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

2412

1895 $2 1/2 PR68 Star Ultra Cameo NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:48,750.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1895 $2 1/2 PR68 Star Ultra Cameo NGC
<B>1895 $2 1/2 PR68 <img src="/images/star.gif" width="10" height="10" alt="" border="0"> Ultra Cameo NGC.</B></I> The present specimen is the only 1895 quarter eagle to achieve the grade of PR68 at either NGC or PCGS. None have been certified finer. In fact, no proof 1895 half eagles, eagles, or double eagles have reached the grade of PR68 at either major service, which makes the current lot the single highest graded proof 1895 U.S. gold coin. As one would expect from its status of single finest certified, the eye appeal is remarkable. The yellow-gold devices are luminous, and provide profound contrast with the glassy fields.<BR> Only the most trivial surface imperfections exist, none of which are remotely worthy of discussion. For the purpose of pedigree tracing, we note a hair-thin line just to the right of the eagle's branch stem. A tiny die lump on the cheek is of mint origin, and is a diagnostic to distinguish the 119 proofs from the 6,000 business strikes that constitute the 1895 production. Although even the earliest business strikes, which could have prooflike fields, could never possess the dramatic device to field contrast of the present piece.<BR> The most famous proof rarity of 1895 is the silver dollar, since it is the sole proof-only issue of the Morgan series. But the proof mintage of the quarter eagle is less than one-fourth the emission of the 1895 dollar. At the PR68 level, the silver dollar is much more available, since 15 have been certified as PR68 (including Cameo, Deep Cameo, and Ultra Cameo examples) with one finer as PR69 Ultra Cameo. Although some would argue the comparison is akin to apples and oranges, it is made to show that the proof 1895 quarter eagle is significantly rarer than its legendary silver dollar counterpart. Those in need of the finest of the finest must consider the present opportunity.<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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