LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 February Long Beach Signature Coin #460  / 

2605

1908 $5 PR66 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:35,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1908 $5 PR66 NGC
<B>1908 $5 PR66 NGC. CAC.</B></I> The Bigelow-Pratt design for the quarter eagle and half eagle was publicly commented upon by the designer at a lecture in Boston in January 1909. Part of this lecture reflects how poorly his design was received by the Mint (reminiscent of the Saint-Gaudens/Henry Hering struggles with Mint officials in 1907), and it also presents the reasoning behind the recessed relief on these coins.<BR><BR> " ... We soon knew that we had a very good design: Mr. Roosevelt said so. The models were sent to the Mint and there slaughtered after the manner in which the Mint always treats designs. They milled the edge, chopped off the margin, re-modeled the feathers and did other things ...<BR> " One of the principal advantages of this coin is that it is nearly friction proof, as nearly so as a coin can be made; the background being slightly above the level of the relief, the broad surfaces of the background taking all the wear and being perfectly smooth, the friction loss is very slight ..."<BR><BR> Collectors in 1908 received a double surprise when they ordered proof gold coins from the Mint. Not only did they receive revolutionary new designs on the quarter eagle and half eagle, but all the coins were struck with a new matte finish rather than the traditional brilliant finish. While 167 proofs seems very low by today's standards, it was almost double the number of proof fives struck the previous year. However, the new matte finish proved unpopular with collectors, and the number produced dropped to only 77 pieces in 1909. <BR> This is a splendid example of the matte proofing process. The surfaces are deep in color and show the coarse granularity proofs from this year are known for. The only surface disturbance of consequence is a hairline-thin mark across the cheek of the Native American. An exceptionally pleasing example of this first-year issue.<BR><I>From The Southwest Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Bela Lyon Pratt<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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