Lot 1540
1856 $3 Gold. NGC graded Proof 62. Placed in NGC holder 2892350-004. Lightly toned with beautiful glittering fields offsetting the golden-frosted devices. Very rare in Proof condition. The distinguishing features include: Only a portion of JBL (for James Barton Longacre) visible on the neck truncation; bases of F almost gone on the Proofs; first feather still more incomplete; dentils mostly joined. Reverse Large over small DOLLARS; hub doubling on wreath (plainest on left and right cotton leaves) and 3. The only $3 die with such an extraordinary blunder. Breen 6353, Proofs only. Mintage unknown.
The following specimens are traced: (1) F.C.C. Boyd, WGC:271. Ill. Breen Proofs book and Encyclopedia (2) Garrett:394 (3/76), $21,000, Superior's "Connoisseur" sale 1/89:338, $39,600, Superior's Jascha Heifetz sale 11/89:4242, $49,500, Superior's Boys Town sale 5/90:5506, $68,750, Superior Keston 1/96:40, $42,350, always as "superb" now NGC Proof 64 Cam #211713-003. Weak on several feather ends and ribbon just below bows (3) RARCOA section of Auction '81:391, $20,500, Dennis With. Slightly impaired (4) J. F. Bell I (1944). No data. Possibly same as last or one of following (5) Harry Bass. Possibly same as no. 1 or 2 (6) Mike Brownlee (7) Superior's Trompeter 2/92:98, $14,850 reappearing in Superior Keston 1/96:41, $12,650 (8) Bowers 1/95:1177, PCGS Proof 55 (9) Bowers 7/2002, PCGS Proof 65 $66,700. As can be seen by this brief roster, the 1856 is extremely rare (and seldom offered) in Proof format. Encased in NGC holder 2892350-004. Pop 1; only 1 other graded at NGC in PF 65 CAM (PCGS # 8019) .
Diagnostic feature: Identifiable by a U-shaped lint mark in the field at Liberty's forehead.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000.
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