1898 $5 PR67 ★ Ultra Cameo NGC. CAC....

Description

1898 Five Dollar, PR67 ★ Ultra Cameo
Only 75 Pieces Struck
Ex: Trompeter

1898 $5 PR67 ★ Ultra Cameo NGC. CAC. Ex: Trompeter. According to Mint records, only 75 proof Liberty half eagles were struck in 1898, a slightly smaller mintage than the year before. Fortunately, the 1898 issue enjoyed a higher survival rate than most proof dates of this era, and the surviving population probably numbers 30-40 examples in all grades today, including several coins in institutional collections. The reasons for the high survival rate are unknown, but it may be that the lower mintage figure caused contemporary collectors to prize this date more highly than coins of surrounding years, preserving them when they disposed of other issues that they perceived as more common when hard times forced them to sacrifice some of their assets.

Heritage offered the then-finest-certified specimen of the 1898 proof half eagle in our Denver Signature Auction in August of 2006, which realized a record price of $115,000. At the time, we noted, "Perhaps only the Trompeter coin, described as a Superb Gem could possibly rival this piece." Nine years later we can only repeat our observation, as this magnificent specimen seems to match the quality and eye appeal of that coin in every respect. The design elements are fully detailed and the bright yellow-gold surfaces are virtually flawless. The date is slightly low and the eagle's beak is closed, with evidence of die polish between the arrow heads. The frosty devices seem to float on the deeply mirrored fields, which show the slight orange-peel texture of the very best 19th century proofs. Overall eye appeal is simply incredible. Census: 5 in 67 Ultra Cameo (1 in 67 ★ Ultra Cameo, 2 in 67+ ★ Ultra Cameo), 4 finer (5/15).
Ex: Ed Trompeter Collection; Heritage Auctions, circa 1998; private collection.
From The Ed Trompeter Collection of Proof $5 Liberties.(Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28D4, PCGS# 98493, Greysheet# 9280)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 8.36 grams
AGW: 0.27oz

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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