Gavin's College Fund Coin Album
Before GC, was purchased by previous owner at HA 2021 June 17-20 U.S. Coins Signature Auction #1331. PR67 Deep Cameo, White-on-Black Contrast. From that sale: 1882 10C PR67 Deep Cameo PCGS. F-101, R.3. Proof 1882 dimes with Deep Cameo contrast are rare. As of (5/21), PCGS has certified only eight pieces as such. NGC has graded only seven coins as Ultra Cameo, with none above the PR66 level. The present Superb Gem is essentially as made, with glassy fields and frosty legends and motifs. A full strike contributes further to the quality. Population: 2 in 67 Deep Cameo, 0 finer (5/21).
A fully struck, nicely cameoed specimen adorned with delicate golden iridescence. The final twenty-cent issue, the scarce and eagerly sought 1878 is a Proof-only affair with just 600 coins struck. Originally part of B. Max Mehl's Gold Jubilee Sale of 1950, this coin is accompanied by not only the original lot tag, but also a copy of the Golden Jubilee Sale catalog, a B. Max Mehl envelope with provenance and other notes, and the original Mehl mailing box for the catalog. The box is somewhat tattered with some tears and the name of the original recipient obscured, but it is complete. Historic auction mementos such as this are rare, especially when they have been kept alongside one of the coins offered therein. The supporting items are available to the winning bidder upon request to Stack's Bowers Galleries at the close of the auction. (Total: 1 coin; 4 additional items) Provenance: Ex Jerome Kern; B. Max Mehl's Golden Jubilee Sale, May 1950, lot 1644. Original catalog, lot tag, Mehl envelope and Mehl mailing box included. PCGS Population: 34; 12 finer in this category (Proof-67 Cameo finest).
Top Pop. HA (7/22), Long Beach Expo/Summer FUN US Coins Signature Auction #1347 / Lot #3109. 1866 5C Rays PR67 Deep Cameo PCGS. An incredibly eye-appealing example of this short-lived Rays type, showing brilliant surfaces characterized by deep reflectivity in the fields and satiny luster on the devices. Cameo contrast is readily apparent on both sides, complementing pristine preservation. The 1866 Rays Shield nickel is a great rarity in Deep Cameo quality, with only four pieces so designated at PCGS. This example is the sole finest of those. The ultimate Registry Set candidate, in a class by itself. Population: 1 in 67 Deep Cameo, 0 finer (3/22). Ex: Just Having Fun Collection (Stack's Bowers, 11/2013), lot 2012. I was in the auction for another coin and bought this impromptu.
Brilliant apart from a few speckles of vivid peripheral toning, this boldly struck, highly lustrous example is sure to have no difficulty finding its way into a Mint State type set. Almost certainly from the Treasury Department silver dollar releases of 1962 to 1964, which source yielded up to three 1,000-coin bags of Uncirculated examples of the 1859-O. Along with the 1860-O, also widely represented in the Treasury Department releases, this is the most plentiful issue of the No Motto Liberty Seated design type in Mint State.
1881 Trade Dollar, PR67 Deep Cameo PCGS. Ex: Simpson. Beautifully Toned, Tied for Finest at PCGS. The 1881 Trade dollar was only struck in proof format, to the extent of 960 pieces. This is a well-made issue, often showing sharp strikes and strong contrast, and therefore it is popular as a type coin. Nonetheless, the date is conditionally rare in grades finer than the Gem level, and Superb Gems are almost never seen, regardless of the degree of cameo contrast. Eye appeal abounds, with stark contrast on each side warmed by golden interior toning. Vivid violet and blue border hues add to the appeal. Population: 2 in 67 Deep Cameo, 0 finer (11/25). Ex: US Coins Signature (Heritage, 2/2021), lot 3073.(Registry values: N7079).