Thursday, August 8, 2013

United States Coin of the Week: An Incredible Superb Gem 1865 Eagle Proof-66+ Deep Cameo (PCGS) CAC from our (Stack’s) March 1995 Sale of the James A. Stack Collection

By Greg Cohen, Professional Numismatist and Consignment Director, U.S. and World Coins based on the lot description by Jim Matthews, Senior Numismatist and Cataloger, U.S Coins.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to welcome back the fabulous Proof 1865 $10 from the James A. Stack Collection (March 1995), and offer it in our 2013 ANA Rarities Night Auction. This glorious example of an extremely rare Civil War date was one of only 25 examples struck in the Proof format. The offered coin displays bold cameo contrast between the frosted reliefs and reflective fields and rich gold color and orange peel surfaces add to the stunning visual quality of this coin. This is not only the finest example of the date, but it is also the finest certified of the entire No Motto eagle series! Only a few tiny planchet flakes and a lint mark (all are pedigree markers) keep the surfaces of the fields from being completely smooth. The overall quality cannot be overstated, and CAC agrees, their green sticker confirming the Proof-66+ Deep Cameo grade is affixed to the PCGS slab.

The last time this Gem was offered publicly was in our (Stack’s) March 1995 James A. Stack Collection Sale, Lot 585, where it was described as: “Very Choice Brilliant Proof. An extremely rare issue, one of only eight to 10 believed to survive.” Today, based on updated research, the survival number is estimated at perhaps 12-16 pieces (the combined PCGS and NGC population reports show 21 grading events, a number likely inflated due to resubmissions). The description then continues on, much the same today, expounding on the superlative surface quality and visual appeal. It is important to note as well that this is the PCGS Coin Facts website plate coin.


This beautiful eagle will cross the block on the evening of Thursday, August 15, as lot 4512 of our RaritiesNight auction session. Our lot viewing sessions in Irvine and New York were filled each day with enthusiasts viewing the thousands of great coins, medals, tokens, and banknotes that will be sold during the official ANA auction. If you did not attend viewing sessions in Irvine or New York, you can still view the coins at the convention center in Rosemont, starting at 2pm on Friday August 9; we look forward to seeing you, and as Dave Bowers frequently notes in his introduction to our auction sales, the red carpet will be rolled out for you! If you plan on bidding, and would like to take advantage of a few special payment options being offered for this sale (including consigning to our November Baltimore sale and using the proceeds to pay for your ANA purchases), please contact one of our consignment specialists. On behalf of the entire staff at Stack’s Bowers, I would like to wish all bidders the best of luck in securing this, and all the other wonderful rarities getting ready to cross the auction block.

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