1
195
bid online at
(800) 978-COIN (2646)
|
Session Three - Monday, June 2, 2014 10:00 AM
Ultimately, it turned out to be impractical to strike each coin with several blows from the dies to bring up the high relief. It is also not practical
to increase striking pressure to the point where the dies wear rapidly and breakage occurs. Doing this would cause further problems. We see
with other high relief designs, that the Mint had to compromise the artist’s concept to meet the demands of efficient, high-speed coin produc-
tion.
Die Characteristics:
On the Proof 67 coin, the ray on the reverse that passes through the N of ONE is much longer than on the Proof 64,
much longer than on any other business strike 1921 or 1922 Peace Dollar.
Also, one thing that the PR67 has that isn't seen on the PR64 or any other business strikes is the very short ray segment that is next to the
rim, wedged between the tail and the tip of the wing. The rays are rounded, and magnification reveals a small defect in the area between the
eagle's talon and leg, and the olive branch, as seen on others from this reverse die.
Provenance:
Originally acquired by Mint Director Raymond T. Baker. Raymond Thomas Baker (1877-1935) was a wealthy United States businessman who
was Director of the United States Mint from 1917 to 1922. Baker was born in Eureka, Nevada in 1877, the son of George Washington Baker,
the lead counsel of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and Mary Agnes (Hall) Baker. He was educated at the University of Nevada, Reno, then at
Stanford University.
After college, Baker became involved in gold mining as one of the first investors active in Rawhide, Nevada. He became a rich man when he
sold his claims. He then moved east. Baker had a longtime interest in prison reform and in 1911, with his brother, Cleve Baker, serving as
Nevada Attorney General, Raymond T. Baker became warden of the Nevada State Prison, a position he held from February 1, 1911 to May 10,
1912. In 1915, Baker traveled to Russia to become confidential secretary to United States Ambassador to Russia George T. Marye, Jr.
In 1917, President of the United States Woodrow Wilson appointed Baker Director of the United States Mint and Baker subsequently held this
office from March 1917 until March 1922,
On June 12, 1918, he married Margaret (Emerson) Vanderbilt, widow of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt I, who had died in the RMS Lusitania sink-
ing.
During the 1926 Senate elections, Baker sought election as United States Senator from Nevada on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by
the Republican incumbent, Tasker Oddie.
After a decade of marriage, Baker and his wife divorced. On December 4, 1928, he married a second time, to Delphine (Dodge) Cromwell,
daughter of Horace Elgin Dodge (who founded the Dodge automobile company), and ex-wife of James H. R. Cromwell.
Baker died on April 28, 1935, approximately three months after suffering a heart attack.
R.T. Baker passed all his belongings to his “Daughter” Yvonne Ranger. Years later while going through her inheritance from her father were
these two Peace Dollars wrapped in the envelopes. These two Peace Dollars were given as a token of appreciation from Yvonne to her hus-
band’s business partner, Mr. Murphy. Upon Murphy's death in 2013 he left his three children these two remarkable High Relief Proof Peace Dol-
lars.
(Lineage of Yvonne Ranger)
(Grandfather) Horace E. Dodge -- (Grandmother) Anna Thompson -- They had two children Horace Jr. and Delphine Dodge
(Father) Raymond T. Baker -- (Mother) Delphine Dodge. (
PCGS # 7383
)
List of Proof 1922 High Relief Peace Dollars
There are at least four distinct 1922 Proof Peace Dollar issues, struck in High Relief and Low Relief, having either a Satin or a Matte/Sandblast
finish. The following is the High Relief roster only, satin Proof first:
1.)
1922 High Relief "Medium Ray" Satin Finish,
The PCGS PR64 "Indicator" piece being one example. These Proofs were made from
dies that are essentially the same relief and design specifications as the 1921 design. Mintage: 104,001 (per envelope), virtually all melted.
Known examples
:
PCGS PR64 #29547404
NGC PR63 #1847564-001 Heritage, Sept 2006, Lot#2574 $26,000.01
2.)
1922 High Relief "Long Ray" Matte Finish,
This PCGS PR67 "Hybrid" piece being one example. These Proofs were made in somewhat
lower relief than the Medium Ray pieces, but still regarded as High Relief. Mintage: 20 pieces (per envelope)
Known examples:
PCGS PR67 #29547405
The present coin.
NGC PR67 #1727946-051 Heritage, Jan 2014, Lot#5347, $329,000.00
NGC PR66 #1274863-002 Heritage, April 2009, Lot#2658, $161,000.00
NGC PR66 #1634739-001 Ex Norweb, Heritage, April 2002, Lot#4354, $51,750.00
NGC PR65 ____________ Goldbergs Jan 2004 Lot#2841 (unsold) Rev spot below E of E PLURIBUS
PCGS VF25 #02423037 Heritage April 2006, Lot#6536, $10,637.50.
Estimated Value ................................................................................................................................................................. $250,000-UP
Ex: Raymond T. Baker Director of the U.S. Mint 1917 to 1922
.
