66
|
Dimes
G
EM
P
ROOF
1874 A
RROWS
S
EATED
D
IME
Enlargement
343
1874. Arrows
.
PCGS graded Proof 66 PQ.
CAC
Approved
. Lovely rainbow toning on both sides. Only 700
minted. A frosted-fresh beauty, glowing with color, level,
rolling mirror field with gem surfaces. Judged from an aes-
thetic standpoint, the coin is also possessed of a much finer
strike than is typically found for an 1874 Seated Dime.
Because this is a Proof, it was given a second strike by the
(specially made) dies, which imparted even the finest detail
for all to admire. What a spectacular Gem Proof it is!
We might mention that the monetary inflation attendant to
the Civil War still had not worked its way through the econ-
omy by the time this special coin was struck. In fact, Amer-
ica experienced a sharp business setback in 1873-7, with
many who lived through it saying it was far more disruptive
than the more famous contraction of 1929. Congress found
it had once again to adjust the silver content of our coinage
in order to retain the balance between the gold and silver
ratio, thus keeping both metals at par (100%). As one can
see from Red Book data, mintage of Proofs stayed about
level while business strike production increased in 1873-74,
thereby effecting the return of small change to circulation
during the Reconstruction period. Someone with foresight,
insight, and an eye for beauty secured this Proof Dime in a
protected environment. It has since come down to us 140
years later, in pristine, beautifully toned condition.
Pop 9;
1 finer in 67
. (
PCGS # 4770
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $7,500 - 8,000
G
EM
P
ROOF
1874 A
RROWS
S
EATED
D
IME
Enlargement
344
1874. Arrows
.
PCGS graded Proof 66
. Nice light blue
toning. Only 700 minted. This impressive Proof Seated
Dime with the two-year Arrows at Date has shimmering
reflective fields on both sides, a coin whose lovely toned
originality causes the light striking it to move lightly and
swiftly over the colorful surface. As is often seen on this
type in Proof, the imprint that was left by the dies imparted
a sturdy sharpness to Liberty and the wreath, and this coin
stands apart from others by its outstanding natural toning.
It has a wonderful clear sharp strike.
Pop 9; 1 finer in
67
. (
PCGS # 4770
)
1874 is the year the Black Hills Gold Rush took place in
Dakota Territory in the United States. It began following the
Custer Expedition and reached its peak in 1876-77.
Prospectors found gold in near present-day Custer, South
Dakota, but the deposit turned out to be small. The large
placer gold deposits of Deadwood Gulch were discovered
later, in November 1875, and by 1876, thousands of gold-
seekers flocked to the new town of Deadwood, although it
was still within Indian land.
Estimated Value ........................................ $6,000 - 6,500
345
1879
.
NGC graded MS-67
. A fully white gem. Only 14,000
minted.
Pop 25; 16 finer, 10 in 67 Star, 2 in 67+Star, 4 in
68
.
Estimated Value ..............................................$2,500 - 2,600
346
1882
.
PCGS graded Proof 64
. An untoned Proof with the
delicate mirror fields showing their original sparkle. A few faint
hairlines away from Gem status. Only 1,000 struck.
Pop 73; 70
finer at PCGS.
(
PCGS # 4779
)
Estimated Value ................................................... $650 - 700
