1873 2C Closed 3, RD PR(PCGS#3653)

The August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale

拍卖行

Bowers & Merena

批号

247

等级

PR67

价格

358,043

详细说明

1873 Two-Cent Piece. Closed 3. Proof-67 RD (PCGS). Secure Holder. The 1873 Two-Cent piece is a proof-only issue with examples known with both the Closed 3 and Open 3 date logotypes. The Closed 3 is the original that represents the final delivery in the regular issue Two-Cent series. Since the United States Mint of the early 1870s did not keep records on the number of proof minor coins struck, we can only estimate the mintage for the 1873 Closed 3. At least 600 specimens were delivered for sale as part of the year's silver and minor coin proof sets, but the number of coins extant suggest that upward of a couple of hundred additional pieces may have been struck for individual sale. In this cataloger's opinion, therefore, the original mintage of this issue can be estimated as 600-800 pieces.<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The 1873 Closed 3 is an interesting issue in terms of relative rarity within the Two-Cent series. In terms of total number of coins extant the 1873 Closed 3 is among the more plentiful proofs of its type. This issue is an important condition rarity, however, with Gem full Red coins being rarer than those of the proof 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871 and 1872 issues. At the superb Gem level of preservation, this awe-inspiring specimen ranks as the single-finest 1873 Closed 3 known to PCGS. Bursting with full, original, reddish-orange color, both sides are also possessed of a lovely semi-reflective finish. The strike is razor sharp throughout, and there are no significant blemishes apart perhaps from a blush of pale-lilac tinting at the lower-reverse border. A stunning specimen with no known equal among proof 1873 Closed 3 Two-Cent pieces.