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

Double Eagle. [67] Perfect date only, no rumor of the 1909/8. All seen so far are of "Roman Gold" finish, as above. Very rare, but there are more auction records than for the eagle (the same coins playing Musical Chairs?). Wolfson: 1002; Bell I, "H. R. Lee": 1755, Baldenhofer: 1618; "Memorable": 735; Tanenbaum:360; Jay-Dines-Delp:823; Mocatta Metals(source?), etc. I have the impression that fewer 1908-15 double eagles survive of anyone date than of most dates 1893-1907. They certainly do not show up so often.

Gold proof sets. The actual number is unknown. It could not be larger than 67 and is probably smaller. Most sets were long since broken up, of course. Cf. lot 1398 of the B. G. Johnson material, Schulman 4/1951, and QS 11/76: 1276-79; Ten Eyck:349, called "glossy proofs."

Complete proof sets. As in 1908.

1910

Cent. [2405] Two varieties. ANS's has very grainy matte surfaces; others have been seen with the same finish, still others with the satin finish seen on many 1909's. Which is rarer?

Five Cents. [2405] Brilliant, as formerly. Two or more minute positional varieties.

Minor proof sets. [2405] Formerly offered every once in a while; now mostly broken up.

Dime. [551] No notable peculiarities. The low proof mintage on this and the next five dates has stimulated marked speculator activity; several hoards exist.

Quarter. [551] Ditto. Resulting auction records up to $450.

Half Dollar. [551] Double ditto. As the business strike mintage is also lower than usual, speculator activity on unc. and proof coins has been particularly intense on this date. Private sale records up to $800 or so. Most specimens offered of late have been poorly cleaned, as usual; speculators seem to share the delusion that toned coins won't sell.
Silver proof sets. [551] Mostly broken up on behalf of hoarders. A minority have been, or are being, reassembled; mostly cleaned coins, these.

Quarter Eagle. [682] Almost all of these have the same "Roman Gold" finish as in 1909. Much scarcer than 1908, despite the mintage; not nearly as often seen as that figure would suggest.

Lighter matte finish, nearest to some rare $10's, $20's of 1908: Flirt:1440.

Dark matte finish of 1911: reported, but I have not seen the coin.

Half Eagle. [250] "Roman Gold" finish as in 1909. Rumored to exist also with dark matte finish of 1911; unverified.

Eagle. [204] Mostly "Roman Gold" finish as in 1909.

-Two seen with satin finish, both in Pine Tree auctions: Breen I: 276 (at $1,050) and 1974 GENA: 2100.

Double Eagle. [167] Identical comments. Far more rarely offered at auction than one would expect with this mintage; cf. Baldenhofer: 1620; Tanenbaum: 362; WCC:916; "Memorable":736; Bell I, "H.R. Lee":1756.

Gold proof sets. Not more than 167, probably fewer were made. One such set was in the B. G. Johnson material: lot 1399 of the 1951 Schulman sale.

Complete proof sets. As in 1908.

1911

Cent. [1733] Most often seen with matte finish, similar to that of 1912-13. Less often seen with satin finish as in 1909's, some 1910's. ANS has a real anomaly: obverse satin finish, reverse matte (quite grainy). I do not know what to make of this one: were different workmen preparing proof cents simultaneously by two different methods?

Five Cents. [1733] Brilliant, as formerly. At least two minute positional varieties.

Minor proof sets. [1733] As in 1910.

Dime. [543] Subject to much speculative hoarding.

Quarter. [543] Ditto, only worse. Usually poorly cleaned.