NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2002 Feb 19 @ 18:00UTC-08:00 : PST/AKDT
Eagles 1908 With Motto. Matte Proof 65. <b>Proofs of this year struck only from dies with the newly added motto IN GOD WE TRUST in the space to the left of the eagle. A superb Matte-finish example of the minting craft first introduced in 1908, though borrowed from the French and other European coin mints. Smooth even finish without spotting or hairlines; the rims square and wide have, in areas, a thin knife edge -- known as a "fin" in mint parlance. The edge on these, as on other regular-issue Indian $10 gold pieces, encircled by 46 stars denoting the 46 states of the Union at the time it was issued in 1908. (After 1912, when Arizona and New Mexico joined, there are 48 stars on the edge.) The number of Proofs struck and sold (as part of the Proof sets) was necessarily very low. Only the wealthiest collectors could afford to collect Proof gold. As it is today, only the best heeled collectors aspire to possess such breathtakingly beautiful specimens! In all there were 116 Proofs issued. Designer of the "No Motto" and "With Motto" Indian heads was Augustus Saint-Gaudens, though after the artist's death, the mint's chief engraver Charles E. Barber reworked the design, flatting it somewhat to aid striking and die life, and this handsome coin is the result. In 1907 and part of 1908, the design has no IN GOD WE TRUST on it. "An outraged and furious Congress (probably goaded by vociferous clergy) ordered that the motto IN GOD WE TRUST be forthwith restored to the coinage, as mandated by the Act of March 3, 1865" according to the Breen encyclopedia. "President Roosevelt, on religious grounds. . .believed that placing the name of God on currency was a debasement amounting to blasphemy. All Proofs 1908-15 are much rarer than their mintage figures suggest; notably rarer than most dates 1897-1907. Many were melted in 1917 as unsold, others spent during the 1921 and 1929-33 financial crises. These Proofs have finishes differing from one year to another Proofs of 1908 have dark matte finish between khaki and olive color, like half eagles and quarter eagles of this year, although there is a "Roman finish" 1908 reported (Breen-7101) that has a finish similar to the 1909-10 Proofs.</b> <p align="center">Superior Galleries was founded in 1929 and has been a leader in
the numismatic auction business since 1971.</p> <p align="center"><b>Consignments wanted for June 2 & 3, 2002 Pre-Long Beach Sale.</b></p> <p align="center"><b>Call Steve Deeds</b> at (800) 421-0754 ext 230.</p>
Auction Location:
United States
Previewing Details:
2/11-2/15 from 9am-5:30pm by appointment only; 2/16-2/17 from 9am-5:30pm no appointment necessary
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