1880 $3 PR65 Cameo NGC. CAC....

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Gorgeous Gem Cameo Proof 1880 Three Dollar

1880 $3 PR65 Cameo NGC. CAC. The mintages of the two chief varieties for the 1880 three dollar gold piece are compellingly low. A mere 1,000 business strikes were coined, and proof production was a mere fraction of that total, with a tiny emission of 36 pieces. In 2005, Q. David Bowers and Douglas Winter estimated that 24 to 30 proofs left the Mint and actually escaped the melting pot, though not necessarily other attrition. Walter Breen, in his 1988 Encyclopedia, was typically less conservative, and stated, "possibly 20 survive." It is impossible to estimate survivors from published third party population data, since numerous resubmissions have obfuscated the truth over the past two decades.
While a number of later proof three dollar gold issues can make telling them apart from business strikes challenging, for the 1880, proofs are readily distinguished by a pair of raised die lines that intersect beneath Liberty's eye, sometimes referred to as a "teardrop". Additional diagnostics include a small rust spot in Liberty's lower hair and a faint die crack close to the tip of Liberty's nose.
For the 19th century proof gold specialist, few representatives of the issue could match the raw eye appeal of this striking Cameo exemplar. Powerfully mirrored, primarily sun-gold fields show occasional yellow-orange and carrot accents, while the exactingly struck, richly frosted devices supply remarkable contrast. The surfaces are carefully preserved overall, and only a few occasional elements of alloy are visible under magnification. One of three Cameo Gems graded by NGC with just two specimens numerically finer (6/08).
From the Duffy Collection.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28AN, PCGS# 88044, Greysheet# 8749)

Weight: 5.02 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

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