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1844 10C PR64 NGC. Ex: Richmond College. The 1844

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:32,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1844 10C PR64 NGC. Ex: Richmond College. The 1844
<B>1844<10C> PR64 NGC.</B></I> Ex: Richmond College. The 1844 Proof dime is a legendary rarity among early silver proof coinage. It is rare in the absolute sense with only 6-8 pieces believed known, and it is also the beneficiary of many years of publicity from one Kansas City coin dealer, Frank Ross. Ross promoted the business strikes of this year, even to the point of nicknaming this issue "Little Orphan Annie." For whatever reason, the name stuck and business strikes are perceived to be much scarcer than other issues from the 1840s--sometimes the truth must take a back seat when telling a good story. The 1844 Proof dime needs no such publicity or hype. Its rarity is firmly planted in a real, rather than perceived, scarcity. As of June 2005, NGC and PCGS have each certified only three examples.<BR> We have tracked the auction appearances of eight coins that have been offered for public sale since 1971. It would appear that the piece offered for sale in this lot can be pedigreed to the coin included in the 1844 Proof Set of the John Jay Pittman Collection (lot 833) sold by David Akers Numismatics in October 1997. The blue, violet, gold, and russet toning on the present coin matches that described in the Akers catalog. The strongest evidence for this probable match, however, is a lint mark in the field below the right foot of E in STATES, which is described as such by Akers. The design elements are sharply struck in all areas, as one would expect from a proof. The surfaces are well preserved, revealing just a trivial, inconsequential mark on Liberty's chest, and another on the upper middle part of the right arm. This is a very rare opportunity for the proof specialist to acquire a coin that may not be offered again at public auction this decade. Population: 1 in 64, 1 finer (6/05).