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1921 Satin Proof Peace Dollars, still less than 12 known? Any PCGS yet?

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  • I saw this online, somewhere.
    Is this a proof coin ?

    Chris


  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @SilverEagle1974 said:
    I saw this online, somewhere.
    Is this a proof coin ?

    Chris


    It sure doesn't look like this Proof which was posted earlier:

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Coin Photographer.

  • @MFeld said:

    It sure doesn't look like this Proof which was posted earlier:

    I’d love to learn from you, on which details of the coin stand out to you as making these coins different.

    To me the main difference seems to be in the luster, or the “look” of the coins. But I think luster can be hard to judge from photos, and could be hidden by toning.

    The second difference that I notice is the softness of the strike on the non-proof, particularly in the date on the obverse and the text near the top on the reverse. I’m interpreting that weakness to be due to the lower pressure used for business strikes. Look how much crisper “States” is on the proof!

    Am I on the right track with these observations? What else am I missing?

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    In particular, I was focusing on the strike of the numerals in the date on each coin. I didn't look past that, besides the differences in quality and eye-appeal which (based on the grades) are understandably, quite different.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • Mr Lindy Mr Lindy Posts: 1,121 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's NGC data on the 1921 Satin Peace.

    I had no clue, but now I do, these are not "Half Million Dollars." My Bad

  • P0CKETCHANGEP0CKETCHANGE Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld but your implication seemed to be that it wasn’t a proof; otherwise, why make the comparison?

    Nothing is as expensive as free money.

  • kruegerkrueger Posts: 877 ✭✭✭

    I will never forget passing on one at the 1975 ANA show in Los Angeles. I kept going back and looking at it.
    I was young and an in experienced collector. alot of money back then when I was only making $10,500 per year.
    Which was a pretty good salary back then. My brand new 1972 skylark Buick car had cost me $ 4700.
    Lesson learned. I think I only had several hundred dollars on me. Could have paid by check.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @P0CKETCHANGE said:
    @MFeld but your implication seemed to be that it wasn’t a proof; otherwise, why make the comparison?

    I don't claim to know whether the coin is a Proof. I made the comparison because when I glanced at the pictures, the first thought that occurred to me was that it wasn't a match in terms of strike or quality to the PR65 that had been posted previously.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The coins present excellent matches in hand, but here are images of the 65 and 62 side by side taken under nearly identical conditions. The 65 is presumably the later die state due to the stronger brilliance of the dies and lack of what appears to be grease near the date area.








    Coin Photographer.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @FlyingAl said:
    The coins present excellent matches in hand, but here are images of the 65 and 62 side by side taken under nearly identical conditions. The 65 is presumably the later die state due to the stronger brilliance of the dies and lack of what appears to be grease near the date area.








    Thanks for that, Alex.

    Viewing those pictures leads me to believe that what first appeared to be differences in strike, were/are largely the result of the patina and more subdued luster on the PR62.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • P0CKETCHANGEP0CKETCHANGE Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    Viewing those pictures leads me to believe that what first appeared to be differences in strike, were/are largely the result of the patina and more subdued luster on the PR62.

    I’m surprised that’s your takeaway, because Alex’s photos quite clearly show weakness in strike around the peripheries of the 62, which he attributes to potential grease in the dies. It’s not an illusion of the patina or luster.

    Perhaps that effect is present when comparing the hair depth, but since you clearly stated previously, “I was focusing on the strike of the numerals in the date on each coin. I didn't look past that”, that’s not where you were looking.

    Nothing is as expensive as free money.

  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Videos of both coins to aid in the discussion as well. These show the two coins match nearly perfectly, except for the date weakness in the 62 which I believe to be grease in the dies.
    https://www.mycollect.com/posts/156944
    https://www.mycollect.com/posts/156943

    Coin Photographer.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @P0CKETCHANGE said:

    @MFeld said:
    Viewing those pictures leads me to believe that what first appeared to be differences in strike, were/are largely the result of the patina and more subdued luster on the PR62.

    I’m surprised that’s your takeaway, because Alex’s photos quite clearly show weakness in strike around the peripheries of the 62, which he attributes to potential grease in the dies. It’s not an illusion of the patina or luster.

    Perhaps that effect is present when comparing the hair depth, but since you clearly stated previously, “I was focusing on the strike of the numerals in the date on each coin. I didn't look past that”, that’s not where you were looking.

    Initially, I was focusing on the dates on the two coins. Since I’d glanced at other areas, I shouldn’t have written “I didn’t look past that”. Sorry for any confusion I caused.
    After Alex posted multiple images, I started looking at other areas on each side and posted again.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @SilverEagle1974 said:
    I saw this online, somewhere.
    Is this a proof coin ?

    Chris


    Note the collar clash marks on the rim above the IB of LIBERTY. I do not see that on the 65 or on the 64 shown on the PCGS website.

    The weak area near the date has corresponding weakness on the upper reverse. I do not think that grease is involved here. This is more likely the result of the dies not being properly set parallel to each other or, a lot less likely, a tapered thin planchet.

    It is possible that the collar clashing caused one of the two dies to shift a bit and no longer be parallel to its opposing die. In my research on the cents of 1922 I can show how on one die pair the obverse die hit the collar to the lower right of the date, causing the die itself to move towards the upper left. and then later hitting the collar along the upper left causing the die to shift towards the lower right.

    On a more general note, it has long been noted that between 1916 and 1936 the Philadelphia Mint seemed to have forgotten how to make Proofs, and again between 1942 and 1950. Is it possible that this loss of technical skill was already in place between 1916 and the brief rebirth of Proofs in 1921-22? (Don't forget the 1921 $20's.)

    TD

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CaptHenway

    All of the Proofs show the clash to some degree, it just depends on the thickness of the rim in that area and the angle the images were taken at. The clash can also be seen below the Y in LIBERTY.

    Coin Photographer.

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @FlyingAl said:
    @CaptHenway

    All of the Proofs show the clash to some degree, it just depends on the thickness of the rim in that area and the angle the images were taken at. The clash can also be seen below the Y in LIBERTY.

    Thank you.

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,542 ✭✭✭✭✭

    An older thread on these that might be of interest.
    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/128785/proof-peace-dollars
    We never did get an update from @Jupiter88 about his coins.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • shortnockshortnock Posts: 423 ✭✭✭

    Facelifter's '22 Proof takes ones breath away!!!

  • safari_dudesafari_dude Posts: 53 ✭✭✭

    I need to get some plastic surgery on my face after seeing floridafacelifter’s coin…since it’s frozen in awe……😉

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,441 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 24, 2025 3:48PM

  • goldengolden Posts: 9,777 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Floridafacelifter said:
    This thread needs more coins- here’s my 1922 just for fun

    Holy crap!

  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,104 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rare Coin Wholesalers has this PCGS/CAC PR64 (satin) available now. Advertised at $398,750 on Collector's Corner.
    rarecoinwholesalers.com/1921-peace-matte-finish-pr64

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @VanHalen said:
    Rare Coin Wholesalers has this PCGS/CAC PR64 (satin) available now. Advertised at $398,750 on Collector's Corner.
    rarecoinwholesalers.com/1921-peace-matte-finish-pr64

    Fascinating!

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • @CaptHenway said:

    @SilverEagle1974 said:
    I saw this online, somewhere.
    Is this a proof coin ?

    Chris


    Note the collar clash marks on the rim above the IB of LIBERTY. I do not see that on the 65 or on the 64 shown on the PCGS website.

    The weak area near the date has corresponding weakness on the upper reverse. I do not think that grease is involved here. This is more likely the result of the dies not being properly set parallel to each other or, a lot less likely, a tapered thin planchet.

    It is possible that the collar clashing caused one of the two dies to shift a bit and no longer be parallel to its opposing die. In my research on the cents of 1922 I can show how on one die pair the obverse die hit the collar to the lower right of the date, causing the die itself to move towards the upper left. and then later hitting the collar along the upper left causing the die to shift towards the lower right.

    On a more general note, it has long been noted that between 1916 and 1936 the Philadelphia Mint seemed to have forgotten how to make Proofs, and again between 1942 and 1950. Is it possible that this loss of technical skill was already in place between 1916 and the brief rebirth of Proofs in 1921-22? (Don't forget the 1921 $20's.)

    TD

    Are the scratches between the S and OF a match?

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @VanH> @4Redisin said:

    @CaptHenway said:

    @SilverEagle1974 said:
    I saw this online, somewhere.
    Is this a proof coin ?

    Chris


    Note the collar clash marks on the rim above the IB of LIBERTY. I do not see that on the 65 or on the 64 shown on the PCGS website.

    The weak area near the date has corresponding weakness on the upper reverse. I do not think that grease is involved here. This is more likely the result of the dies not being properly set parallel to each other or, a lot less likely, a tapered thin planchet.

    It is possible that the collar clashing caused one of the two dies to shift a bit and no longer be parallel to its opposing die. In my research on the cents of 1922 I can show how on one die pair the obverse die hit the collar to the lower right of the date, causing the die itself to move towards the upper left. and then later hitting the collar along the upper left causing the die to shift towards the lower right.

    On a more general note, it has long been noted that between 1916 and 1936 the Philadelphia Mint seemed to have forgotten how to make Proofs, and again between 1942 and 1950. Is it possible that this loss of technical skill was already in place between 1916 and the brief rebirth of Proofs in 1921-22? (Don't forget the 1921 $20's.)

    TD

    Are the scratches between the S and OF a match?

    The die polish lines (not scratches) between the S and the O can be seen on both the Proof-62 and the Proof-65 shown above. Good catch.

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.

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