1910 $2.50 PR(PCGS#7959)

October 2018 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

2116

等级

PR66+

价格

259,088

详细说明

Captivating Satin Proof 1910 Quarter Eagle 1910 Indian Quarter Eagle. JD-1, the only known dies. Proof-66+ (NGC). This lovely specimen readily reveals the fine satin finish characteristic of Proof 1909 and 1910 quarter eagles. Vivid medium gold patina throughout, the surfaces fully struck and so smooth as to suggest a Superb Gem grade. The 1910 is the second of only two Satin Proof issues in the Indian quarter eagle series, this finish introduced in 1909 in an effort to improve sales to contemporary collectors who did not like the Sandblast Proofs of 1908. In the end the new format proved just as unpopular, the Mint returning to a modified version of the Sandblast finish in 1911, which continued in use with subtle texture changes through the series' conclusion in 1915. The reason for the reversion to the sandblast finish seems to be a vote taken among attendees of the 1910 ANA convention, which showed that that finish was more popular than its satin counterpart among contemporary numismatists. The reported mintage of 682 pieces for the Proof 1910 bears no relation to the rarity of examples in today's market. Writing in the excellent new reference United States Proof Coins, Volume IV: Gold, John W. Dannreuther explains the reason for this unusually high mintage, as well as the fate of most coins struck:"Although it is more available than the 1909 with the same Proof treatment, a substantial number of the 682 quarter eagles struck in 1910 were likely spent by their buyers. Researcher Roger W. Burdette noted that the October 1910 issue of The Numismatist reported that no quarter eagles for circulation had been struck by that time. Collectors who saw this likely started ordering Proof quarter eagles, accounting for the unusually large mintage for this year."Just as they had done in the 1880s with the quarter and half dollar production, the Mint realized that rampant speculation in Proofs would ensue if no regular production coins were issued, so a quantity of regular issue 1910 quarter eagles were made in the last quarter. Collectors who had ordered 1910 Proof quarter eagles realized that their coins would not be rare Proof-only products and likely spent them. Thus, it [is] unlikely many more than 100 Proof coins are extant today." This is one of the finer certified survivors of this underrated issue, a lovely coin that will please even the most discerning gold enthusiast. NGC Census: 2; 15 finer (Proof-68 finest). PCGS# 7959. NGC ID: 289J.