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

Silver Dollar. [650] This lower figure is apparently not a typographical error. Has been in almost hysterical demand; several small hoards exist. Most of those now making the rounds of the bourses have been poorly cleaned: Prized as the last ordinarily available proof Morgan dollar, cleaned or not. VAM 1, closed 9.

Silver proof sets. [650?] It is possible, also, that some sets were issued without the dollar. Short sets of this description seen to date, however, have apparently been assembled. It is because of vexing questions like this, and like the earlier one of whether sets were issued in 1882-3 lacking the trade dollar, that I have stressed the composition of original sets. You can put anything into a set if you are building it up from an empty plastic holder; but we can all learn a great deal more from one found in the mint wrappers or original presentation case, especially if the dated mint invoice accompanies it. Garrett's (with the dollar) brought $2,300.

Quarter Eagle. [170] *B-1. "Center dot" at ear; low date left. Generally available for a price, more often than not nicked and scratched and/or cleaned. - *B-4. Similar "center dot"; date slants up to right; base of 4 recut. Dr. Ruby, ex Wayte Raymond 2/47:699. Which is rarer? Records for the date (which varieties?), Ullmer $1,700, Garrett $1,600.

Half Eagle. [136] *B-1. Date slants slightly up to r.; spine down from toe of L, left base 1 r. of left edge, r. base of 4 left of center. Rev. Outer leaf in upper group short, thin; upper outer berry clawlike; hollow in wing below (I)N. Much less often seen than the quarter eagle, or than the 1903 coin; a sleeper. Garrett's slept on at $1,250. Most seen in recent years were marred by nicks and scratches.

Eagle. [108] High date slanting down, left base of 1 r. of center, r. base of 4 almost over r. edge. Same comment as to the half eagle, only more so. Very rare choice. Garrett's (nicked) brought $3,400; 75ANA: 1569, lintmarked, $3,500; Ullmer's, slightly impaired, $2,400. Not many other records -all too old for a price basis: Woifson:803, Golden II:2176, Scanlon :2571 (from a set broken up in S 10/70).

Double Eagle. [98] Date to r., slanting down; left base of 1 barely r. of left edge, r. base of 4 r. of center of dentils. On the other hand, many more of these seem to have survived, even though most are nicked and scratched. Record $7,500, Ullmer sale, trailed by $5000 in Garrett, $3800 in Breen II - not that much more than the $2700 one brought in 1964 ANA.

Gold proof sets. Not over 98 could have been made, and the true number is probably a little smaller. One was in the B. G. Johnson estate (Schulman 4/51:1393). Another was in the Johnson consignment (coincidentally), S 1/58: 353. A third was broken up in S 10/70. Others have been around from time to time mostly eventually dispersed. Garrett's totalled $11,250.

Complete proof sets. Same comment as to 1903. In addition to the SI and ANS institutional sets, there is a double set in the Alipore (Calcutta) Mint Museum; occasion of presentation unknown.

Commemoratives. Lewis & Clark Gold Dollar. Mintage unknown; exceedingly rare in proof. (1) SI, from Mint Cabinet, from Coiner Dec. 19, 1904 at face. There were originally two specimens, but the otherone may have been since traded off. (2) ANS. (3) Neil: 2376, possibly reappearing as Lahrman:538. (4) "Memorable" : 77 set. (5) A coin I saw at one of the local conventions about 1958, possibly Central States. This may have been same as either of last two. Probably under 10 survive. It would be incorrect to characterize the odd 28 of the original coinage of 25,028 as proofs; they were almost certainly assay pieces instead.

1905

Cent. [2152] No special peculiarities. Often a little paler than 1904.

Five Cents. [2152] Ditto. As in 1903. Minor proof sets. [2152] As in 1903.

Dime. [727] The peculiar marks within the 5 on proofs and on unc. examples of all mints are not evidence of overdate; they are characteristics of the date logotype made up for this year. Minute positional variants only, except for one die in which the 5 is actually double punched: "Gilhousen":518.

Quarter. [727] As in 1904.

Half Dollar. [727] As in 1904. Now popular because of a lower mintage than usual of business strikes, the lowest prior to the three famous and much hoarded final years. Too bad the popularity did not induce possessors to leave the coins uncleaned.

Silver proof sets. [727] Many of these used to be around; many have been broken up in recent years on behalf of collectors wanting the half dollar. Garrett's brought $1,600. Others seen lately are assembled.

Quarter Eagle. [144] *B-1. Low date slanting up to right; left base of lover center. Rev. Scattered die file marks in shield. Usually available for a price -badly nicked or scrubbed. As a result, the prices realized do not reflect a reasonable market value for even reasonably nice ones, let alone gems. Ullmer:398 brought $1,800, Garrett's $1,600.

Half Eagle. [108] *B-1. Top of 5 recut; date centered; left base of lover r. edge. Rev. Unfinished stripes. More often seen than the 1904 coin despite the mintage, but usually more or less impaired, e.g. Ullmer:475 at $1,500. Garrett: 554, not impaired but cloudy, went reasonably at $2,000. Compare Wolfson:584, Scanlon:2408, Gilhousen:572, 1976 EAC:1617.

Eagle. [86] Date too far left, closer to first than to last star; 1 much nearer to left end of truncation than 5 is to r. end; left base of 1 left of center. Rev. Missing feathers below second white stripe. Rare but unappreciated. Garrett:553 brought $3,700. Cf. also 1973 GENA:540 and Scanlon: 2574, latter ex S 10/70 ex LM 10/69 (nicked, spotted).

Double Eagle. [92] Centered date, left base of 1 left of center of dentil. Another of the low business mintage dates, therefore subject to recent date collector pressure. Record $6,750 in Garrett, trailed by $5000 for Ullmer's rubbed one. Not so often seen nowadays as some of the other dates of the period.