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.
No comments:
Post a Comment