1891 $10 PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. JD-1, Low R.6....

Description

1891 Liberty Eagle, PR66 Deep Cameo
Tied for Finest Certified
CAC Approved

1891 $10 PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. JD-1, Low R.6. Only 48 proof Liberty eagles were minted in 1891, all struck from the same pair of dies. The obverse die has a small round lump between the letters L and I in LIBERTY. The reverse die shows a dull polished out area in the reflective field, just below the right end of the banner. There is also some mint frost extending into the field from the end of the banner. These diagnostics make it possible to distinguish between proofs and prooflike business strikes. Like most proofs of the 1890s, the 1891 eagles were extremely well-produced, with many examples exhibiting Cameo and Deep Cameo surfaces. Fortunately, the issue has a decent survival rate and John Dannreuther estimates the surviving population at 25 to 30 examples in all grades, including a few impaired specimens.

The 1891 proof eagles were popular with wealthy collectors of that era, who liked to update their gold collections by purchasing complete gold proof sets every year. Accordingly, most early auction appearances featured the coins as part of complete gold proof sets offered as a single lot. Lot 75 of the James B. Wilson Collection (Thomas Elder, 10/1908) was a typical offering, "1891 $20, $10, $5, $2 1/2. Complete set. 4 pcs." The lot realized $52.50, a typical price for that time period. Almost all original gold proof sets were broken up by the 1930s, with the proofs being offered individually after that time. We can find no public offering of any 1891 proof eagle grading better than PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC in our Auction Archives. That piece, in lot 3661 of our FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), realized $48,875. This PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS specimen should go much higher.

This delightful Premium Gem proof is tied with one other specimen at PCGS and a single PR66 Ultra Cameo example at NGC for finest certified honors at this contrast level (11/19). There is also one PR66+ Cameo specimen at NGC. This coin exhibits fully struck design elements, with razor-sharp definition on the strands of Liberty's hair and the feathers in the eagle's wings. The richly frosted devices stand out starkly against the deeply mirrored fields to create an intense cameo effect. The virtually flawless yellow-gold surfaces have the slight orange-peel texture seen on many high-quality proofs of this era and the eye appeal is simply terrific. This coin exhibits the highest available technical quality and eye appeal combined with absolute rarity and strong historic interest. We expect intense competition from series specialists and Registry Set enthusiasts when this lot is called. This coin is part of an assembled 1891 gold proof set, with the other coins from the set offered in the appropriate sections of this catalog.
From The Sakura Collection. (Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28FW, PCGS# 98831, Greysheet# 9692)

Weight: 16.72 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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