Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3056 3 Aug 2017
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South Africa
Republic gold Proof "Double Shaft" 1/2 Pond 1892 PR65 Cameo NGC, Berlin mint, KM9.1, Hern-Z38. Estimated mintage of 20 pieces. An astounding coin for which only superlative seem appropriate. Not only is this first-year 1/2 pond issue a great rarity in absolute terms (with the aforementioned estimated mintage of 20 pieces in proof), but conditionally, this piece leaves nothing to be desired, being one of, if not the finest extant of the issue and the single finest graded by either NGC or PCGS. Expertly produced, the fields glisten with the deeply reflective characteristics of proofs of a more modern vintage. While much of this can be attributed to the leading manufacturing standards employed at the Berlin mint during this period, a large part is also due to its careful storage since that time, with no haze or marks visible to the naked eye and only the most trivial forms of handling coming to light when viewed with a loupe. The cameo-producing frost over the raised designs further elevates the appearance of manufacturing sophistication on this coin, with a strength between fields and raised surfaces that is truly on the cusp of what is generally assigned the "Ultra Cameo" designation at NGC. When all attributes are considered together, one can only concluded that this 1/2 pond is among the finest coins that South Africa had to offer. Truly, it is a prize for the most fortunate set-builder of this countries coinage!
HID02901242017
Estimate: 75000-95000 USD
Republic gold Proof "Double Shaft" 1/2 Pond 1892 PR65 Cameo NGC, Berlin mint, KM9.1, Hern-Z38. Estimated mintage of 20 pieces. An astounding coin for which only superlative seem appropriate. Not only is this first-year 1/2 pond issue a great rarity in absolute terms (with the aforementioned estimated mintage of 20 pieces in proof), but conditionally, this piece leaves nothing to be desired, being one of, if not the finest extant of the issue and the single finest graded by either NGC or PCGS. Expertly produced, the fields glisten with the deeply reflective characteristics of proofs of a more modern vintage. While much of this can be attributed to the leading manufacturing standards employed at the Berlin mint during this period, a large part is also due to its careful storage since that time, with no haze or marks visible to the naked eye and only the most trivial forms of handling coming to light when viewed with a loupe. The cameo-producing frost over the raised designs further elevates the appearance of manufacturing sophistication on this coin, with a strength between fields and raised surfaces that is truly on the cusp of what is generally assigned the "Ultra Cameo" designation at NGC. When all attributes are considered together, one can only concluded that this 1/2 pond is among the finest coins that South Africa had to offer. Truly, it is a prize for the most fortunate set-builder of this countries coinage!
HID02901242017
Estimate: 75000-95000 USD