1897 $10 PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. JD-1, High R.5....

Description

1897 Liberty Eagle, PR66 Deep Cameo
Single-Finest Certified at PCGS
Only 79 Examples Struck

1897 $10 PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. JD-1, High R.5. Ex: Simpson. Only 79 proof Liberty eagles were struck in 1897, to accompany a large business-strike mintage of just over 1 million pieces. The proofs were delivered throughout the year in quarterly batches of 28, 13, 10, and 28 pieces. A single die pair was used to strike all the proofs. The obverse shows the date repunched and the last clear stripe in the shield is nearly filled with polish on the reverse. These diagnostics make it possible to differentiate between proofs and prooflike business strikes. This was the only use of both dies.

The leading grading services list 33 certification events in their population data (20 at PCGS and 13 at NGC as of 11/21), but those figures are almost certainly inflated by resubmissions and crossovers. PCGS CoinFacts estimates the surviving population at 35-45 examples in all grades, but John Dannreuther gives a smaller assessment, at 30-35 specimens extant. In his standard series reference, United States Proof Coins, Volume IV: Gold, Dannreuther provides a roster of 10 Significant Examples that have been reliably traced, with this coin occupying the number 2 position in the listing. Two of the coins traced are now in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution and a third is in the collection of the American Numismatic Society.

Proofs of the late 1890s are among the finest ever produced by the United States Mint, but few survivors can match the quality and eye appeal of the coin offered here. The present coin is a spectacular Premium Gem proof, with razor-sharp definition on all design elements. The richly frosted devices contrast profoundly with the deeply mirrored fields to create an intense gold-on-black cameo flash when this coin is tilted in the light. The vivid yellow-gold surfaces are impeccably preserved and show the textured orange-peel effect seen on many of the best 19th century proofs. Eye appeal is terrific. This coin is pictured on PCGS CoinFacts and is the plate coin in John Dannreuther's United States Proof Coins, Volume IV: Gold. Population: 1 in 66 Deep Cameo, 0 finer (11/21).(Registry values: P1)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28G4, PCGS# 98837, Greysheet# 9710)

Weight: 16.72 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.

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