United States 1885 gold dollar
This specimen was lot 783 in Scotsman's Midwest Summer Sale (St. Louis, July 2012), where it sold for $____. The catalog description noted, "1885 PCGS PF-66 Cameo. No mistake is possible regarding the proper proof format designation, as thickly textured devices contrast very well with the reflective fields and assure strong cameo effect. Hands down, the presentation is serenely beautiful. While no nineteenth century proof gold issues can properly be called "common", the proof gold dollars of 1885 saw the peak mintage for the type, with 1,105 struck at the Philadelphia mint. Most in existence are well produced, as is the case here, with extremely sharp definition evident across all details. A very faint copper spot appears in front of Liberty's nose, while a micro-fiber strikethrough that rests next to "U" in UNITED serves as a pedigree marker." This issue from the Philadelphia mint is not rare but gold proofs usually bring exalted prices. Gold dollars were issued 1849-89 with type III dollar production commencing in 1856. However, the last serious issue for circulation was in 1873-74, with dates after that appearing in only token amounts. Enough were saved that assembling a set is not difficult for those with deep pockets.
Recorded mintage: 12,261 including 1,105 proofs.
Specification: 1.67 g, 0.900 fine gold, .049 troy oz AGW, 15 mm diameter, reeded edge, designed by James Longacre.
Catalog reference: KM 86, Fr-94.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Garcia, James, and Jay Woodside, The Midwest Summer Sale, St Louis, MO: Scotsman Auction Co., 2012.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
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