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1892 50C Columbian PR66 Cameo PCGS. Sharpness of d 1892[50C] Columbian PR66 Cameo PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1892 50C Columbian PR66 Cameo PCGS. Sharpness of d 1892[50C] Columbian PR66 Cameo PCGS.
<B>1892<50C> Columbian PR66 Cameo PCGS.</B></I> Sharpness of definition serves to distinguish true proof Columbian Half Dollars from their early impression, prooflike business strike counterparts. While this difference can be seen on many features (the denticles, for example), the <I>Santa Maria's</B></I> rigging in the center of the reverse is the best device to check. On proofs, the rigging is fully separated and crisp, whereas business strikes often display bluntness in this area. We note, however, that the later impression proofs may not be as full over the rigging as the first coins struck, but the definition should still be far sharper than that for the business strikes. We believe that 104 1892 Columbian Halves were produced in proof format: the initial 101 coins, and the 400th, 1,492nd, and 1,892nd examples.<BR> This is one of the finest proof strikings of the first-year 1892 Columbian Half Dollar that we have recently handled. Both sides are brilliant, or very nearly so, with very subtle accents of pink-gold peripheral toning. There is an appreciable degree of contrast between the devices and fields, and the PR66 designation is more than justified by the smooth, virtually as struck surfaces. A small dark toning spot is seen on Columbus' neck directly under his ear, and a tiny contact mark is also visible at the center of the neck area, these being mentioned only for future pedigree identification. Population: 3 in 66, 1 finer (8/05).