1908 $20 Motto, Matte PR(PCGS#9205)

1908 $20 Motto, Matte PR (PCGS#9205)

The March 2011 Baltimore Auction

详细说明: 1908 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Motto. Proof-66 (NGC). This rare Double Eagle represents the first obtainable year of issue in proof of the Saint-Gaudens design. The surfaces are virtually perfect with just one or two faint signs of handling over the 103 years since it was coined. Boldly struck in all areas, there's a partial wire rim on the reverse between 12:00 and 7:00. This particular coin has a light yellow-gold finish described by Walter Breen as "Light Matte Finish" in his Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins 1722-1989. At the time of writing Walter Breen had only examined one example, which he attributed to Lester Merkin, 1965, a leading numismatist of the era.     There were at least three different types of finishes used to coin proof 1908 Double Eagles, all were experimental and derived from Paris Mint techniques. The most common format for 1908 $20 proofs was "Dark Matte Finish" of which Breen notes in his Encyclopedia on U.S. proof coinage: "I have seen a couple of dozen in all."