1896 $10, CAM PR(PCGS#88836)

1896 $10, CAM PR (PCGS#88836)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Deep olive undertones backlight dominant orange-gold color on this vivid and handsome specimen. The fields are somewhat cloudy, close inspection with a loups revealing light hairlining as the culprit, and also the explanation for the Proof-62 numeric grade from NGC. The actual physical appeal is much finer than the grade implies, however, especially since sharp contrast between reflective fields and frosty design elements is readily evident at all viewing angles.<p>It is an indication of the awesome rarity of classic U.S. Mint proof gold coinage that the 1896 eagle has one of the highest mintages of the type even though a mere 78 coins were struck. Along with the 1897 and 1898, this issue is one of the most consistently well struck and attractive in the entire Proof Liberty Head eagle series, making it a favorite among high quality gold type collectors. Most such numismatists will experience difficulty finding a suitable example of this issue, however, not because of an abundance of subpar examples, but because there are few Proof survivors of the date in general. Writing in the excellent reference <em>United States Proof Coins</em> (2018), John W. Dannreuther accounts for only 30 to 35 coins extant in all grades. That offered here delivers strong eye appeal for a more modest sum, and with the famous Bass provenance it will surely have no difficulty finding its way into an advanced numismatic cabinet.