1845 $2 1/2 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC....

Description

Ultra Cameo PR67 1845 Quarter Eagle
Finest of Three Confirmed
The Trompeter Specimen

1845 $2 1/2 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC. A magnificently preserved specimen of early (pre-1858) U.S. proof coinage, stunningly contrasted between sharply struck, thickly frosted devices and gleaming fields that shift between pale yellow and reflective "black" depending on the angle to the light. Newly holdered, this piece shows several pedigree markers suggesting that it is the Trompeter coin (see rosters below): a small planchet flaw at star 11 on the obverse rim, a similar planchet flake in the space off the upper left (facing) corner of the eagle's shield on the reverse, and the two small, straight lines under the second S in STATES that preclude an even finer designation.
At least four gold proof sets were struck by the U.S. Mint in 1845, though the reasons for striking and intended recipients are unknown. With an 1845 proof quarter eagle in the Mint Cabinet (later the National Numismatic Collection) and this piece being discovered along with the other coins in a gold proof set in England in the 1970s, there is appreciable evidence that at least one of the sets was meant for a diplomatic visitor, though said evidence largely is circumstantial.
Also unknown is the number of survivors. Based on the existence of at least four proof 1845 eagles and the fact that two of the three confirmed proof 1845 quarter eagles were found in complete proof sets (the third being the Mint Cabinet/National Numismatic Collection specimen), it is logical that a fourth (or possibly even fifth) proof 1845 quarter eagle might survive. Garrett and Guth (Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins) and the PCGS Population Report both list "4 or 5" survivors, and indeed there are four certification events in the combined certified population, though the pattern of certification events (a PR67 Cameo and PR67 Ultra Cameo for NGC against a PR65 and PR65 Deep Cameo for PCGS) suggests crossover duplication. For now, though, here are the identified proof 1845 quarter eagles and their known histories.

Roster of Known Proofs:

1) The present coin. Part of a three-piece gold proof set. An "English bank vault," stored for "more than a century" (per next source); Williams Collection Sale (Bowers and Ruddy, 9/1979), lot 1815; Ed Trompeter; Dennis Mendelson Collection Sale (Superior, 2/1991), lot 2595; Bowers and Merena (7/2004), lot 3024; ANA National Money Show (Heritage, 4/2006), lot 1689. Currently graded PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC; was PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC for past two auction appearances.

2) Mint Cabinet; National Numismatic Collection (Smithsonian Institution). Estimated as "PR66 Deep Cameo" in the Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins.

3) Part of a three-piece gold proof set. Colonel E.H.R. Green; J.F. Bell; "A Memorable Sale of U.S. and Territorial Gold Coins" (Abe Kosoff, 3/1948), lot 105; John Jay Pittman (referred to as an "upstate N.Y. specialist collection" by Walter Breen); John Jay Pittman Collection, Part Two (David Akers, 5/1998), lot 1711; Minning Collection Sale (Bowers and Merena, 8/1999), lot 2149. Graded PR65 NGC in 1999.

A) Lorin G. Parmelee; William H. Woodin; Waldo Newcomer; Burdette G. Johnson. Linked with entry 1 by Bowers and Merena cataloger.

B) Rumored B. Max Mehl. Breen (in his Proof Encyclopedia, 1977) reports the late Floyd Starr as telling about Mehl handling an example, though skepticism is warranted.(Registry values: P8)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2878, PCGS# 97871, Greysheet# 8425)

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

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.

View Certification Details from NGC