1904 $5 PR67 Cameo NGC....

Description

Stunning 1904 Liberty Half Eagle, PR67 Cameo

1904 $5 PR67 Cameo NGC. This Superb Gem proof has stunning mirrored fields and impressive design definition, with bright and pristine surfaces. Both sides are light yellow with lustrous lemon-yellow devices. The devices retain considerable frost, although a polished area around the eye is typical of nearly all survivors. Despite certification of a single finer piece, the present example is undoubtedly one of the best that any collector could hope to acquire.
Just 136 proof half eagles were coined in 1904. Survival estimates fall in the range of 50 to 75 coins, and less than half of that number have strong cameo contrast. At the beginning of the 20th century, Mint officers concluded that cameo contrast on proof coins was undesirable, much the opposite of numismatic opinion today. As a result of their beliefs at the time, few proof coins had any contrast, and such cameo proofs are rare and highly desirable today. For proof half eagle issues of 1902 through 1907, NGC and PCGS combined have certified 361 normal proofs, 203 Cameo proofs, and exactly one Ultra Cameo proof. Regarding the 1904 issue, Garrett and Guth comment, "Most of the coins seen are deeply mirrored, and they lack the frosted devices seen on most of the examples struck before 1902. Although a few superb coins are known, most of the coins grade PF-64 at best." The average NGC and PCGS certified grade is just 63.4. Studies for other denominations would undoubtedly yield similar results.
Many important collections include an example of this proof half eagle issue, but almost invariably in much lower grade than the present piece. The Smithsonian Institution has two examples, PR64 Cameo and PR63 Cameo. Harry Bass owned a coin that PCGS certified as PR65. The Eliasberg coin is similarly graded. The Norweb, Pittman, and Garrett coins are each about PR64, and the Trompeter Collection coin graded PR63. Census: 4 in 67 Cameo, 1 finer (6/09).
From The Wisconsin Gold Type Set Collection.(Registry values: P1)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28DA, PCGS# 88499, GSID# 9297)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 8.36 grams
AGW: 0.24188oz

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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