Heritage World Coin Auctions
CICF Signature Sale 3032 10-12 April 2014
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Canada
Newfoundland. Victoria Specimen 10 Cents 1880, London mint, KM3, SP65 PCGS. Meticulously detailed throughout with devices that boldly ascend from fully prooflike fields. Atop the surfaces, deep variegated patina of largely green and blue hue adds to the appeal. Close inspection yields the die polish lines in the fields (as made) that one would expect from Specimens of this period, but suggests something far more interesting when the reverse is studied. Previously undetailed in any catalog or reference we have read, close inspection confirms that the reverse die for this year was a reworked and reused die from the 1870s. Tell tale signs include die cracks that nearly fully circumnavigate the legends, connecting numerous dots along the way. While not definitive by any means, the remains of a 7 (both the diagonal portion and crossbar) under the second 8, all but conclusively prove the fact. While not increasing of the rarity of this already excessively rare piece, it does add quite a bit to the mystery of its production, and beckons for more scholarly insight. Of the four examples examined by PCGS, this piece is tied with one other specimen for the distinction of highest graded.Ex: Belzberg Collection (Heritage 1/03, Lot-15725)From The Prager Collection of Canadian Specimen Coins
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD
Newfoundland. Victoria Specimen 10 Cents 1880, London mint, KM3, SP65 PCGS. Meticulously detailed throughout with devices that boldly ascend from fully prooflike fields. Atop the surfaces, deep variegated patina of largely green and blue hue adds to the appeal. Close inspection yields the die polish lines in the fields (as made) that one would expect from Specimens of this period, but suggests something far more interesting when the reverse is studied. Previously undetailed in any catalog or reference we have read, close inspection confirms that the reverse die for this year was a reworked and reused die from the 1870s. Tell tale signs include die cracks that nearly fully circumnavigate the legends, connecting numerous dots along the way. While not definitive by any means, the remains of a 7 (both the diagonal portion and crossbar) under the second 8, all but conclusively prove the fact. While not increasing of the rarity of this already excessively rare piece, it does add quite a bit to the mystery of its production, and beckons for more scholarly insight. Of the four examples examined by PCGS, this piece is tied with one other specimen for the distinction of highest graded.Ex: Belzberg Collection (Heritage 1/03, Lot-15725)From The Prager Collection of Canadian Specimen Coins
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD