Lot 2889
1863 Liberty Seated Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 65 PQ CAC Approved. Only 460 minted. Well struck with lovely light gold toning. This coin presents two markedly different "looks" depending on the angle of incidence. At indirect angles, rich antique toning frames more-or-less central swirls of tan and silver tinting. When the viewer dips the coin into a light, however, the first two colors give way to vivid reflective quality shaded by the toning, respectively. Fully original in finish, both sides sparkle with deep mint reflectivity. Neither the razor-sharp strike nor the silky-smooth surfaces are worthy of even the most trifling criticism. From originality to strong technical merits, this coin has it all. A simply beautiful Gem-quality Proof 65 survivor from a combined Proof and business strike mintage of just 27,660 pieces. Pop 5; 9 finer, 8 in 66, 1 in 67 (PCGS # 7006) .
Historic Note: Honest Abe Lincoln, an Illinois railroad lawyer from top to bottom, invested in land in Council Bluffs, Iowa, of all places, in 1857. To this day this piece of land is known as "Lincoln’s Hill." When he became president one of his first official acts was to call a special session of Congress to begin work on the Pacific Railway Act that would shower railroad corporations with government subsidies while they constructed a transcontinental railroad line. When Congress finally passed the bill in 1862 it gave the president the exclusive right to decide the eastern terminus of the line. And guess what? Lincoln chose Council Bluffs, Iowa! Some say it was a coincidence. Others call it an example of savvy political insider trading. Construction began in 1863, the year of this Gem Proof Seated Dollar, and was completed with the pounding-in of the Golden Spike at Promontory, Utah in 1869.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000.
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| Realized $14,950 |
