Weds Challenge - Oldest DCAM/UCAM?

Blade · December 10, 2002 8:38PM

Hi folks.

I was browsing the NGC Registry sets last night and came across the oldest DCAM/UCAM Proof coin that I have seen. I thought it would be an interesting challenge to see who can identify the oldest DCAM/UCAM date. To automatically qualify, the coin must be in a PCGS or NGC holder designated DCAM/UCAM. If it was before these designations were given, from another service or raw, you will need to plead your case to the board and we'll take a consensus vote on whether it makes DCAM/UCAM.

Just to make it a little more interesting, feel free to post any cool pics you have of amazing eye appeal pre-1900 DCAM/UCAM proofs.

Oldcameoproofsguy. This should be a layup for you. Let's see if you have some really old cameo proofs.

OK - My entry. I found this image in the NGC Gold proof type registry. Credit to the Lisa's Proof Type Set 1834-1915 registry set by Bob L. Everyone should check out this 80% complete gold proof set... amazing.

This is an 1834 NGC PR63UCAM Half Eagle. You can see the marks that dropped it to 63, but I have never seen a DCAM/UCAM this old. It's amazing that the mint was polishing planchets and dies this long ago in a way that would create a UCAM. Enjoy and we'll see who can find the oldest DCAM/UCAM by the end of the day today. Pics required for all non-PCGS/NGC registered coins.

Good luck hunting!

coinguy1 · December 10, 2002 11:02PM

Fun thread, Tom!

My current entry would be an 1833 Capped Bust Quarter graded PR65 Cameo by NGC. I attempted to purchase the coin on a couple of different occasions, but I couldn't get together with the seller on price. There might be some cameo proof silver bust coins from the 1820's (or the late teens) floating around.

It could be interesting to revive this thread in a few years, when some of the coins currently residing in deposit boxes, will have had longer to be resubmitted for regrades, designation reviews, etc. I'm racking my brain, trying to remember if any of the proof Bust dollars I've seen were cameos. My guess would be yes. Of course, even though they are dated at the turn of the 19th century, they were struck quite a bit later than that.

boiler78 · December 11, 2002 1:04AM

I have an 1829 proof half dime that was certified before PCGS used the designation on anything other than Morgans. I think it might even be deep cameo.

coinguy1 · December 11, 2002 1:29AM

Boiler78, it doesn't look "deep cameo" but it's an obvious cameo and very pretty!

Blade · December 11, 2002 2:20AM

Boiler, that is a very sweet coin. Not many proofs from that year, I am sure.

I have seen some nice pre-1850's cameo proofs on Legend's website in the past so I am sure they are out there. I was impressed that the half eagle above would get a DCAM/UCAM designation. I didn't think the Mint had the quality back then to pull that off. You need some very deep mirrors to get DCAM.