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

3144

1884 $20 PR64 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:100,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 2.00 USD
1884 $20 PR64 PCGS.
<B>1884 $20 PR64 PCGS.</B></I> An issue that needs no introduction among gold specialists, the 1884 was produced solely in specimen, or proof format. The official mintage is 71 coins, which is fewer than those of the proof-only 1883 and 1887 deliveries. The 1884 is the rarest issue of this trio, but just <I>how</B></I> rare has been a matter of debate within numismatic circles. For years, Walter Breen's estimate of 16-20 pieces extant was widely accepted as fact. However, Mike Fuljenz and Doug Winter offer a range of just 15-17 coins in the 2000 book <I>Type Three Double Eagles 1877-1907: A Numismatic History and Analysis.</B></I> David W. Akers believed only 13-15 pieces remain, and wrote that "as a date, the 1884 is the second rarest in the entire Liberty head double eagle series after the excessively rare 1861 Paquet." There can be no doubt that our offering of the present specimen represents a numismatic event of undeniable significance.<BR> We are aware of only six 1884 double eagles in auctions over the past ten years:<BR><BR> 1. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection (Bowers and Merena, 10/1999), lot 1891, where it realized $46,000. This coin, previously from the Garrett collection, was certified PR63 by PCGS. It appeared again as lot 7590 in Heritage's Jan. 2004 Long Beach Signature, where it realized $103,500.<BR><BR> 2 Ex: Eagle Collection of Double Eagles (Heritage, 1/2002), lot 4149, where it realized $54,625.<BR><BR> 3 Superior (8/2002), lot 2228, where it realized $51,750. Cataloged as "Brilliant Proof 63."<BR><BR> 4 Ex: FUN Signature Sale Platinum Night--The North Shore Collection (Heritage, 1/2004), lot 3225, where it realized $149,500. An exquisite NGC PR66 Cameo specimen. Earlier, in the Dallas Bank Collection (Stack's/Sotheby's, 10/2001) as lot 94, which realized $48,875.<BR><BR> 5 Ex: Heritage (6/2004), lot 6376, which realized $126,500. Certified PR64 by PCGS.<BR><BR> 6 Ex: Richmond Collection, Part I (David Lawrence, 7/2004), lot 2330, which brought $115.000. Certified PR64 Cameo by NGC.<BR><BR> The present piece is #5 on this list. Although undesignated as Cameo by PCGS, the devices exhibit substantial frost, particularly on the eagle's wings and Liberty's hair. The frost is thick throughout the right half of the neck and near the ear, and minimal on the cheek and neck. This frost pattern is diagnostic of 1884 proofs, and also explains why no proof 1884 double eagles have been certified as Deep Cameo or Ultra Cameo. Another diagnostic for the issue is a diagonal die line to the left of the Y in LIBERTY, which is present on the current lot. Intricately struck, even on the highpoints of the hair to the right of the ear. Attractively toned with dashes of lemon patina. Minor planchet flaws near the nose, the forehead, the vertical shield lines, and the A in STATES provide pedigree identifiers. This very rare proof double eagle would be a standout within even the finest collection of Liberty double eagles.<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>Importan
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