LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2006 November Signature Coin Auction #420  / 

2354

1910 $5 PR67 NGC. Examination of the NGC Census Report

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1910 $5 PR67 NGC. Examination of the NGC Census Report
<B>1910 $5 PR67 NGC.</B></I> Examination of the NGC <I>Census Report</B></I> shows that all four gold denominations were struck in 1910 with the matte proof finish. However, Roger Burdette has not found any primary sources in the Archives or elsewhere for the existence of a 1910 matte proof set. In fact, in his book <I>Renaissance of American Coinage, 1905-1908,</B></I> he quotes extensive correspondence between William Woodin and Assistant Treasury Secretary A. Piatt Andrew in which Woodin asked for matte proof coinage in 1910, but Andrew ultimately refused to strike such coins for Woodin and other collectors in 1910. Andrew did agree to revert to sandblasting gold proofs for 1911. And yet, examination of this coin proves that at least this coin (and by extension one of each denomination) was indeed struck.<BR> The surfaces of this piece are unlike the traditional "Roman" finish seen on proofs from 1909 and 1910. Each side has a fine-grain, matte texture. The finish is brighter and the individual granules smaller than the matte proofs from 1908. Rich, even orange-gold color is seen over both obverse and reverse and, of course, the striking details are completely brought up in all areas. We can find no previous auction appearance for this piece and it was not a part of the DiBello holdings. There is a strong need to locate pedigree identifiers on such an important piece. Yet, the surfaces are nearly perfect, as indicated by the PR67 grade. The only "flaw" we see that can be used for future identification is a faint, comma-like grease stain in the reverse field below the P of PLURIBUS and to the left of the first U in UNUM.<BR><I>The Garrett-Guth</B></I> Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins <I>states that the 1910 matte proof five dollar "is part of the unique 1910 matte Proof gold set. The set was discovered by the author, Jeff Garrett, several years ago at a North Carolina convention."</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coin/Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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