Lot 1483
1884 $5 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 66 Ultra Cameo. In NGC holder 3210948-002. Only 48 Proofs struck. The coin displays a vivid jet-on-bright gold Ultra Cameo appearance, with deeply mirrored orange peel mirrors yielding grudgingly to the utterly beautiful frosted devices. The rise of the devices is complete, bold, energetic, with all areas of the design 100% razor's edge. We notice no marks or planchet flakes, and only one or two faint hairlines, all of which serves to confirm the Proof 66 grade. No coins of this date have yet received a higher grade with ultra deep contrast, and that means for the serious gold buyer, this is an opportunity that may never be repeated. The 1884 half eagle is considered one of the forgotten rarities in Proof format due to the infrequency in its appearance, more than anything else. Breen, in both his Encyclopedia of United States Proof Coins and Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins considered the number of pieces extant to be fewer than a dozen, calling it "extremely rare" and "one of the great sleepers" in the former reference. Pop 1; Finest graded.
Die characteristics. According to Breen in his research notes for the Trompeter Collection in the early 1990s, "Heavy 1 with tiny rust mark on lower part of upright. Digits 84 free. Die polish at RT, die scratch slanting up from right base of T. Reverse die of 1881-83. Only 48 made, from a single pair of dies made January 3: 30 with sets January 19, 8 on February 29, 8 on June 28, 1 each in September and December. Probably fewer than a dozen survive."
Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000.
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