Lot 1184
BRILLIANT PROOF 1899 $20 GOLD. PCGS graded Proof 62 Premium quality. Here is perfect example of a victim of modern grading. Proof gold has always been highly regarded by collectors, and no doubt this coin was purchased from the Mint and cherished by a number of collectors for the past 101 years. During that time, the coin was gently wiped with a cloth by some prior owner or owners. This created light hairlines in the fields, and a few minor contact marks can also be seen. However, the devices are still highly frosted and the fields retain their mirror qualities. Placed on a velvet tray, no one has any doubt that this is a lovely proof double eagle, struck during a period which produced some of the highest quality proof gold ever seen. While this may not be in the running for the finest known, keep in mind that only 84 were struck, perhaps half of which escaped into circulation, either being spent by careless, or broke, owners during their first 40 years. This is one of the survivors which can be had at a significant discount to a less hairlined example. View it and see for yourself, most collectors would be proud to own such a coin, despite the rather modest grade. PCGS has only graded 20 examples in Proof, 1 of which is below the grade of Proof-60 (mishandled or circulated). In higher grades their Population Report shows the following: PF-61 1 coin; PF-62 1 coin (this one); PF-63 4 coins; PF-64 4 coins; PF-65 8 coins and a single PF-66. Not many to show for the original 84 mintage. An excellent value in todays market.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
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| Realized $9,775 |
