1910 $5 PR(PCGS#8541)

December 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2393

Grade

PR63

Price

19,200

Lot Description

Captivating Satin Proof 1910 Half Eagle 1910 Indian Half Eagle. JD-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. Proof-63 (PCGS). CAC. This lovely half eagle combines strong eye appeal with superior technical quality for the assigned grade. Bright and satiny in appearance, the carefully preserved surfaces beautifully display the so-called "Roman Finish" that characterizes this issue. The color is deep medium gold with a tinge of pale olive, and the strike is razor sharp even on the most intricate design elements. As with the identically dated Proof quarter eagle, the Proof 1910 half eagle was produced with the same satin finish that the Mint used to strike Proof 1909 gold coins. Also like its quarter eagle counterpart, the 1910 half eagle mintage is a poor indicator of the rarity of examples. While official documentation provides a mintage figure of 250 Proofs for this issue, John W. Dannreuther (2018) asserts that only 80 to 90 coins are extant in all grades. If the number of coins struck is accurate, which seems likely, then the majority were undoubtedly destroyed in the Mint when they failed to sell to contemporary collectors. This is an upper end Proof-63 with quality and eye appeal that would not disappoint in a higher-graded holder. Scarce, desirable, and worthy of the strongest bids. PCGS# 8541. NGC ID: 28E4. Click here for certification details from PCGS.