Lot 1416
Another 1858 Proof-Only Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 62. Once in a while over a span of years, the most active dealers will see an original or even carefully assembled 1858 Proof set. But that has become increasingly rare; in effect, numerical grading, with its vast differences in values between 63 and 65, say, has in effect pulled these sets apart. Because most of those sets, even the original matched ones, never had coins of consistent quality. This year, of course, was the first for sets issued intentionally by the Philadelphia Mint for sale to collectors, and those collectors were sparse. In 1858, evidently, only about 300 of them wanted sets--or maybe, just maybe, some of them bought multiple sets. Okay, more than maybe. The first coin investing? A few dozen have been graded--or more likely the number's distorted by multiple submissions. Whatever, we are dealing with a fairly rare and very desirable coin here. A Proof struck just prior to the Civil War. A big silver Proof, too. Doctor Jon's has some swirling hairlines beneath the color, and a tiny planchet flaw just northeast of the E in ONE on reverse. But all this is swept away in the viewer's mind by the lovely, lovely golden gray iridescence of the surfaces, evenly flowing over the mirrors, intense but not deep, elegant. We've looked at and sold tons of silver Proofs, some truly sensational and awe-inspiring for their perfection, but this specimen appeals to us--and should excite many a devoted collector.
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| Realized $5,923 |
