Lot 2587
1900 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 63 Cameo. Light gold toning. This handsome twenty comes to us from the same consignor as the $2.50, $5, and $10 Liberty Proofs of 1900. It, too, excels in all areas: color, depth of strike and crispness of detail, mirror sparkle, and, lastly, frosty contrast from the devices. A rounded impression is almost never found on these well made Proofs. The stamp of the dies was carefully calibrated; also, Proofs were struck twice by the dies, and the press that struck them was the mint's more robust Medal press rather than the everyday electrically operated coining press. (Standard presses at the turn of the 20th century struck the $20 double eagle with a force of 155 tons to the square inch. The slower Medal press gave sharper results since the dies provided a better "squeeze" resulting in the golden alloy working its way into every recess in the dies.) We are happy to see that the present example is a grand example, indeed a stunningly beautiful one, one that is sharp throughout including centers. The photos do not lie: some might even argue that it has beauty well beyond its Proof 63 grade. Only 124 proofs struck. Pop 3; 18 finer. (PCGS # 89116) .
Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000.
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| Realized $22,425 |
