LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 NOV Dallas, TX US Coin Signature #452  / 

1396

1894 $1 PR68 Cameo NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 100,000.00 USD
1894 $1 PR68 Cameo NGC
<B>1894 $1 PR68 Cameo NGC.</B></I> After several years of substandard production of proof Morgan dollars, the Mint tightened quality control considerably in 1894. As a result, most of the proofs from this year are well produced and fully struck (as seen on this coin). In the three previous years only one pair of dies was used to produce proofs. In the Bowers-Borckardt dollar reference, under proofs of 1892 the comment is made: "The Proof mintage of 1,245 should have taken two or three die pairs ..." Two die pairs were used again in 1894 to strike proof dollars. Why? The answer might reside in a short passage in the <I>Annual Report of the Director of the Mint: </B></I>"Col. O.C. Bosbyshell having resigned as superintendent of the Mint, was succeeded by Dr. Eugene Townsend, who entered on duty April 1, 1894." Could it be that Colonel Bosbyshell had grown lax in his duties at the end of his career? Is it also possible that his successor, Dr. Townsend, wanted to prove his capabilities by producing noticeably superior proof coinage? <BR> Speculation aside, it is a fact that proof dollars were better struck in 1894 than previously. This piece is among the finest proof dollars known of this popular year--a year made even more popular by the lack of high grade business strikes. The hair over Liberty's ear is crisp as are the breast feathers on the eagle. The centers are generally brilliant (or nearly so) with deeper reddish-golden toning around the margins. The level of preservation of this piece is truly extraordinary. In addition to the near-perfectly preserved surfaces, the devices are noticeably frosted and are set off in a cameo effect against the unfathomable depth of reflectivity in the mirrored fields. NGC has only certified four other PR68 coins, and there are two pieces that are listed as PR69! A rare opportunity to acquire this important date in the Morgan series.<BR> <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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