1834 $5 Classic Head, Plain 4 PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC. CAC. First Head, McCloskey 1-A, HM-1, JD-2, R.7 as a Proof. ...

Description

1834 Classic Head, Plain 4 Five Dollar
PR63 Ultra Cameo
Incredible Early Gold Proof
First Head, McCloskey 1-A, HM-1, JD-2

1834 $5 Classic Head, Plain 4 PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC. CAC. First Head, McCloskey 1-A, HM-1, JD-2, R.7 as a Proof. Ex: Lisa L. The Classic Head gold coinage, introduced in 1834, removed E PLURIBUS UNUM from the reverse scroll and in other ways differed significantly from the previous Capped Bust coinage. The Mint produced a small number of proofs to celebrate the change, but it was clearly a tiny mintage; fewer still are known today. Pre-1838 proof gold is among the most elusive areas of U.S. numismatics, with the Classic Head pieces nearly on par in rarity with the earlier Capped Bust gold coins. Few proofs of any Classic Head gold issue are known today, and they are seldom offered at auction. Only a handful of times previously have we offered any proof Classic Head quarter eagles or half eagles. The Garrett-Guth gold reference notes that perhaps six pieces are known today of the proof 1834 Plain 4 half eagle. Those same authors list the issue as number 49 among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins.

This specimen presents a remarkable opportunity for type collectors or specialists in early U.S. proof coins. Like most known 1834 Classic Head half eagles, this example has the date irregularly spaced. The 1 and 3 are higher than the 8 and 4, and the date digits grow successively closer from left to right, with the left point of the 4 nearly touching the 3. The large 4 in the date is close to the curl, and the date is a so-called "fancy" or "script" 8, with a larger juncture of the loops than the loops themselves. On the reverse the denomination 5 D. has the 5 considerably higher than the D, which leans backward and left toward the numeral. The right-side loop of the D shows traces of recutting to the right of the final letter. The arrowheads are large; the lowest touches the second A in AMERICA. The second S in STATES shows recutting on the middle curve, and the eagle has a tongue.

Classic Head half eagle proofs of any date are rare. The 1834 issue is the most populous with eight examples recorded in John Dannreuther's United States Proof Coins, Volume IV: Gold. He continues to record three 1835 proofs, four 1836 proofs, one 1837 proof, and one 1838 that is better and called a Specimen. That total population of 17 examples includes four that are held in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, bringing the collectible population down to just 13 coins.
The highly reflective fields of this pretty greenish-gold example provide wonderful contrast with the deeply frosted devices, pleasingly so on both sides but a bit more intensely frosted on the obverse. The fields on each side reveal some scattered chatter from light contact, preventing a finer grade but hardly distracting. NGC has certified four 1834 proof half eagles that grade PR65, PR63 Ultra Cameo, PR63 Cameo, and PR62 (3/23).
Ex: ANA Signature (Heritage, 7/2008), lot 1963; FUN Signature (1/2012), lot 4872.
From The Blue Ridge Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# E2NF, PCGS# 98180, Greysheet# 8860)

Metal: 89.92% Gold, 10.08% Copper
Weight: 8.36 grams
AGW: 0.27oz

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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