Lot 2235
1887 $3 Gold. MINT ERROR. Triple Struck. NGC graded Proof 63 Cameo. Reverse Rotated. (A similar example, 1887 in NGC Proof 64 Ultra Cameo, Double Struck Rotated Reverse 180 Degrees from the Bass Collection, realized $31,000 in May 2000, lot 287.) Perhaps the most interesting coin in the $3 series, excluding the world famous key dates! In time, this too may become a world class Rarity in its own right since it has all of the qualifications. Choice cameo Proof with bright yellow gold fields and satin-frosted devices. A few minor hairlines and abrasions are noted.
Completely triple struck with the reverse die inverted between impressions. The obverse doubling is offset about slightly but still noticeable while the reverse is perfectly inverted. A third strike is also visible. Three varieties of 1887 Proof $3 exist, based on die alignment. A few Proofs are known with medallic alignment, many more with normal coin alignment, and two or three (including the coin offered here) struck once with medallic alignment and then with coin alignment, the reverse die (or the obverse die as the results would be the same) being rotated 160° between strikings (should be 180°, and sometimes noted as such in the literature, but the die alignment is slightly off register from 180°). The earliest catalog appearance of this variety of which we are aware was in Lester Merkin's November 1965 sale.
It is indeed a great pleasure for us to offer this piece for competition now, when the market for Proof gold as well as the market for great Error rarities is in the midst of a Renaissance! Perhaps it will disappear for a generation after the sale, only time will tell. The occasion is what matter, and the coin is available for your bid.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 28,000.
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