 1859 Choice Brilliant Proof with claims to the Gem category. Breen Type I obverse and reverse (the reverse exhibits a hollow eye on the eagle). The diagnostics of the coin offered here are consistent with Briggs' Proof variety 1-A (thick base to the '1' in the date, wide upright with a shorter, somewhat thicker serif; vertical lines 5, 6, and 7 do not touch the bottom of the shield on the reverse, spur lines run diagonally downward from the ends of lightly repunched horizontal shield lines, unfinished areas are apparent along the inside bottom curve of the shield). A shade of emerald-golden toning is highlighted by hints of rose and delicate sky-blue iridescence. Breen describes this Type I obverse and reverse Proof die pair as very rare, as the vast majority of the Proofs of this date (as indicated in the description of the prior lot) are struck using a Type II obverse and reverse.
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