1911 $5 PR67 PCGS Secure. CAC....

Description

1911 Indian Half Eagle, PR67
Rare Matte Proof
Only One Finer Coin at PCGS

1911 $5 PR67 PCGS Secure. CAC. Only 139 proof Indian half eagles were struck in 1911, and many of these probably went unsold and were melted after the end of the year. The Mint experimented with many proof finishes in the early years of the 20th century. The artistic, European flavor of proof coins of this era is much appreciated by collectors today, but it did not find favor with contemporary numismatists. In 1911, the Mint abandoned the Roman Proof finish used in the previous two years, and returned to the darker Matte Proof format. The coins exhibit a finely grained surface texture and exquisite sharpness of detail. Unfortunately, collectors continued to reject these innovations, as they preferred the old brilliant finish. The Mint finally abandoned gold proofs altogether after 1915.

Although the various proof finishes of this period were not widely popular the coins did appear on the secondary market at an early date. An early auction appearance of the 1911 proof half eagle was in lot 154 of the B.W. Smith Collection (B. Max Mehl, 5/1915):

"1911 New type with large Indian head; Rev. standing eagle. The entire design incused (stamped in). Sand blast proof."

The 1911 has grown steadily more popular over the years, and recent auction sales include the similarly graded PR67 PCGS example in lot 3531 of the Boston Signature (Heritage, 8/2010) that realized $80,500.

The present coin is a magnificent Superb Gem, with the typically well-struck design elements of this issue. The orange-gold matte surfaces are slightly granular and show no surface flaws whatsoever. The connoisseur of matte coinage will find this coin's appearance irresistible. Population: 5 in 67, 1 finer (10/15).
From The Leon Hendrickson Collection.(Registry values: N10218)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28E5, PCGS# 8542, Greysheet# 9335)

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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