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1855 H10C Arrows PR65 NGC. Beginning in 1858, sal

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:11,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1855 H10C Arrows PR65 NGC. Beginning in 1858, sal
<B>1855<H10C> Arrows PR65 NGC.</B></I> Beginning in 1858, sales of Proof coins to collectors increased dramatically, perhaps a reflection of the number of people who began serious collecting activity. It was about this time that the early coin dealers began operations in this country. Prior to 1858, mintages of Proof coins were much smaller, with much less demand for these coins. Although a few individuals were active coin collectors in the earlier 1850s, production of Proof coinage was primarily for presentation purposes to mark special occasions. Such was the case in 1855 when this lovely half dime was minted. As the Mint did not record such things at the time, it is not known how many were struck, but it is certainly the case that the total was limited to just a handful of pieces. This offering marks only the seventh time that we have sold a Proof example of this date over the last dozen years.<BR> This lovely Gem Proof has iridescent toning over mirrored surfaces with frosty luster on the devices. The obverse has pale gold at the center, with a ring of blue surrounded by pewter gray near the border. The reverse is mostly light gray with splashes of electric blue and pale olive. The design features are sharply detailed. On the reverse, a small diagonal mark atop the M in DIME is a clash mark, seen on certain other examples of this issue. Although not the finest survivor, this example certainly ranks well within the top 10 proofs of the date. Population: 3 in 65, 6 finer (5/05).