1909 VDB 1C, RB PR(PCGS#3301)

The June 2011 Baltimore Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

455

等级

PR65

价格

149,018

详细说明

1909 Lincoln Cent. V.D.B. Proof-65 RB (NGC). The color is a handsome blend of coppery-rose and golden tan that covers the obverse and reverse. Trace evidence of ever so slight wood-grain pattern toning has formed on the obverse, a feature quite common to copper coins of this period. As to the strike, this feature nudges on perfection in execution, with boldly defined beard elements on Lincoln, a crisp coat, and all the lettering and wheat ears showing the chiseled nature of these early proofs, with boldly defined precision on all elements of the design. In terms of color, surfaces, and strike, the present coin has literally everything a specialist could hope to find--and all in a gem package.<br /> <br /> Now for the really important facts, the Philadelphia Mint records that 1,194 pieces were struck with the VDB initials on the lower reverse. This feature met with considerable resistance soon after this new design was released and the designer's initials were removed from future strikings as soon as the bureaucratic wheels could turn sufficiently. Apparently, most of the original mintage of proofs were not released, perhaps they were melted but certainly don't exist today. After 25 years of certifying coins, the combined forces of NGC and PCGS have graded a grand total of 166 examples between them--obviously there will be some duplication in this number too. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that between 125 and 200 of these probably exist in Proof today, with only a modest percentage of these in true gem condition, and showing this degree of mint color. All told, this is one of the rarest and most desirable of the Twentieth Century proof issues, from the ever popular Lincoln Cent series. A formidable coin that has only recently become recognized for its true importance and understated rarity.