What is the greatest PROOF gold coin that you've seen in person?

SethChandler · March 25, 2003 2:54AM

About fifteen years ago I saw an exhibit by John Jay Pittman that had three or four proof Classic Head five dollar gold coins. I think two of them were graded PR67. Those coins were absolute amazing! Also the PR64 1804 Capped Head ten dollar from the King of Siam set was nice.

As a type coin, nothing beats a gem Proof Twenty Lib. Stunning.

kieferscoins · March 25, 2003 2:56AM

The ANA's Bass gallery has a room full of gold coins, many the finest known proof coins. Totally awesome.

Cameron Kiefer

SethChandler · March 25, 2003 3:00AM

Is his Entire collection on display? Just curious.
What was your favorite coin in the collection that you saw.

nwcs · March 25, 2003 3:06AM

I saw some tables with proof gold at the Charlotte show. But I didn't spend much time looking.

rwhite · March 25, 2003 3:28AM

My favorite 3 examples that come to mind:

1844-o $10 PCGS PR64 (Only one struck)
1849 $20 raw in Smithsomian
1907 Ex High Relief $20 PCGS PR68

OaklandBill · March 25, 2003 3:52AM

Best gold proof I've seen up close was an 1864 $3 piece in approx. PF-63 at San Francisco show about 1976. Bob Karler of Southwestern Gold sold it to a guy for $3,000 while the guy's wife nagged him about it being so expensive. Worth about $9K now I guess. For my gold type set Bob sold me a Type 2 gold dollar (1854) and a $3 piece (1860) both high-end AU (before there were grading numbers) for $1,500 total (sold 'em both about 1980 for $3K) to Gary Young in Oakland.

Legend · March 25, 2003 4:02AM

One of the NGC PR68 1910 Roman Finish $20's. They are MONSTER coins.

Runner up: the $10 size (you read that right) Ultra High Relief that I saw at the ANS Museum in NYC. Wild coin.

ursabear · March 25, 2003 11:40AM

I realize that I'm not only in the ballpark with you guys and gals, I'm not even in the same league. But...

I've not gotten to handle too many early gold coins, in MS or Proof. I don't get to go to coin shows or in-person auctions. I've seen some STUNNING photos of CAMs and DCAMs on these boards, and at the major sites, as well.

As for coins that I've held in my hand, I've had a modern proof eagle $25 that was as close to perfect as I've seen, but my favorite is the Constitution proof commem in DCAM that I recently had the pleasure to handle. I relly like that coin!

<flame suit on

>

littlewicher · March 25, 2003 11:42AM

I don't think I've ever seen proof gold in person.

homerunhall · March 25, 2003 12:09PM

Judd 1776...the unique 1907 $20 Indian head Extremely High Relief pattern. It's the size of a High Relief St. Gaudens with the obverse design being the same as the $10 Indian and the reverse design being the same as the Extremely High Relief $20 St. Gaudens.

The coin was part of the famous Wilkenson gold pattern collection that was sold in the mid-1970s. It was previously in the King Farouk collection (sold by Sotheby's in Egypt in 1954.) The current owner supposedly turned down $4 million dollars for the coin in 1989. I think it's worth that or more today.

It is my favorite U.S. coin and it is breath-taking. I last saw the coin in the early 1980s.

David Hall

Merc · March 25, 2003 12:12PM

At the FUN show I saw a complete 1880 gold proof set being sold by Benchmark. It had both the 4 dollar stellas plus the 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 gold coins. I think they graded from PF66 to PF67 cam to dcam. I got a good look since I was the only one there at the display at the time. The dealer had nothing to do since these gold proofs and a 1792 pattern dime was all they had to sell. They were asking 2 million for the gold proof set. I was over there since it was near my 1940'S proofs educational display.

tradedollarnut · March 25, 2003 12:45PM

I've seen quite a few on display, but the two best I've held in my hand are the Ultra High Relief and an 1804 $10 in PF64 (Cameo).

DoubleDime · March 25, 2003 9:16PM

Two that come to mind are:
1849 Double Eagle
1822 Half Eagle

Legend · March 25, 2003 9:21PM

Oh yeah, I forgot about J-1776! I'd sell the 1913 5c in a heartbeat to own that coin!!!! Awesome choice David!

J-1776 is one coin that needs to be displayed. Its a crime to have that masterpiece hidden from the public!

parkave · March 25, 2003 10:00PM

One of my personal favorites was the 1875 $20 PR64DCAM PCGS Mintage 20 Pop 1. Would post a scan but we sold it in 1998 before we had the foresight to keep scans on disk for future use.

dragon · March 25, 2003 10:06PM

Didn't the J-1776 coin last sell publicly in the Bowers Garrett Sale? I thought it then sold for about $700K or so.

CarlWohlforth · March 25, 2003 10:51PM

Mike Bobb had quite a collection of early proof sets on display at last Winter's Long Beach show. There was a stella, three dollar Princess, Extra high relief saints and more. I think a few of the greatest proof gold coins I've seen in person were in that collection.

BillJones · March 25, 2003 11:53PM

I once brokered a deal on an 1897 $5 gold in NGC PR-67, Cameo. The coin was absolutely awesome. It was better than many of the modern Proof gold coins that come straight from the mint.

boiler78 · March 25, 2003 11:59PM

There is a great proof gold coin on the Albanese website. The 1838 proof ten liberty "covered ear" in PCGS pr 65.

Zerbe · March 26, 2003 12:13AM

Bill Jones, I bought a 1897 NGC PR67 $5 from Brett Leifer about 3 or 4 years ago. Could it be the same coin ?? I have since sold it. I actually had a 1897 PCGS PR67 $5 at the same time.

cosmicdebris · March 26, 2003 12:19AM

Anyone got a picture of Judd 1776? This coin sounds awesome.

As for the greatest I have seen in person:

northcoin · April 1, 2003 6:48AM

Have a "Presentation Piece" $20 Liberty dated 1850. It is attributed to Dr. Green and is referenced by Breen in his listing of gold proof coins though he states he never had the opportunity to see it in person. He mentions one or two other 1850 $20's that arguably qualify as proofs. Someday I look forward to seeing the 1849 Proof on display at the Smithsonian. I agree with those who have spoken highly of the $20 Libs in general as the most stunning gold proofs given their size.

MrEureka · April 1, 2003 6:50AM

Have a "Presentation Piece" $20 Liberty dated 1850.

Wow! How about posting an image?

MrEureka · April 1, 2003 6:52AM

Anyone got a picture of Judd 1776?

J1776

MrEureka · April 1, 2003 6:55AM

My choice...

1849 $20 and friends

J1779 is a very close second. It's an extra thick 1907 ultra high relief $20 with the diameter of a $10. Had it in my hand at the Smithsonian. They made me give it back. Bummer.

Julian · April 1, 2003 7:12AM

I was very fortunate to have owned J-1776. I had handled it initially, in 1973 when Mike Brownlee and myself were the agents for Dr. Wilkison in the sale of his pattern gold coin collection. It went to Paramount International Coin Corp. of Englewood, Ohio. They then traded the entire collection to A-Mark for Redfield dollars. In 1979, I purchased the coin from A-Mark, along with the 1872 Amazonian set in a transaction for 1.1 million dollars. I was unable to market the coins properly and the interest rates started soaring. In 1981, I sold the coin through Bowers & Ruddy, at the ANA auction in New Orleans. The coin was sold to a collector in Atlanta. (Note: when I tried to name the company that was agent, the program made me delete their name, because part of their name is a forbidden word!!) The coin was re-sold later in the 80's through one of the Apostrophe sales and new resides in the greatest collection of Saint Gaudens coinage. In my estimation, the coin is the most valuable coin in the world and would be worth $8 million or more under the proper circumstances. It remains today, my favorite coin and I use it as my logo.

As a note, I actually lost money on the 1979 purchase, both capital and expenses. There is no sure thing in numismatics!!

MrEureka · April 1, 2003 8:47AM

when I tried to name the company that was agent, the program made me delete their name, because part of their name is a forbidden word

Jack would have loved that!

tradedollarnut · April 1, 2003 9:22AM

There is no doubt in my mind that J-1776 is truly the most valuable coin in numismatics!

MrEureka · April 1, 2003 9:25AM

There is no doubt in my mind that J-1776 is truly the most valuable coin in numismatics!

In that case, I'll bet you a beer you own it within two years. No comment beyond that.

lordmarcovan · April 1, 2003 9:38AM

Nothing specific, but I've seen PCGS PR66-67 CAM $2.50 and $5.00 Libs at the Charlotte show and FUN that looked DCAM. Frosty monsters!

numispro · April 1, 2003 10:14AM

I have to agree with Andy - the Judd 1779 Rules!!

Hey, but these aren't bad either....

MrEureka · April 1, 2003 10:31AM

Cool tags! Did Jim and Steve lend those to you???

numispro · April 1, 2003 10:37AM

They were my bonus for my part in buying the Trompeter deal.

MrEureka · April 1, 2003 10:41AM

They were my bonus for my part in buying the Trompeter deal.

With bonuses like that, why would you ever leave???

Actually, forget that I asked you that.

RYK · April 1, 2003 11:41AM

The 1849 $20 at the Smithsonian for me. Hats off to SethChandler for starting another great thread!

segoja · April 1, 2003 11:49AM

Seth,

Agree with RYK. The 1849 is a pretty cool coin. It sits next to the ultra high relief 1907 St, which is almost as rare.

Turn on your PM!!!

James Sego
Ike Specialist

branchmintgold · April 1, 2003 12:35PM

The unique Parmelee/Woodin 1844-O Proof-64 Eagle that is now owned by Robert Leece. Great coin!!

Doug Winter
www.raregoldcoins.com

What is the greatest PROOF gold coin that you've seen in person?

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