1861 $5 PR66 Cameo NGC. JD-1, R.7....

Description

1861 Liberty Five, PR66 Cameo
Single-Finest Certified Example
Ex: Ten Eyck-Eliasberg-Trompeter

1861 $5 PR66 Cameo NGC. JD-1, R.7. Ex: Trompeter. Despite the reported mintage of 66 pieces, the 1861 Liberty half eagle is just as rare in proof format as many gold proof issues of the 1860s with much smaller production totals. In fact, most experts consider the 1861 proof half eagle the rarest issue of the series after 1859. Walter Breen notes at least 10 examples were melted in January of 1862, having gone unsold the previous year. It is possible that even more coins were never distributed, and some of those that were ended up being spent by their owners in the hard times of the Civil War. Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth opine, "It is doubtful if even 10 coins have survived of this very rare issue." NGC and PCGS together have certified only five coins in proof format (11/21). We have compiled a roster of the six coins known to us below, including one specimen in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution and another in the collection of the American Numismatic Society.

The coin offered here is the finest-known example by two full grade points. The design elements are sharply detailed, with full radials on all the stars and fine definition on the eagle's claws and feathers. The fields are deeply mirrored, setting off the frosty design elements in a stunning cameo effect. The surfaces are impeccably preserved, with a few microscopic planchet flakes above the eye and some toning near the dentils from 7 to 9 o'clock the only significant pedigree markers. This coin claims an illustrious history, having graced the famous collections of Louis Eliasberg and Ed Trompeter and overall eye appeal is terrific. Census: 1 in 66 Cameo, 0 finer (11/21).

Roster of 1861 Proof Half Eagles
1. PR66 Cameo NGC. James Ten Eyck Collection (B. Max Mehl, 5/1922), lot 227; John H. Clapp; Clapp Estate; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. in 1942, via Stack's; United States Gold Coin Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 500; Ed Trompeter; Heritage Auctions; private collection; ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2015), lot 4351; Bob R. Simpson Collection. The present coin.
2. PR64 Deep Cameo, grade by Garrett and Guth. Mint Cabinet; National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.
3. PR64 Cameo NGC. Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2008), lot 2453; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2018), lot 5042.
4. Brilliant Proof. Thomas Elder; purchased privately by Floyd T. Starr on 6/1/1937; Starr Collection (Stack's, 10/1992), lot 1206.
5. Brilliant Proof. Amon G. Carter Family Collection (Stack's, 1/1984), lot 679.
6. Proof. John Colvin Randall; J.P. Morgan; American Numismatic Society in 1908.

Additional Appearances
A. Proof. George F. Seavey, part of a complete minor, silver, and gold proof set probably purchased directly from the Mint in 1861; Seavey Descriptive Catalog (William Strobridge, 6/1873), lot 823; purchased, along with the rest of Seavey's collection, by Lorin G. Parmelee; Parmelee Collection (New York Coin & Stamp, 6/1890), lot 1318; H.P. Smith.
B. Proof. Mendes I. Cohen Collection (Edward Cogan, 10/1875), lot 248, part of a six-piece gold proof set; Thomas Cleneay; Cleneay Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, 12/1890), lot 409; M.A. Brown Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, 4/1897), lot 98.
C. Proof. David S. Wilson Collection (S.H. Chapman, 3/1907), lot 321, part of a partial proof set of the year bought in by S.H. Chapman.
D. Proof. F.C.C. Boyd; World's Greatest Collection (Numismatic Gallery, 1/1946), lot 415; Jacob Shapiro (aka J.F. Bell); Memorable Collection (Numismatic Gallery, 3/1948), lot 361; possibly King Farouk; Palace Collections of Egypt (Sotheby's, 2/1954), lot 254; Hans Schulman.
E. Proof. William Cutler Atwater Collection (B. Max Mehl, 6/1946), lot 1682.
F. Proof. Auction Sale (New World Rarities, 5/1998), lot 109, catalog not available for comparison.
G. Proof. A specimen purchased by Virgil Brand from S.H. Chapman in 1912 as part of a gold proof set.(Registry values: P5)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28BW, PCGS# 88451, Greysheet# 9168)

Weight: 8.36 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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