1911 Indian Quarter Eagle, Proof-67 (PCGS)
Original Superb Gem Proof

Superb, original mustard yellow in color, which is characteristic of this date. The Matte surfaces are nearly perfect and unbroken, but for two short, thin reverse hairlines, one in the field below F in OF, the other off of the right foot of A in AMERICA. A few trivial spots are evidence of this coin's originality, with the most visible on the obverse above star 2, to the right of star 12, and on the reverse above E in E PLURIBUS, and off the end of the fraction bar in the denomination. Bear in mind that these spots are much more visible in the enlarged images than they appear on the coin.

PCGS reports a total of 15 PR67s graded for this date, none finer, a number that has stayed the same for quite a while. Additionally, the market has been nearly void of PCGS certified Gem Matte Proof Gold for the past couple of years, so that the availability of even a single Gem, original coin typically generates a great deal of interest. Finally, I expect that most of the high grade Matte Proof Gold formerly certified by PCGS has now been regraded higher by NGC after "conservation" by NCS. Unfortunately, the artificially "white gold" Matte Proofs that have passed through NCS, NGC's sister company, will never be the same.