1875-S 20C, BMCA SP(PCGS#85307)

Classics Sale

拍卖行

American Numismatic Rarities

批号

1403

等级

PR64

价格

877,056

详细说明

An incredible rarity in the American series, a Branch Mint Proof issue whose very existence is unknown to most collectors. Deeply reflective silver gray surfaces on both sides, heavily frosted devices stand out in bold cameo contrast, radiant satiny lustre on both sides. A coin clearly struck as a Proof, both in terms of overall visual impact and technical aspects. Walter Breen described the characteristics of the die pair from which genuine Branch Mint Proofs were struck, all are present: a tiny spur from the pole under Liberty’s pinky finger, short file marks under BER of LIBERTY, a die line from tip of leaf above T in CENTS, high knife rims. Some splashes of amber toning are present in front of Liberty’s profile, among the nearby stars, and above her head. A few faint hairlines are noted; the exceptional eye appeal resembles a Philadelphia Mint Proof of this type. Scattered lint marks are present near Liberty’s wrist, inside star 11, and above head near star 8. All details are pronounced and defined by a remarkably bold strike, including the centers of all stars, and parallel planchet preparation lines are visible on both sides but most clearly on reverse between TWENTY and CENTS. Branch Mint Proofs are an exciting and underappreciated aspect of American coinage, struck in tiny numbers for special purposes — in this case, as the very first of this denomination to be struck in San Francisco. While the subject is somewhat clouded by prooflike issues of the branch mints, coins like the present coin are beyond doubt. Breen counted only six specimens known to him, including one cleaned so badly it no longer resembles a Proof; he guessed the original mintage as 12 (following a claim from noted non-scholar B. Max Mehl), but there is no documentation to suggest such a number. The two major certification services have certified a Branch Mint Proof 1875-S 20 cent piece four times, but there is no telling how many specimens that number actually represents. A complete census of the six specimens was given by Roy Rauch in The Gohrecht Journal in 1975, where he noted that nearly all the specimens had some sort of minor problem, defect, or evidence of cleaning. Based on the descriptions included therein, it appears that this is the Rauch specimen, cherrypicked at a 1975 New York coin show and called “by far the best of these” by Walter Breen. As the inimitable Walter Breen related, “if early presentation pieces and pre-1858 proofs are caviar to the average collector, then branch mint proofs are perhaps to be compared to dishes ot peacocks’ tongues.” Indeed, the addition of this great rarity to a cabinet would be seen as a coup for even the most sophisticated collector, and its appearance herein is one ol the highlights of the present sale. PCGS Population: 1; none finer. Only two have been certified by PCGS in all grades, the other is the 1973 GENA specimen that is now certified Proof-63. That specimen, once deeply toned and showing a deep flaw under M of AMERICA, sold in 1995 in a private transaction for $65,000. NGC has certified two specimens, both as Proof-63. Apparently the piece cherrypicked in April 1975 by Roy Rauch at a New York coin show as a prooflike Mint State piece, and then sold by him in the late 1970s. Its later travels are not known.