1889 Indian Gold Dollar, Type 3, Proof-67 (PCGS)
Original Cellophane Toned Gem Proof

This is a wonderful, original, Gem Proof Gold Dollar. The surfaces are nearly perfect but for the almost inevitable lintmarks, including a curved lintmark in the upper reverse field above the wreath. The "cellophane" toning is unmistakably natural, with shades of orange, rose, and amber highlighted by splashes of soft green about the central obverse. The fields are deeply reflective and the strike bold but for the characteristically weak ERT in Liberty's headband.

At 1,779 coins, 1889 Proof Gold Dollars carry the highest mintage of any Proof Gold Dollar. However, this high mintage is insignificant as most went unsold and were later melted. Current estimates suggest that maybe 200 or so survive, yet even this number is probably too generous relative to certified populations, as PCGS reports only 66 coins in all grades combined. This example is tied for the Finest Certified by PCGS, with only one other graded PCGS PR67, and none reported higher.

Provenance:

• (Bowers and Merena 10/1990: lot 463 as PCGS PR66 @ $19,800)