LOT #3536 |
Current Bid: $51,111
1895 $1 PR65 Cameo NGC. VAM-2....
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Description
1895 Morgan Dollar, Brilliant PR65 Cameo
Proof-Only Series Key
1895 $1 PR65 Cameo NGC. VAM-2. Like all things numismatic,
the enigma surrounding 12,000 "missing" 1895 Philadelphia
circulation strikes has grown in complexity throughout the years.
For a while, the lack of circulation strikes was simply taken for
granted despite Mint records indicating 12,000 pieces were struck.
Researchers concluded the business strike mintage was either a
clerical error or a meaningless accounting entry.In his 2006 article "Philly 1895 Morgan dollars" Roger W. Burdette re-evaluated Mint documentation and asserted that the pieces had, in fact, existed at one time. By combining several documents, including the Assay Commission's report and Mint records, he showed that the requisite blanks and dies were present for a single mintage of business-strike silver dollars on June 28, 1895, and he concluded that, save for a grand conspiracy involving falsehoods by both the Assay Commission and Mint personnel, the 12,000 Morgan dollars were indeed struck by the Philadelphia Mint in 1895. Burdette further concluded that if the small circulation mintage did exist, the coins were never paid out. Rather, the entire issue was melted under terms of the 1918 Pittman Act, when some 350 million silver dollars were converted into silver bullion. The lack of circulation strikes has remained absolute despite several pretenders, in part confirmed by the identification of four distinct 1895 proof die pairs used to confirm the proofs and help disqualify any so-called circulation strikes that occasionally pop up.
Glistening silver mirrors surround smoothly frosted devices on this obvious Gem Cameo proof. Flashy fields adorn this VAM-2 die pair, with the date slightly right, 1 centered over a dentil, and a discernible upward slant to the four-digit date. The strike is needle-sharp throughout the obverse and reverse. The 880-piece proof mintage is far short of the demand for this essential proof issue and this splendid example is sure to highlight any advanced collection. NGC Census: 21 in 65 Cameo, 35 finer (10/25).(Registry values: N7079)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 27ZR, PCGS# 87330, Greysheet# 7842)
Weight: 26.73 grams
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Auction Info
2025 November 13 - 14 US Coins Signature® Auction #1387 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
November
13th
Thursday
5:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
November
13th-14th
Thursday-Friday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
11 Days
11h 29m 4s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 26
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This lot is in: 2 -
Signature® Premier Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3464-3713) - 6:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, November 13, 2025.
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Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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