 1835 O.110 (Rarity-8 as Proof). Very Choice Brilliant Proof. Similar to the 1834 O.106 in Proof above, the present coin is likely unique in the Proof format. The fields are wholly reflective while the devices are well frosted. Toned with dark gunmetal gray which reflects back hints of blue and russet in the fields. The surfaces are very clean and attractive for this issue, with minimal hairlines in the fields, and a short series of five tiny pin pricks in a line above the date; these will serve to identify this coin in the future. Some of the stars are not fully struck up at their centers, but Liberty's curls are bold and rounded. As often seen, the dies were not perfectly polished in the fields, with small areas of frost extending below Liberty's chin to neck, while the reverse displays more careful preparation.
One of the first coins struck (possibly the very first) as the first three stars show repunching, as well as the seventh, and there is a thin die line extending up from Liberty's chest paralleling her neck. On the reverse there is a tiny spike on the left upper corner of the shield and the 'A' in STATES is repunched to the right. Some of these features are found on later strikings, others were apparently lapped off. An extraordinary rarity in Proof as there are perhaps 6 examples known from four different die pairings in Proof format, plus an additional three coins from the O.111 die pairing which are restrikes with the crushed lettered edge. It appears that Breen discusses this exact coin or one very similar in his Proof Encyclopedia which he states is from the Krouner ''Gentleman's Study Collection'' (Deutsch, 1969-70). An opportunity for the astute numismatist. NGC PR64.
The following is a listing of the known Proof examples as compiled in AMBPR, Breen's Proof Encyclopedia and other sources.
O.101 PCGS PR64. Ariagno Collection (Goldbergs, May 1999, lot 342).
O.101 NGC PR64. Superior's Auction, May 1993, lot 543; probably the same as G. Lee Kuntz Auction (Superior, October 1991, lot 2069)
O.106 NGC PR64. Heritage's ANA Bullet Sale, July 1993, lot 284.
O.109 Proof-60. Norweb Collection (Bowers and Merena, November 1988, lot 3112).
O.110 NGC PR64. The Present Specimen. Americana Auction (Stack's, January 1998, lot 1203).
O.111 Restrikes. 4-6 Known including Mint Collection specimen, plated in The Fantastic 1804 Dollar; The Winsor Specimen, not plated, perhaps an Original but thought to have been a Restrike issue as that sale included Restrikes of the 1833 and 1834 Half Dollars; Earle Specimen-Louis Eliasberg-2003 ANA Sale; Hollinbeck Specimen advertised in The Numismatist in May 1946, page 594--possibly the Allenburger or Cass specimen; Allenburger Specimen--John J. Pittman--2003 ANA Sale; Cass Specimen.
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