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[L#1126] 1883 $20 N PR65 Ultra Cameo

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:60,000.00 USD Estimated At:100,000.00 - 150,000.00 USD
[L#1126] 1883 $20 N PR65 Ultra Cameo
And "ultra" this is, from the razor-sharp devices to the layers of mint frost on all devices, a truly gorgeous example of this very rare issue. Close inspection of the fields detects a faint hairline below Liberty's chin, but inspection also reveals the charming and beautiful orange peel surface so notable on these early Proofs. The fields themselves are deep-mirrored and quite fresh for so large a gold coin, warm golden to orange-and-gold hued and completely spot-free. Meanwhile, as indicated, the devices are pristine with ultra golden frost. A lovely combination. This frosted effect really excites the senses as it is displayed against the mirror field. When all was said and done, there were 92 Proofs minted in 1883. The coin is housed in NGC holder 1847556-001 and will likely be remembered for years after the sale.

Famous as proof-only date, and long considered one of the rarest of all Double Eagles because mint reports included only the 40 with the Proof Sets (no business strikes), nevertheless, 1883 is slightly less rare than the smaller denominations, or than the 1884. One of only 92 made: 40 with sets February 10, 3 more before March 30, 15, 13 and 21 in last 3 quarters. There may be as many as 20 survivors. Gems are few and far between in the following auction records:

Most recently, it was sold in January 2004 at $172,500. Today, in a much stronger market, and given the superiority of this specimen, anything is possible.

(1) Mint, Smithsonian Institution; (2) Brock, Morgan, ANS; (3) Garrett 3/76:476, $72,500, Bowers 10/99 Bass II:1884 PCGS Proof 64 $89,700; (4) Clapp, Eliasberg:962, $88,000; (5) Bell I:843, $1,350, Dr. Green:752, $1,625, believed Amon Carter; (6) Boyd, WGC:886, Bell, "Memorable":703; (7) Atwater:1275, $1,400, Eliasberg, "H. R. Lee":1726. Possibly to Lilly, Smithsonian Institution?; (8) Davis-Graves:884 from set; (9) Bell II:921; (10) Golden I:2829, New York Metro 5/68 (Van Roden et al):988, $8,000, Dines:919, $9,200. Nicks on cheek and between fourth and fifth stars; (11) Wolfson:93; (12) Menjou I:1822; (13) Naftzger, Melish:992; (14) Kreisberg 9/73:1296, $42,000; (15) Bullowa 11/76:48, illustrated in the Breen Proofs book; (16) N. M. Kaufman:932, $65,000; (17) Bowers 1/86:444, "Proof 60 to 63"; (18) Bowers 10/87:2092, "Proof 63"; (19) Superior's 2/92:3087, $31,900. NGC Proof 63; (20) Trompeter, provenance unknown. NGC Proof 64 Cameo; (21) Stack's 3/94:1625, PCGS Proof 63, cloudiness left of date.