Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature US Coin Sale 1258 2-6 Aug 2017
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Proof Liberty Double Eagles
1895 $20 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC. The allure of 19th century proof gold is multifaceted. For some, absolute rarity might be a deciding factor when it comes to evaluating desirability. In the case of the 1895 proof double eagle, only 51 examples were manufactured. If Bowers, Breen, and other researchers are to be believed, then possibly 25 to 30 specimens survive across all grades and contrast categories. The certification totals corroborate those estimates. Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth explain in their Gold Encyclopedia: "The Proof 1895 double eagle is another issue that is surprisingly difficult to locate. Very few examples have been offered for sale in recent decades."
Having established that the 1895 proof double eagle is very rare in the absolute sense, we can now look at the grade distribution of known survivors to determine where this amazing PR66 Ultra Cameo ranks. NGC reports 10 submissions in all, eight in Cameo and two in Ultra Cameo. The average grade among those examples is 64.1. PCGS has seen 13 non-Cameo proofs with an average grade of 61.5, three Cameo proofs with an average grade of 64.3, and six Deep Cameo representatives with an average grade of 64.7.
Clearly, the 1895 is a major rarity with Ultra or Deep Cameo contrast, and certainly in Premium Gem condition. In fact, only two PR66 representatives are known. One is the PR66 Deep Cameo coin certified by PCGS, formerly of the Bass Collection. This NGC-certified PR66 Ultra Cameo twenty dollar gold piece is tied with the Bass coin for finest certified (6/17).
Virtually flawless surfaces feature deep orange-gold coloration that lightens a touch over the thickly frosted motifs and turns jet-black within the profoundly mirrored fields. Those same fields show the classic orange-peel texture that characterizes carefully made proofs from this period, yet another contributing factor to the undeniable appeal of this phenomenal rarity. A premium bid will be required to walk away with this lot.
From The Michael C. Hollen Collection, Part II
HID02901242017
1895 $20 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC. The allure of 19th century proof gold is multifaceted. For some, absolute rarity might be a deciding factor when it comes to evaluating desirability. In the case of the 1895 proof double eagle, only 51 examples were manufactured. If Bowers, Breen, and other researchers are to be believed, then possibly 25 to 30 specimens survive across all grades and contrast categories. The certification totals corroborate those estimates. Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth explain in their Gold Encyclopedia: "The Proof 1895 double eagle is another issue that is surprisingly difficult to locate. Very few examples have been offered for sale in recent decades."
Having established that the 1895 proof double eagle is very rare in the absolute sense, we can now look at the grade distribution of known survivors to determine where this amazing PR66 Ultra Cameo ranks. NGC reports 10 submissions in all, eight in Cameo and two in Ultra Cameo. The average grade among those examples is 64.1. PCGS has seen 13 non-Cameo proofs with an average grade of 61.5, three Cameo proofs with an average grade of 64.3, and six Deep Cameo representatives with an average grade of 64.7.
Clearly, the 1895 is a major rarity with Ultra or Deep Cameo contrast, and certainly in Premium Gem condition. In fact, only two PR66 representatives are known. One is the PR66 Deep Cameo coin certified by PCGS, formerly of the Bass Collection. This NGC-certified PR66 Ultra Cameo twenty dollar gold piece is tied with the Bass coin for finest certified (6/17).
Virtually flawless surfaces feature deep orange-gold coloration that lightens a touch over the thickly frosted motifs and turns jet-black within the profoundly mirrored fields. Those same fields show the classic orange-peel texture that characterizes carefully made proofs from this period, yet another contributing factor to the undeniable appeal of this phenomenal rarity. A premium bid will be required to walk away with this lot.
From The Michael C. Hollen Collection, Part II
HID02901242017