1899 $2.50, DCAM PR66DCAM Certification #53980439, PCGS #97925

Ron Guth

Deep Cameo Proof 1899 Quarter Eagles are some of the nicest-quailty, classic coins on the market.  Of all the examples recorded in the PCGS Population Report, virtually all are PR64DCAM or better and there is a nice, fairly even distribution of examples in the grades from PR65DCAM to (believe it or not!) PR68DCAM.  In short, there are some glittering little jewels available to collectors.  These coins come well struck with intense cameo contrast and they often have subtle hints of coppery toning.  An occasional lint mark will show up, but these are generally not a problem on this date.

PCGS shows a lot of non-Cameo 1899 Quarter Eagles in their Population Report, but many of those Proofs are likely to be Cameos and Deep Cameos.  This is because PCGS did not recognize Cameo contrast in the early days.  As the early-graded coins come back through, they will be evaluated and given the proper designation.