Proof Indian Quarter Eagles
1908 $2 1/2 PR66 NGC. The 1908 is the most available of the proof Indian quarter eagles, as more examples were purchased and preserved due to the novelty of the first-year issue. However, it is still scarce in all grades. Of the 236 proofs struck, approximately 146 are thought to survive, according to the new reference work The Gold Indians of Bela Lyon Pratt, by Allan Schein (2016). A minority of these are in Gem or better grades. The estimate suggests that numerous resubmissions inflate the certified population figures, which report a total of 236 grading events (coincidentally equal to the original mintage at this time).
The 1908 sandblast (or matte) proof Indian quarter eagle lacks the fine feather detail on the eagle's wing like its circulation strike counterpart, as that element of the design was not fine-tuned until 1909. This Premium Gem example is otherwise intricately detailed and exhibits rich wheat-gold luster with unmarked surfaces. Census: 37 in 66, 31 finer (6/17).
HID02901242017