1875 $10 PR50 NGC....

Description

1875 Ten Dollar, PR50
Important Popular Rarity

1875 $10 PR50 NGC. For the rarest classic gold dates, the business strikes and proofs of the same year often must be treated as a "package deal," as the proofs might be the vast majority of (or the only) high-grade representatives available. Such a conflation is perhaps at its most applicable with the various non-double-eagle gold issues of 1875, which share minuscule triple-digit mintages and low survival rates. Of the 1875 gold denominations, the eagle, which saw production of only 100 business strikes and 20 proofs, exemplifies the trend.

Any 1875 eagle is a significant rarity, of course, but because of the substantial difference in price between a business strike and an impaired proof, knowledge of diagnostics is useful. As noted by Walter Breen in his Proof Encyclopedia and by others, the single most identifiable marker of proofs can be found at the top left corner of the second vertical stripe, which is thin and weak on proofs but not on business strikes. In addition, proofs have a low and relatively well-centered date, whereas business strikes have the date shifted far to the right.

This PR50 representative, as an impaired proof, is perhaps the most accessible example of this date known to modern collectors. Though it remains broadly lustrous with clear pools of reflectivity in the protected areas, it shows clear light wear across the high points and a number of contact marks scattered across its yellow-to-orange surfaces, most visibly one down Liberty's cheek. Despite these faults, likely sustained after this proof was spent at a time of financial need, it retains a great deal of majesty. This is the first proof 1875 eagle to appear in a Heritage auction since 2007. Consider how many more years may pass until the next offering, and bid accordingly.
From the collection of Donald E. Bently, sold for the benefit of the Bently Foundation.(Registry values: P8)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28FD, PCGS# 8815, Greysheet# 9642)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 16.72 grams
AGW: 0.53oz
Mintage: 20

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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