Lot 677
1875-S Twenty Cents. PCGS graded Proof 63. Here is a rare coin that is seldom offered. San Francisco coined approximately 12 of these to memorialize this new denomination using a single pair of polished dies. Boldly struck, with full stars and feathers, the only sign of weakness is on the upper curls on Liberty's head. Many were mishandled or cleaned over the years. Not so here, the surfaces show just minor hairlines and the edges are toned with lovely green and blue hues, while the centers remain frosty and white. Boldly struck, as expected for a proof, with Breen's diagnostics clear, faint die polish lines in the shield below BER, a spine left of the pole below Liberty's hand, the left serif of the T in CENTS is broken off. Note that these dies were later used to strike regular issue coins, so these diagnostics are a requirement of proofs, but not sufficient evidence alone to make them proofs. All branch mint proofs are rare, and this coin is certainly one of the finest to survive of this tiny issue. PCGS has only graded 2 in Proof, this coin and one in PR-62 below. Don't miss it if you are an advanced collector of proofs or this series. For future identification, there is a short curved lint mark through the top of the C in AMERICA extending to the dentil above at the center of that letter.
Estimated Value $12,500-UP.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 7, 1944 for $20.00 as "Proof".
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| Realized $32,200 |
