1048

[L#1048] 1908 $5 N PR66

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:22,800.00 USD Estimated At:38,000.00 - 48,000.00 USD
[L#1048] 1908 $5 N PR66
Smooth matte finish throughout with complete absence of marks, hairlines, or other problems. Struck with methodical precision throughout by the mint's special hydraulic press used to stamp all of the gold Proof Indian $5 pieces. From this process arose the razor-edge lettering and devices which cause collectors to stop and admire any gold proof that is offered or displayed. The coin is housed in NGC holder 1733175-002 and should prove to be an attention-getter when bidding commences.

When Bela Lyon Pratt's new Indian head motif was launched upon the American waters in 1908, the public was shocked (to put it mildly). Never before in American numismatics had a coin designer broken with tradition in such a overt way as did Pratt. For what Pratt did was to recess the design below the surface of the coin! Forget the fact that his Half Eagles and Quarter Eagles were far more aesthetically challenging than the long-running and tired-appearing Liberty heads they replaced. Unlike his predecessors, Pratt chose to honor a real American Indian for a change, not some made-up Greek goddess wearing an incongruous Indian headdress. And because of this, his design helped to propel American coin design into the World Class league.

Unfortunately, collectors, art "experts" and public figures of the day, almost to a man, derided Pratt's imaginative work. Luckily, in the 80+ years since people have changed their attitude and now critically acclaim this advance in coin workmanship. Matte Proof Half Eagles, like the superb piece offered here, have received much appreciation by collectors over the past fifty years. We expect the trend to continue.