182
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Session Two - Monday, January 26, 2015 10:00 am
R
ARE
C
HOICE
P
ROOF
1844 S
EATED
D
IME
Enlargement
1181
1844
.
PCGS graded Proof 64.
CAC APPROVED.
Although proof coinage mintage figures for many early U.S.
issues before 1858 are either inaccurate or nonexistent,
both Walter Breen and current authorities have estimated
that perhaps eight examples of the proof 1844 Seated Lib-
erty dime were produced. This coin issue is well-known to
numismatists as the "Little Orphan Annie" dime, a case of
early hype that originated in the 1940s, attributed to the
Kansas City coin dealer, Frank C. Ross.
The digits of the date are entered high in the die and slope
upward from left to right, so that the last 4 is nearer to the
base under Liberty than the 1. The pendant on Liberty's
gown is a bit to the left of the upright of 4 in the date, and
the shield is upright. The bottom left serif of the 1 in the
date is over the right side of a dentil. Both sides display
bright underlying luster, with champagne-pink, pastel-gold,
sky-blue, and silver surfaces with some localized spotty rus-
set color near the rims. There are a couple of thin hairlines
in the obverse fields, visible only with magnification at indi-
rect light angles. The strike is expectedly sharp, with sharp
wire edges on each side. Liberty's head details, gown clasp,
sandals, and the star centrils on the obverse are all well
brought up, and no weakness is visible on the reverse
either. Slight cameo contrast is also seen on each side,
although unmentioned on the PCGS holder. This fully origi-
nal and exceedingly rare coin, a true legendary rarity,
should appeal both to collectors of early proof type coins,
as well as to the many collectors of Seated Liberty collec-
tors.
Pop 3; 2 finer in 65.
(
PCGS # 4731
)
Estimated Value .................................... $40,000 - 50,000
1182
1849-O
.
PCGS graded AU-50.
CAC APPROVED.
Although
obtainable in lower grades, the 1849-O is considered a scarce
Seated dime above the XF level. Here we offer a modestly circu-
lated AU-50 with original toning on both sides. The Large O
variety is always found somewhat softly struck, as seen here.
Pop 11; 28 finer at PCGS.
(
PCGS # 4592
)
Estimated Value ................................................... $475 - 500
G
EM
C
AMEO
P
ROOF
1852 S
EATED
D
IME
Enlargement
1183
1852
.
PCGS graded Proof 65 Cameo.
CAC
APPROVED.
This is an extremely rare, early proof Seated
dime with an unknown, although extremely limited original
mintage. The exact number of coins produced is not known
although Walter Breen (1988) estimates that there may be
as many as eight specimens in numismatic hands. At least
one of those coins, the ANS specimen, is impounded in that
museum. Our research indicates that six different examples
have appeared at auction over the past 15 years, thus Mr.
Breen was quite close in his estimate. This coin possess
needle-sharp striking detail in all areas from the rims to the
centers. The rims are broad and square, the denticles are
crisply delineated and there is a pronounced knife-like outer
rim on both sides. Another feature that defines this exam-
ple's proof status is the glittering, reflective finish that
exists in the fields. Both sides are attractively toned with a
thin coating of delicate champagne-apricot iridescence. As
an identifier, a couple of small diagonal toning streaks are
seen at star 10, however, these do not detract. This speci-
men will certainly awake the interest of specialized collec-
tors. It is the finer of only two Proof Cameo coins graded by
both services, combined.
Pop 1; none finer at PCGS.
(
PCGS # 84739
)
Estimated Value .................................... $40,000 - 45,000
