Heritage Auctions will sell a PR64 graded cameo 1884 double eagle as part of its July 7-10 Summer FUN US Coins Signature Auctions in Orlando.
The US Treasury produced much lower than average numbers of double eagles throughout the 1880s, with this being the rarest proof only issue.
 The coin is one of around 15-20 surviving proof double eagles from 1884 |
Heritage comments: "The move was intended to increase the circulation of smaller-denomination gold coins, the eagle and half eagle, among the American populace, and perhaps to try to encourage future gold depositors to order those smaller denominations in preference to the double eagles.
"…only 15 to 20 pieces survive today of the proof-only 1884, or somewhere between 20% to 30% of the original production.
"This makes the 1884, unsurprisingly, the lowest-survival issue of the three proof-only issues."
It's offered with an opening bid of $146,875.
Another cameo specimen sold for $164,500 at Heritage in 2014.
A PR65 graded 1846 seated dollar will provide another highlight, with bidding to start at $94,000.
The lot is the second finest issue of the 20-30 proofs known for this particular year.
Many of the proof seated dollars struck before 1858 are restrikes, with earlier dates stamped over their actual year of production.
The present lot is a notable exception.
We have an excellent selection of rare coins in our online store.
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