1912 $10

Description

PCGS 1912 PR 66. Only 83 proof ten Indians were struck, and the 1912 stands as the premier rarity among the eight years proofs were struck. David Akers (1980) perhaps summed up the importance of this issue best when he wrote: "Proofs of this date are extremely rare, and in my opinion, are the rarest of the Indian Head type. The mintage would not indicate this but either the proofs of this year suffered an unusually high attrition rate for some reason, or most of the mintage were melted because the 1912 appears less often in proof than any other Indian Head. I doubt if more than 15-20 can be accounted for today, and only one has appeared at auction in over 25 years." We believe the number of survivors to be somewhat higher, but still a very modest 20-25 pieces.
Struck with the fine sandblast finish of the 1908 and 1911-15 proofs, this piece is somewhat deeper in color than the preceding NGC Proof 67 1911, with less of the mustard color and a bit more red and just a touch of underlying blue. Like the 1911, though, under magnification the matte finish shows innumerable sparkling facets from the random dispersal of light across the sandblast surface. As one would expect from a coin of this grade, there are no mentionable contact marks. The only ripples in the fabric of this lovely proof that could serve as identifiers for pedigree purposes are a small pinpoint of darker color on the lower neck of the Native American, a short, shiny streak on the obverse rim at 7 o'clock, and a tiny grease stain (as struck) tucked away in the upper feathers of the headdress.
With so few coins known today, it is not too surprising that this piece is one of the finest known. According to current (6/93) PCGS population data this coin is tied with three others (3 PCGS, 1 NGC) for second finest known, and is exceeded in condition by only one coin (a PCGS Proof 67). Obviously, a very rare and important offering of this key date matte proof ten.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26YD, PCGS# 8894, GSID# 9780)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 16.72 grams
AGW: 0.48375oz
Mintage: 83

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.

View Certification Details from PCGS