Lot 1866
1904. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo. A gorgeous Brilliant Proof gold coin. Only 136 struck. Viewers of this coin will see some satin-smooth mint frosting to Liberty's portrait on the obverse, but the cameo contrast is most readily appreciable on the reverse. Both sides are equally well detailed with original yellow-gold color, and there are no distracting striking anomalies or signs of contact. Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth concur with our educated guess as to survival of a total population of 50 to 75 coins. They note: "Most of the coins seen are deeply mirrored, and they lack the frosted devices seen on most of the examples struck before 1902." Only a few remain in Proof 64 Cameo. High-grade Proof half eagles are very rare, as noted in the attached census (see below), this, regardless of the date.
You see, events have conspired, so to speak, to let this remarkable Liberty Half Eagle do pretty much as it likes with admirers of all things gold; a beautiful specimen that is both exciting and enthralling to the eye when beheld in person, and we would want to persuade all interested parties, even those who have only a passing curiosity about Proof gold, to examine what one can modestly describe as a resplendent 1904 $5 gold piece. Pop 14; 6 finer, 1 in 64+, 4 in 65, 1 in 66 (PCGS # 88499) .
Note: Most issues of 1901-04 are not frosted as on earlier gold Proofs. Around 1901, the mint began selling Proofs to the public with "all brilliant" devices. No explanation has been handed down for the change, but it may have been in line with the growing French influence in coin finishes then sweeping Europe. (Our later Matte Proofs were a direct result of this Continental experimentation.) It may be that the few surving cameo specimens, such as this 1904 Liberty $5 gold piece, were early strikes from the new dies, before the frosted surface wore away to the more familiar reflective gleam seen on later strikes.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $12,925 |
