LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Jan. FUN Signature Coin Auction #454  / 

3340

1896 $20 PR66 Deep Cameo NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:110,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1896 $20 PR66 Deep Cameo NGC
<B>1896 $20 PR66 Deep Cameo NGC.</B></I> Every nuance of the design motifs is boldly brought up on this exquisite Premium Gem proof. Both sides are pristine with magnificent and deeply mirrored fields, exhibiting the watery appearance of true proof coins from the period. The obverse has two or three tiny contact marks on the cheek, a minute flaw on the rim right of star 9, a short diagonal mark in the lower right field, and a nearly invisible copper spot just right of the 9. The reverse has minuscule contact marks directly above the wing and below the outermost stars on the bottom row. Aside from these tiny imperfections, there are no pedigree markers on either side. Normally, small toning spots and other blemishes appear somewhere on the outer obverse or reverse rims, but that is not the case here. A complete lack of such toning spots will make pedigree tracking nearly impossible.<BR><BR><B>Rarity and Population Data</B></I><BR>In 1896, 128 proof double eagles were coined at the Philadelphia Mint, and possibly 40 pieces survive today. The combined total population of NGC and PCGS currently sits at 77 grading events. PCGS has certified 31 proofs, and NGC has certified 46 proofs in all grades and states. The ratio of submissions to survivors is about 2.5 to 1.<BR><BR><B>Grade PCGS NGC Grade PCGS NGC</B></I><BR>PR55 1 0 PR62 Cameo 0 1<BR>PR58 1 4 PR63 Cameo 0 3<BR>PR60 1 0 PR64 Cameo 0 9<BR>PR61 1 0 PR65 Cameo 0 8<BR>PR62 1 0 PR66 Cameo 1 3<BR>PR63 3 0 PR63 Deep Cameo 0 1<BR>PR64 5 1 PR64 Deep Cameo 3 3<BR>PR65 5 1 PR65 Deep Cameo 2 7<BR>PR66 2 0 PR66 Deep Cameo 4 4<BR>PR67 1 0 PR67 Deep Cameo 0 1<BR><BR><B>Die Details</B></I><BR>In his <I>Proof Encyclopedia</B></I>, Breen describes the dies: "In date 1 minutely below center of space between bust and border; left base of 1 well to right of center." We can add to his description that J in J.B.L. is over the inner left curve of the 8. Lapping of the reverse die has created incomplete feathers in the right facing wing below the scroll, and also at the right side of the tail.<BR><BR><B>Existing Proof 1896 Double Eagles</B></I><BR>Although a complete roster of these coins is unavailable, and may be nearly impossible to compile, we present past auction appearance of pieces graded PR64 or finer.<BR><BR>1. PR67. Philadelphia Mint (11/1896); Clapp Collection (1942); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Eliasberg Estate (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 995.<BR>2. PR66 NGC. Superior (5/1999), lot 3805.<BR>3. PR66. Paramount (1973); Harry Lamborn (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1977); Paramount; New York Collector; Paramount (8/1979); Martin Haber; Auction ‘88 (David Akers, 7/1988), lot 851.<BR>4. PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC. Hostetler Collection (1/17/1960); Norweb Collection (Bowers and Merena, 11/1988), lot 4056; American Numismatic Rarities (6/2004), lot 1544.<BR>5. PR65 PCGS. Garrett Collection (Stack's, 3/1976), lot 524; later, Harry W. Bass, Jr. (Bowers and Merena, 10/1999), lot 1918.<BR>6. PR65 PCGS. Heritage Bullet (4/1992), lot 5606. <BR>7. PR65. Stack's (10/1990), lot 1696.<BR>8. PR65. Bowers and Merena (8/1987), lot 676. <BR>9. PR65. Superior (6/1987), lot 2907.<BR>10. Gem Proof. Abner Kreisberg (2/1961), lot 1400; John Jay Pittman (David Akers, 10/1997), lot 1169.<BR>1. PR64 Deep Cameo. Smithsonian Institution.<BR>12. PR64 Cameo NGC. Bowers and Merena (8/1991), lot 581; Bowers and Merena (3/1994), lot 1372. <BR>13. PR64 Cameo NGC. Superior (2/1991), lot 2920. <BR>14. PR64 PCGS. Heritage (1/2001), lot 8418.<BR>15. PR64. Stack's (10/1995), lot 1733.<BR>16. PR64. Stack's (10/1995), lot 1734.<BR>17. PR64 PCGS. Bowers and Merena (3/1995), lot 2474. <BR>18. PR64. Stack's (10/1994), lot 1396.<BR>19. PR64 NGC. Ed Trompeter Collection. <BR>20. PR64 PCGS. Superior (8/1991), lot 826.<BR>21. PR64 NGC. Superior (5/1990), lot 5765.<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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