Lot 1217
1895 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded Proof 66 Ultra Cameo. Only 119 proofs struck. Lovely golden toning on both sides. Out-and-out gorgeous field-to-device contrast is perhaps the first feature that a viewer sees when he looks over both sides of this breathtaking Gem Proof. It is not the only feature, but the main one that quickens the heart's beat. Deep, rich, orange-gold color is also a praiseworthy feature, painstakingly acquired over many decades by a natural process. The needle sharp devices speak for themselves. Under magnification they are even sharper looking than they seem in the photographs. There is not a single contact mark or significant hairline that would cause one to question the validity of the assigned Proof 66 grade, nor can we find any pedigree markers of note (a euphemism for "marks" or "spots" that catch the eye). The original purpose of making Proof Quarter Eagles was to please coin collectors, who were few in 1895; sales amounted to a mere 119 pieces -- a total that is about in the middle of the scale for the Liberty series in the 1890s and 1900s. Few remain in such outstanding condition! Pop 15; 9 finer, 8 in 67, 1 in 68.
Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000.
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| Realized $18,975 |
