Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins 1722-1989

Three Dollars. [25 originals] Originals survive to the extent of possibly a dozen pieces or so, together with at least two different issues of restrikes. I know that these other varieties (representing two different date sides) are restrikes because only one pair of dies was made for the year. Originals are the coins from the pair of dies (B-1) used on uncirculated and circulated pieces (some 1140 coined, January 27,1865); obverse has dentils in lower left quadrant weaker and more distant than usual, from die lapping; striae pointing northeast; minute rust pit on neck just left of the protruding curl next below ear. Rev.: Date low and level, extreme r. base of A about in line with tip of 5, minute recutting within 865 (which fades), faint die file marks sloping southeast to top of large 3 (they also fade). Compare LM 10/66:318 (minute nicks). Others doubtless exist.

*The first coin here called a restrike may have been struck as early as the latter part of 1865 as one is in the ANS, ex Brock, Morgan proof sets: a clandestine or unreported late issue? But the obverse die is identical to that used on proofs of 1867 and 1868 in ANS, which leaves the question still open. Examples are known in copper as well as gold: Adams-Woodin 481, Judd 442. Date centered, placed farther to right than usual, very top of 1 below left serif of L, point of 5 beyond A and below left foot of R, the 5 beginning under center of A. Compare Wolfson: 290 (poorly handled); Grant Pierce: 1252 to Phila. Estate; Ullmer: 415 (rev. flan chip about 5:00) at $9,000.

* About the other variety, with obverse die of 1872 and date slanting up sharply to right, there is no doubt whatever. This was for long inexplicably listed as a pattern (Adams-Woodin: 480) and the gold piece is still so listed in Judd: 440; examples are also known in silver, copper (J-441 , 442). See Restrikes and Fantasy Pieces. below.

Half Eagle. [25] *B-1. No die chip between 65. Probably under ten survive. (1) Mint, SI. (2) Brock, Morgan, ANS. (3) Geiss: 1733, Amon Carter Sr. and Jr. (4) Newcomer, J. F. Bell, "Memorable":367, possibly later Ullmer:450, $17,000. (5) Flanagan: 1143, Randall. Possibly same as last or as one of next two. (6) Melish:2123. (7) 1976 ANA:2989, $10,000. (8) Cicero: 180, EF ex-Proof.

- * Transitional. [2]Regular obv., date slanting down to r., no die chip between 65, left base of 1 about over space, probably same as regular proof die. Rev. of 1866 with motto. Judd 445, AW 475. (1) Mint, SI. (2) Mason & Co. 6/1870:422 in set, unknown intermediaries, Woodin, Newcomer, Boyd, Farouk:317. Copper specimens exist and may come gilt; gold ones weigh 129 grains or 8.36 grams.

Eagle. [25] *B-1. Low date, centered between adjacent stars. Left base of lover center. No doublings on r. wing or letters. Possibly as many as eight survive. (1) Mint, SI. (2) Brock, Morgan, ANS. (3) Newcomer, Boyd, WGC :670, J.F. Bell, "Memorable" :564, possibly reappearing as Wolfson: 689. (4) Kern:510; (5) Ten Eyck:294, Clapp, Eliasberg. At least two others in impaired proof state.

- *Transitional. [2] Identical obv. Rev. Motto die of 1866. Judd 449, AW 471. (1) Mint, 51. (2) Mason & Co. 6/1870:422 in set, unknown intermediaries, Woodin, Newcomer, Boyd, Farouk: 311. Copper specimens exist and may come gilt; gold ones weigh 258 grains or 16.72 grams.

Double Eagle. [25] Low date, left base of 1 about over r. edge. Probably 6 or 7 survivors. (1) Mint, 51. (2) Brock, Morgan, AN5. (3) Newcomer, Boyd, WGC :868, J. F. Bell, "Memorable" :690, probably reappearing as Ullmer:522, $35,000. (4) Lester Merkin, E.I.U. (5) Kern:601; (6) Ten Eyck:318, Clapp, Eliasberg.

-*Transitional. [2] Identical obv. Rev. motto die of 1866. Judd 452, AW 468. (1) Mint, 51. (2) Mason & Co. 6/1870:422 set, unknown intermediaries, Woodin, Newcomer, Boyd, Farouk:290, Dr. John Wilkison, Paramount, A-Mark. Copper specimens exist, at least one gilt; obv. die cracked, rim into bust left of 1. Gold ones weigh 516 grains or 33.44 grams.

Gold proof sets. [25] Delivered March 8. One was in the J. B. Wilson sale in 1908. Parmelee's was broken up; my priced and named copy of the catalogue lacks buyer's names for these last years, but I conjecture that these gold proofs mostly went to Woodin, Newcomer, Boyd, and are individuallymentioned above. It is unlikely that as many as two survive aside from the SI and AN5 complete sets, below.

Complete proof sets. [25] Presumably distributed on March 10. That in the Smithsonian came from the Coiner on April 7; but its face value was given as $43.46, specie price $43.54, therefore it contained no nickel 3¢ piece. Why this was lacking is unknown; but the coin was later supplied without record being kept of date of acquisition. Date of acquisition of another set by R. C. W. Brock is unknown but very likely he obtained the gold later than the silver; this set went to J. P. Morgan, thence to ANS.