Lot 1294
1882 $20 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 66 Ultra Cameo. Star. Here is the ultimate 1882 Double Eagle. Undoubtedly the Finest Known Example!. An immaculate brilliant yellow golden gem with deep ultra cameo frosted devices which are blemish- free! Only 59 struck for this rare key low mintage date. In 1882, the Philadelphia Mint struck both business strikes and Proofs, all in very limited quantities, and today, this key issue is one of the most desirable in the entire double eagle series. Total production amounted to just 571 business strikes and the aforementioned 59 Proofs. Scarcely surprising, it is thought that about dozen Proofs are all that survive. Among the Proofs are examples from famous-name collections of Newcomer, Boyd, Garrett, Eliasberg, and Trompeter, etc.
The fields on this Proof 66 are profoundly mirrored with the watery or "orange peel" appearance seen on nearly all first-class gold Proofs in the 1880s. Both sides have highly lustrous and exemplary frosted devices, free from polish areas which tended to lessen the cameo effect on lesser coins. The connoisseur will expect to hear that this example exhibits no defects whatsoever, which is, of course, the case. The coin's complete lack of imperfections means tracking it will be a piece of cake since no others come within a country mile of its near absolute perfection! The Proofs this year were struck from a single die pair. Of the 59 made, 25 were issued with the gold sets February 14, 2 more before March 31, 2 in second quarter, 15 with sets August 12, 5 more before September 30, 10 in fourth quarter, according to archival records. As a date, 1882 is rarer than the more highly proclaimed 1883 and 1884.
Today, the possession of an 1882 Proof double eagle in any state of deterioration, from either method of production, is a major turning point for the collector. Further, the possession of this incredible immaculate Proof 66 1882 beauty, which is free of deterioration, should be a highlight of the century for any tried and true numismatist! Pop 1, finest graded at NGC. PCGS has graded 1 example in PR-64 DCAM. (PCGS # 99098) .
Estimated Value $150,000 - 175,000.
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| Realized $195,500 |
