5/12/25 3:14 PM
Gold: $3,236.30
Silver: $32.58
Platinum: $980.60
Palladium: $944.42
G/S: 99.34
Pt/G: 0.30
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map11005 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
phone 314-692-2646 email Email
hoursMon - Fri: 8am to 5pm (CT)
Sat: 8am - 4pm (CT)
Lot #: Go
Lot Title: 1853 Arrows NGC PR-65
Lot Number: 643
Description: The Michael Scot Collection. Mintage: 5 (estimated). The 1853 "with arrows" proof dime is too rare for combined certified population reports to be of any use, and quoting from them would be a disservice to a coin of legendary status. For example, a single piece (the Kaufman dime) currently residing in an NGC PR-66 holder was downgraded from a PCGS PR-66+ grade, yet it isn't clear whether it still figures into both population reports. Absurdly, for a coin whose mintage may have been five pieces at most, the two major grading services total up to NINE existing examples. At any rate, the present specimen carries no such baggage, as it has been in its original NGC holder for many years.

The "proof" origin of the 1853 dimes has been debated in other circles (as it always seems to be for early proofs), and this cataloger is not qualified to offer any subjective pronouncements, so let's simply move on to some defining characteristics of interest. In the first place, the dies were carefully prepared for this striking, without doubt. While clash marks remain on both sides, obvious effort was made to polish them off the dies ("lapping") as can be inferred by the innumerable parallel striations in the fields. Because this is such a bright, untoned example, it isn't difficult at all to examine the clash marks, which most obviously erupt to the right of Liberty's portrait. Here and there on the reverse, isolated raised areas, corresponding to low points of the die, can be seen, especially through "ME". This coin is a die-state specialist's dream.

Because of the NGC holder, we cannot examine the edge of the coin. However, persistent examination allows the viewer to determine that a knifelike edge raises up, apparently entire around both rims, and this indicates either extra striking pressure, or multiple strikes. In either case, that implies extra-special care taken during the manufacturing process. Finally, as befits the NGC "gem" grade, the coin was obviously preserved very carefully, the only contact being a microscopic tick at the top of the bosom. As a footnote, this coin evidently traces provenance back to "The 1853 Collection", sold by Superior in October 2005, Lot 4345.
PCGS #: 4742
Certification: 911403-004
Estimate: $25,000-$28,000
Lot Status: Bidding has been closed for this lot.
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1853 Arrows NGC PR-65
1853 Arrows NGC PR-65
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