1912 $2 1/2 JD-1, R.4, PR66 PCGS....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Apr 29, 2026 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1912 Indian Quarter Eagle, PR66
Elusive Matte Proof Issue

1912 $2 1/2 JD-1, R.4, PR66 PCGS. The Philadelphia Mint struck 197 matte proof Indian quarter eagles on March 18, 1912, and those were the only coins of the issue struck that year in this format. Late in the first decade of the 20th-century, the Mint experimented with the finish of proof coins, including pieces with a satin finish and others with a matte finish. While a survey of today's collectors would show that the Satin Finish proofs of 1909 and 1910 are more popular, that was not the case at the time.
Members of the American Numismatic Association who attended the annual convention in 1910 resolved: "That the American Numismatic Association in convention assembled, respectfully requests the Director of the United States Mint to abandon the present style of striking gold proof sets and to resume that in vogue in 1908, when the gold proof coins were produced with a frosted effect." Contemporary collectors preferred the coins that we call matte proofs, and that style was resumed for gold proofs from 1911 to 1915.
As expected, this lovely golden-brown Premium Gem has finely grained matte surfaces and pinpoint detail throughout. The surfaces show a few trivial ticks that prevent a higher grade. A small area of faint reddish toning appears above the Indian's headdress.
Ex: Rarities Night (Stack's Bowers, 11/2022), lot 5082; Central States Signature (Heritage, 5/2023), lot 3213; Central States Signature (Heritage, 5/2024), lot 4542.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 106505, Base PCGS# 7961)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 4.18 grams
AGW: 0.13oz
Mintage: 197

View Certification Details from PCGS