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1415

1891 $2 1/2 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1891 $2 1/2 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC
<B>1891 $2 1/2 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC.</B></I> Among American engravers and designers who have found employment with the U.S. Mint, few have had the far-reaching influence and design longevity of Christian Gobrecht. The talented artist, who had performed die work for the Mint since the 1820s, and following the stroke suffered by William Kneass, then Chief Engraver, Gobrecht became a full-time employee as an assistant engraver. Despite the title, Gobrecht did virtually all of the die work and design for the Mint in the last decade of his life, and by the time he succeeded to the Chief Engraver's post on the death of Kneass, Gobrecht's designs graced every silver and gold denomination struck by the Mint.<BR> Though Gobrecht's work possessed incredible longevity and artistic power (the esteemed Augustus Saint-Gaudens drew inspiration from Gobrecht's Flying Eagle motif for the silver dollar), his once-esteemed creations eventually fell out of favor, and after more than half a century of Seated silver coinage, change was inevitable. The year 1891 marked the last appearance of the Liberty Seated image on circulating coinage. Yet Gobrecht's Coronet gold design remained, and it lasted more than a decade afterward.<BR> This magnificent Superb Gem proof, one of the most esteemed survivors among the quarter eagle specimens from that noteworthy year, offers virtually immaculate honey-gold fields that have seemingly fathomless mirrors. Moderate frost on the decisively struck central devices adds undeniable contrast. A specimen at the height of preservation and visual appeal for the issue; NGC has graded just three Ultra Cameo coins as PR67 and none finer (1/08).<BR><I>From The Ultra Collection.</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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