It's a catchphrase that's been used in many ways, but it fits this 1899 double eagle graded PF-67 Ultra Cameo by NGC and certified by CAC. Heritage Auctions' Sept. 14-17 Long Beach Expo U.S. Coins Signature Auction will feature it.
“This auction features coins of exceptional quality throughout, and this Liberty Head double eagle is as appealing as any,” said Heritage Auctions executive vice president Todd Imhof. Originally, only 84 were minted, and only 30 remain. This coin has the greatest grade of any survival, including the Smithsonian's. It's the kind of trophy-level coin that can take center stage in any collection.”
The coin tops a list of rare numismatic prizes: According to PCGS Coinfacts, just 32 Cameos exist in all grades, including 10 in Gem condition or better. just one is graded PF-66. This is one of three NGC PF-67 Ultra Cameo coins; none are higher. The auction's Premier Session from the Mercury Rising Collection includes 11 lots, including this 1899 double eagle:
The auction includes an 1854-D $3 gold AU-58 NGC, a rare piece with a mintage of 1,120 and the only $3 issue made at Dahlonega. High-end AU coins like this one from one of the series' major dates are a must-have for serious collectors because demand rises for examples over XF. NGC and PCGS have rated only 13 Mint State coins, and re-submissions suggest duplication.
A 1796 Capped Bust Right eagle, AU-50 NGC, is harder to find than its 1795 counterpart, which has five die variants. John Dannreuther believes 125-175 samples in all grades survive. The Samuel Winans Collection of Liberty Head double eagles includes several with difficult dates and mintmarks will be auctioned. The collection's 73 collector-friendly lots include:
An 1861-S Paquet double eagle, AU-55 PCGS, by an assistant Mint engraver who never became chief but was called “one of the most skilled engravers and die-sinkers employed by the government” after his death. Only eight are scored -55, while nine are higher.
An attractive 1862 double eagle MS-63+ NGC, CAC, made limited domestic commercial use but was exported abroad for international trade and payments. The issue is rare today due to early numismatic disinterest. One of three -63 examples, with one nicer, this sample has never been auctioned.
One of 55 Carson City $20s is an 1871-CC double eagle, AU-55 NGC. A Mint gold specialist stated that many 1871-CC double eagles had been cleaned, creating demand for a minimally abraded sample like this auction's, an outstanding AU grade coin with minor wear. The Stuard Collection of Morgan Dollars has 86 lots, including 30 Premier Session lots with a great assortment of silver dollar dates and grades. Top attractions in the collection:
An 1889-CC Morgan, MS-64 NGC, is from a mintage that either went nearly totally into circulation or was melted to finance the 1918 Pittman Act, which melted over 270 million silver dollars. In addition to the millions of San Francisco Mint dollars already in Treasury vaults, the Carson City Mint closed in 1885 and reopened in 1889, reducing mintage. Except for odd Choice offerings like this one, purchasing this issue is practically difficult.
The 1893-S Morgan dollar, AU-55 NGC, is a superb specimen of the rarest Morgan dollar in Mint State due to its low mintage of 100,000 and high circulation.
MS-66 PCGS 1904-S Morgan dollars are rare in any Mint State grade, but especially Premium Gem. PCGS has only one Prooflike coin this fine, and finer non-Prooflike coins are unusual. This coin is one of 21 graded -66 (three in -66+), with two finer. A month-long Showcase auction for the James E. Blake Collection of U.S. Colonial Coins & Tokens closed Sept. 5. In addition to the ten lots in this auction,
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