Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Proof Liberty Quarter Eagles
1886 $2 1/2 PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. Only 88 proof Liberty quarter eagles were struck in 1886, with 25 examples issued with the gold proof sets in February and others coined throughout the year. Walter Breen notes possibly as many as 60 gold proof sets were issued, as the Mint Cabinet specimen was not received from the coiner until September 2, but it seems unlikely so many sets were actually distributed. In fact, it is much more likely that a significant portion of the mintage went unsold, to be melted after the end of the year. Prominent coin dealer H.P. Smith reported seeing many proof gold coins being mishandled by a clerk during a visit to the Mint in June of 1886, reducing the supply of non-impaired coins available to collectors.
The present coin is a spectacular Gem, with vivid orange-gold surfaces that show the slight "orange-peel" texture of the best 19th century proofs. The sharply detailed, frosty design elements contrast profoundly with the deeply mirrored fields and no mentionable defects are evident. Eye appeal is outstanding. Population: 5 in 65 Deep Cameo, 4 finer (11/16).
1886 $2 1/2 PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. Only 88 proof Liberty quarter eagles were struck in 1886, with 25 examples issued with the gold proof sets in February and others coined throughout the year. Walter Breen notes possibly as many as 60 gold proof sets were issued, as the Mint Cabinet specimen was not received from the coiner until September 2, but it seems unlikely so many sets were actually distributed. In fact, it is much more likely that a significant portion of the mintage went unsold, to be melted after the end of the year. Prominent coin dealer H.P. Smith reported seeing many proof gold coins being mishandled by a clerk during a visit to the Mint in June of 1886, reducing the supply of non-impaired coins available to collectors.
The present coin is a spectacular Gem, with vivid orange-gold surfaces that show the slight "orange-peel" texture of the best 19th century proofs. The sharply detailed, frosty design elements contrast profoundly with the deeply mirrored fields and no mentionable defects are evident. Eye appeal is outstanding. Population: 5 in 65 Deep Cameo, 4 finer (11/16).