LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 April Rosemont, IL (CSNS) US Coin #1104  / 

2453

1861 $5 PR64 Cameo NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:67,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1861 $5 PR64 Cameo NGC
<B>1861 $5 PR64 Cameo NGC.</B></I> The official mintage of 66 proofs is probably accurate for the 1861 half eagle. However, like other denominations struck from 1859 through 1861, an unknown number were melted. In fact, Breen records "At least 10 proofs melted Jan. 1862 as unsold." From the lack of survivors today, it would appear there many more were melted later in the year. When one investigates the auction appearances of the 1861, it is remarkable how many major collections have lacked an example. The last piece we encountered was the Trompeter coin. After Heritage purchased all the Trompeter fives, tens, and twenties in 1998, the proof fives were sold intact by private treaty. However, before they were sold photographs were taken of the entire collection and when this piece is compared to the poster of the Trompeter 1861 five, this does not appear to be the same coin. This coin actually appears to be the Eliasberg piece, as evidenced by the mark that runs parallel to Liberty's eyebrow on this piece and in the Eliasberg catalog. <BR> To our knowledge and thanks to the research of the consignor, this piece does not appear to have traded publicly since its sale in the Eliasberg Collection in 1982. It is probable that only three or four pieces are in private collections of this rarity: The previously mentioned Trompeter coin that is graded PR66 Cameo and held in a private collection, a PCGS PR64 whose whereabouts are unknown (possibly this coin before it was designated as a Cameo?), a PCGS PR63 that is probably the same as the Stack's (10/92) example, and this coin. To these pieces, the ANA and ANS coins may be added but these are, of course, not available. This is certainly the only 1861 proof five on the market today.<BR> The rich orange-gold surfaces are lightly hairlined (the viewer will need a magnifier, though). The fields are exceptionally deep in their mirrored reflectivity and the devices show a strong presence of mint frost that gives the coin its cameo contrast. The only marks of any note are the one mentioned above the eye of Liberty, and another shallow one on the chin. This is a major opportunity for the specialist in 19th century gold, and it is obviously a rare chance to add this date to a run of early proof fives.<BR><I>Ex: James Ten Eyck Collection (B. Max Mehl, 5/1922); John H. Clapp Collection, 1942; Louis Eliasberg Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 500.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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