LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2007 Jan (FUN) Heritage Signature Coin #422  / 

3121

1854 $3 PR63 Cameo PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:55,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 2.00 USD
1854 $3 PR63 Cameo PCGS.
<B>1854 $3 PR63 Cameo PCGS.</B></I> The recorded proof mintage of only 15 pieces appears to be on the low side, and it does not square with the fact that two different pairs of proof dies were employed. On one of these dies the ES in STATES is in a straight line, and the lettering is bolder and more deeply impressed into the die. On the other die the S is slightly lower than the E, and the lettering is not so deep. While it is possible that some catastrophic die failure occurred after one or a handful of pieces were struck, more likely is that the recorded mintage is erroneous ... or could restrikes have been made later? The Bowers <I>The United States $3 Gold Pieces 1854-1889</B></I> says, "On April 29, 1854, Mint Director James Ross Snowden sent 15 'specimens' of the new $3 to the secretary of the Treasury in Washington. Likely, these were Proofs." While there is no record of restrikes, this would certainly not be the only U.S. coin for which restrikes are suspected but unproven. As a one-year subtype (with small DOLLARS, 1854 only) and a first-year issue, perhaps the subsequent demand for proof examples required the striking of extra pieces beyond the original 15 coins. Various Mint personnel working there in the 1850s were far from averse to making "on-demand" issues when the correct bell was rung. But this is mere speculation. What is not speculation is that the current NGC/PCGS population data show 12 examples of the 1854 in all grades, including a couple of circulated proofs. This coin is one of two PR63 Cameo proofs at PCGS, with two finer, both PR64 Cameo. A single coin at PCGS has also attained the PR64 Cameo rank, with none finer (12/06).<BR> The present example offers luscious orange-gold fields with considerable contrast present. The S in STATES is lower than the E, without the deeply impressed lettering characteristic of the other proof die. A couple of light scrapes are noted on Liberty's cheek, and a couple of dark toning spots on the obverse: one in back of the eye, and one behind the headdress. On the reverse a similar dark spot occurs at the bottom of the 1, and a patch of light yellow-gold patina is noted through DO in DOLLARS. A delectable early proof example of this historic and unusual denomination.<BR><I>From The Dr. Robert J. Loewinger Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coin/Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>) <BR><BR><B>Important not
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