Lot 1341
1886 $3 Gold. NGC graded Proof 64 Cameo. The Philadelphia Mint reports 142 were struck in Proof, of those the best retain a cameo appearance from the dies. To obtain the cameo appearance, the dies were first dipped in a light acid, which etches the surfaces, then the dies were cleaned and dried, and the high points (the fields) were then polished to a mirror smoothness. Thus, when a coin is struck, the fields are reflective and smooth, while the devices show tiny raised areas, with a pebbly appearance, which give the devices a frosted appearance from the brief acid bath. The cameo effect is quite beautiful, and when done well as offered here, makes a proof coin quite stunning in appearance. Identifiable by a tiny mark in the field below the I of AMERICA and another centered in the field under Liberty. NGC has graded 31 this high, with 18 graded higher.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
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