their treatise entitled Type Two Double Eagles, 1866-1876: A Numismatic History and Analysis, Doug Winter and Michael Fuljenz state: "It is estimated that seven to nine of these exist today with the finest being a lovely NGC Proof-64 which is part of the Ed Trompeter Collection of United States proof gold coins."
Both sides of this gorgeous 1874 Gem Ultra Cameo are blanketed in attractive shades of peach-gold color, and the outstanding motif-field contrast assumes a gold-on-black appearance when the coin is viewed from directly overhead. A well-executed strike manifests itself in sharp definition on all of the design features, including the star centrils, Liberty's hair, the eagle's plumage, and the horizontal and vertical lines of the shield. An even higher grade is precluded by a few wispy obverse handling marks. A curved lint mark located beneath Liberty's eye may help to pedigree the coin. This outstanding example is sure to draw the interest of aficionados of gold coinage who want nothing but the best. As such, we expect spirited bidding on what is one of the finest certified 1874 proof double eagles. Census: 1 in 65 Ultra Cameo, 0 finer (11/14).
Ex: Amon Carter Collection (Stack's, 1/84), lot 899, where it realized $39,600; Ed Trompeter; Ed Trompeter Estate; Heritage Rare Coin Galleries; Philadelphia Bullet Sale (Heritage, 8/2000), lot 760, realized $51,750; Pittsburgh ANA Auction (Heritage, 8/2004), lot 7688, realized $103,500; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 5072, realized $218,500.(Registry values: P6)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26DT, PCGS# 99089, Greysheet# 10031)
Weight: 33.44 grams
Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
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.
Auction Info
2015 January 7 - 12 FUN US Coins Signature Auction - Orlando #1216 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
January, 2015
7th-12th
Wednesday-Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 11
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,692
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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