 1866 B.3. Gem Brilliant Proof with Deep Cameo devices. A frosty white coin that shows bold contrast between the mirror fields and devices. The surfaces are free of all but the most minute hairlines and the eye appeal is simply wonderful for such a large, early Proof Dollar. Toning adheres to the extreme edge and ranges through the usual gold to blue colors, but stops at the dentils. On the reverse there is a trace of cloudiness, some left of the eagle's wing, another area high and to the right. Identifiable by a very short lintmark in the crotch of the second star beneath the two lowest points. On this die, the date slants up to the right, and there is a small engraver's slip above the wrist on Liberty's right arm which is seen in the field along her arm. The reverse has a thin die line extending up and left from the third leaf from the top, and there are remains of the guide lines to engrave the die above 'ST' of STATES below the dentils.
Breen states that this date is no scarcer than most others from the decade in Proof, but has always been very popular as the first year that the new motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse. Thankfully for collectors, a handful exist in Gem Proof condition and when combined with the heavily frosted devices combine to make such a coin highly desirable.
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