1054

[L#1054] 1914 $5 NGC PF68 Ex Richmond Collection

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:42,000.00 USD Estimated At:70,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD
[L#1054] 1914 $5 NGC PF68 Ex Richmond Collection
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.

And "world class" best exemplifies the 1914 Proof 68 specimen we offer with this lot. The coin is magnificent. More than magnificent, it is essentially perfect. Perfect surfaces, bold devices, balanced composition, sleek matte finish, and ever-so-careful preservation by its former owners.

Although, collectors, art "experts" and public figures of the early twentieth century, almost to a man, derided Pratt's imaginative work, luckily, in the 90+ 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 attention by collectors over the past fifty years. We expect the trend to continue. This unstoppable gem resides in NGC holder 1716046-005 and with reference made to its earlier inclusion in the "Richmond Collection."