Lot 1637
1884-S. PCGS graded MS-61 PQ. Scarce date in Mint State. Lustrous fields ripple with original mint bloom. Against this are set nicely subdued, matte design elements with only minor bag contact. A unsuccessful strike was left by the rebound of the dies that coined this '84-S, but we point to the fact that this occurs only in the exact center on both sides, where the hair above the ear and breast detail are marginally lacking. Elsewhere, the devices were struck with such force and energy by the dies that their design elements show boldly (PCGS # 7156) .
The Year 1884 in history: This is the year Mark Twain, pseudonym for Samuel L. Clemens, published his "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."
Governments aren't so blatant about it nowadays, but in November 1884, representatives from 14 governments, including Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Belgium, met in Berlin at the behest of Otto von Bismarck to formally carve up Africa (the Berlin Conference). In order to bring some order to the mad scramble for loot on the continent, the countries agreed that for a claim to be recognized internationally, the colonizing government must occupy the territory with ground forces. They also agreed to suppress slavery and to promote the tenets of Western civilization (e.g., slaying the natives). The meeting lasted until February of 1885. (The United States did not participate in the conference but would soon follow in the Imperialists' footsteps. The scramble for resources continues to this day.).
Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500.
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| Realized $9,488 |
