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

2471

1903 $20 PR64 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:14,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 100,000.00 USD
1903 $20 PR64 PCGS
<B>1903 $20 PR64 PCGS.</B></I> Premium quality for the grade. This spectacular Choice proof offers vibrant reflectivity and gleaming butter-yellow fields with elements of orange, subtle alloy at the date, and a touch of patina at the margins. The devices are decisively struck with minimal contrast, a typical feature of the brilliant proofs that prevailed at the Mint in the early 20th century. A few wispy hairlines in the fields does not detract from the excellent eye appeal of this specimen. Anything finer is extremely rare, with no examples above PR64 certified by NGC and only two such coins graded by PCGS (10/07). At any level of preservation, this impressive proof would be a prize, and its near-Gem status only reinforces its desirability.<BR> The 1903 proof double eagle, with an official mintage of 158 specimens, has the highest stated production for any Liberty issue and the second-highest for the denomination (behind only the 1910). In practice, the 1903 is no more readily available than its 1901 or 1902 counterpart, as suggested by recent auction records, and it is plausible that a number of examples were melted by the Mint as unsold. The combined population total gleaned from the NGC <I>Census Report</B></I> and the PCGS <I>Population Report</B></I> is doubtless influenced by resubmissions, and estimates from Garrett and Guth (2006) place the total surviving population of 1903 proofs at 40 to 50 pieces. The authors further note: "In recent years the demand for examples of the type in Proof has increased dramatically. The supply will most likely never meet the demand for these large, impressive coins."<BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> James B. Longacre<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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