 1875 Very Choice Brilliant Proof. A powerful reflective gleam distinguishes this coin's glass-smooth fields. Devices stand out with lightly frosted beauty. Here is a spectacularly rare date boasting only 20 Proofs and 100 business strikes. Breen traced only 7 examples in his Proof Encyclopedia, but did not know of this piece and its companions that were long in residence as part of the historic Byron Reed Collection in the Omaha Public Library. With the Half Eagle and $3 listed under those denominations, this date is one of the most exciting rosters of sheer rarity among all 19th century Gold dates. Only five examples of this Proof date appear in the Dannreuther-Garrett 10-year auction record, none finer than the present example. This state of preservation appears to be the highest that is generally accessible to today's collectors. The 1982 Eliasberg coin was described at Proof-65; Stack's Amon G. Carter Collection was highlighted by a Brilliant Proof, whose rarity was underscored by the notation ''Only six appearances at auction in about 35 years.'' No example of this Proof rarity appeared in the Garrett, James A. Stack or the Dallas Bank Collections, This coin's appearance offers an historic opportunity for far-sighted bidders in this sale.
Ex Byron Reed Collection (Spink America Sale 8450, October 1996, part of lot 174).
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| Hammer Price: $190,000.00
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