1858 G$1, DCAM PR(PCGS#97608)

August 2021 ANA U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

4159

等级

PR65DCAM

价格

326,514

详细说明

Vivid Gem Deep Cameo Proof 1858 Gold Dollar A Major Numismatic Rarity 1858 Gold Dollar. JD-1, the only known dies. Rarity-6+. Proof-65 Deep Cameo (PCGS). CAC. This important and fleeting offering is one of our few for the Proof 1858 gold dollar over the years, which is not surprising given the extreme rarity of this issue. A beautiful coin with undeniable Gem quality, both sides exhibit vivid reddish-gold color to surfaces that are silky smooth in appearance. The fields are deeply mirrored and form a splendid backdrop to frosty, fully impressed design elements. Close inspection with a loupe reveals faint traces of the desirable "orange peel" texture in the fields, a characteristic of the finish that would become more prevalent (and pronounced) for Proof gold coins beginning in the 1860s. Provenance markers are difficult to come by, so close to pristine are the surfaces, although the persistent viewer will note a short, extremely faint planchet streak in the left obverse field inside the letters IT in UNITED and a minuscule planchet void at the lower obverse border after the final letter A in AMERICA. Both of these features are as made. Beautiful and rare, this coin's inclusion will enhance even the finest numismatic cabinet. The year 1858 represents the first in which the United States Mint marketed Proof coinage to contemporary collectors in earnest, although mintage figures for gold and silver coins were not recorded until the following year. (Proof minor coin mintages were not recorded until 1878.) Commensurate with these enhanced commercial offerings, mintage figures increased over totals achieved in previous years, although tentatively at first, and especially for gold coinage which (then as now) appeal to only the most advanced collectors with sufficiently deep pockets. The mintage for the Proof 1858 gold dollar is often estimated in the range of 25 to 40 pieces, John W. Dannreuther taking the most conservative approach with an estimate of 25 coins struck in his 2018 reference United States Proof Coins, Volume IV: Gold. The author accounts for just 14 to 16 survivors and, while he provides detailed provenance information on several examples, the specimen offered here is included under "Additional appearances" within the notation: "V: PCGS PR65 DCAM, 2 unattributed examples, possibly among the above." With plate matching extremely difficult, the provenance of this coin prior to the 21st century has so far eluded numismatic scholars. What is certain, however, is that it is among the finest certified for this rare and historic issue. When one further considers that two of the known specimens are permanently impounded in the Smithsonian and ANS collections, the fleeting nature of this offering can hardly be overstated. For once this coin is sold, it may be many years before another Proof 1858 gold dollar of any quality appears at auction, and perhaps even decades until the next offering of a premium Gem-quality specimen. Only a single die marriage is known for this issue, perhaps not surprisingly so given the extremely limited estimated mintage. The obverse is readily attributable by the presence of a tiny die chip on Liberty's forehead above the eye. Provenance: From the Castle Pines Collection. Earlier ex Ira & Larry Goldberg's Pre-Long Beach Auction of February 2008, lot 2284; Heritage's FUN Signature Auction of January 2011, lot 5007; Heritage's Sacramento ANA Signature Auction of March 2011, lot 4608; Heritage's Chicago Signature Auction of August 2011, lot 7423. PCGS Population: 2; 3 finer in this category (all Proof-66 Deep Cameo). CAC Population: 1; 1. PCGS# 97608. NGC ID: 25DZ. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Click here to see Coins in Motion.[“Coins]