1885 $3 JD-1, High R.4, PR65 PCGS. CAC....

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1885 Three Dollar, PR65
Frosty Example of an Enigmatic Issue

1885 $3 JD-1, High R.4, PR65 PCGS. CAC. The fields are deeply reflective on each side and contrasted with rich yellow-gold. The design details are complete throughout.

Only 110 proofs were struck this year, all from a single die pair. Interestingly, the same reverse die appears to be used for the year's 800 circulation strikes, an unusual occurrence for post-1840 gold. However, the Mint's die destruction document indicates that the circulation strike and proof reverse dies are separate, even though there is no difference in date position between the two. To account for this conundrum, John Dannreuther suggests in his book on proof gold that a dated master die and working hub were used, a hypothesis he also proposed for the gold dollar production of this year, which similarly records five reverse dies with no difference in date placement. Whatever the reason, the obverse must be used to differentiate circulation strike from proof 1885 three dollar gold pieces. Luckily, all circulation strikes are found rotated 10 degrees counterclockwise, facilitating identification.
Ex: The Gibney Family Collection / Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2021), lot 5112.
From The Mark George Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 106636, Base PCGS# 8049)

Weight: 5.02 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

View all of [The Mark George Collection ]

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