 1825 O.116 (Rarity-8 as Proof). Choice Brilliant Proof. Breen Plate Coin. An exceptionally bold strike on Liberty and obviously a Proof issue with deep watery fields, sharp stars on the right of the obverse while those on the left are slightly soft, as are the base of the 'AT' of STATES on the reverse, the area opposite Liberty's bust. A coin with a strong ''presence'' which exudes the mirror fields and frosty devices expected on later Proof issues. Walter Breen included a photograph of this exact coin in his Complete Encyclopedia published in 1988 and noted this coin to be a Proof in his opinion. Steel gray dominates the surfaces, with russet-gold around the devices and rims, which produces a desirable antique appearance. Minor hairlines in the fields keep this one from a higher grade, but there are no problem nicks or handling scratches to distract the eye.
Breen enumerates several Proof examples from up to three different die pairings, while Herrman's AMBPR lists just two Proof examples to appear in the past sixteen years. Further pedigree research would be fruitful as many such coins were plated in auction appearances. One example of the O.113 variety is considered PR62 by PCGS which last sold by Superior in their Boys Town Sale, May 1990, lot 3796 for $8,800. An extremely rare date in Proof and seldom offered.
Ex Stack's, March 1996, lot 364; Lester Merkin's Sale, February 1971, lot 703; Krouner (per Breen).
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