Q. David Bowers
M.H. Bolender's 183rd Sale, February 23, 1952. Bolender's own silver dollar collection was offered here. Bolender's first love was the 1794-1803 dollar series, but he collected later issues as well. This is one of the relatively few auction sales of the era which contained an Uncirculated 1895-0, the rarity of which the cataloguer noted.
1878 8 tail feathers. Brilliant perfect Proof. Gem. $25.00.
1878 7 tail feathers. Unc., with some Proof surface. A gem. $3.00.
1878-CC Unc. Mint State. $3.25.
1878-S Unc, Proof surface. $2.90.
1879 Brilliant perfect Proof $9.50.
1879-CC Nearly Unc.,just slightly rubbed on highest parts. $11.00.
1879-O Ex. Fine, practically Unc. A few minute marks in the field. $16.25.
1879-S Nearly Unc., a lot of Proof surface on obverse. $1.85.
1879-S Unc. $2.75.
1880 Brilliant Proof $8.50.
1880-CC Unc. gem, with full mint lustre. $32.50.
1880-O Unc., with mint lustre. $12.00.
1880 S Unc. gem with Proof surface on both sides. $3.00.
1881 Brilliant Proof $9.50.
1881-CC Fine to VF $5.25.
1881-O Perfect brilliant Proof. Yes, we realize that Proofs were not supposed to have been struck at the branch mints. However, in those days the coiners took pride in their work, and on very rare occasions Proofs were made, as witness this coin, a gem in every respect. Excessively rare. From the Roe Collection at $115. $67.50.
1881-S Unc., brilliant gem. $2.60.
1882 Brilliant Proof, toning to light golden color. $8.50.
1882-CC Sharp Unc., some Proof surface. $6.00.
1882-O Unc. $13.25.
1882-5 Brilliant Unc., with Proof surface on both sides. $1.75.
1883 Brilliant Proof. Slightest marks in left obverse field. $10.00.
1883-CC Unc. Scarce. $9.00.
1883-O Unc. $3.75.
1883-S Unc., well-toned. $7.50.
1884 Phila. Mint. Proof $10.00.
1884-CC Unc., frosty mint surface. $5.25.
1884-O Unc. $5. $3.25.
1884-S Unc. Choice. $17.50.
1885 Brilliant perfect Proof $12.50.
1885-CC Unc. $21.00.
1885-O Unc. $4.50.
1885-S Unc. $4.50.
1886 Brilliant Proof $15.00.
1886-O If this is not a Proof, it is Uncirculated with full Proof surface on both sides. Slight nick on lower reverse edge. One of finest known of this rare mint-marked dollar. From the Lincoln Collection. $36.
1886-S Brilliant semi-proof. Unusual condition for any branch mint dollar, almost equal to a Proof $7.00.
1887 Brilliant perfect Proof $13.00.
1887-O Ex. Fine $6.25.
1887-S Unc. $4.25.
1888 Brilliant Proof $12.60.
1888-O Unc. gem, mint lustre. $14.75.
1888-S Brill. Unc. $4.00.
1889 Brilliant perfect Proof. Cern. $12.50.
1889-CC Ex. Fine, nearly Unc. $5.00.
1889-CC Unc., mint lustre. $2.90.
1889-O Brill. Unc. $8.50.
1889-S Ex. Fine, nearly Unc. $2.90.
l890 Brilliant perfect Proof $17.25.
1890-O Unc. $5.00.
1890-S Ex. Fine, toned blue, About Unc. $1.90.
1891 Brilliant perfect Proof $12.50.
1891 New Orleans mint. Ex. Fine $6.00.
1891-S Unc., mint lustre, gem. $4.00.
1891-CC Unc., frosty lustre. $6.00.
1892 Brilliant perfect Proof $13.50.
1892-CC Brilliant Unc. gem. $4.00.
1892-O Brilliant Proof. Only two or three known in this condition, Ex. rare. From the Roe Collection. at $67.50. $70.00.
1892-S Unc., choice gem. $36.00.
1893 Brilliant perfect Proof $16.50.
1893-CC Brilliant Unc. gem, with some Proof surface. $47.00.
1894 Brilliant perfect Proof $15.00.
1894-O Unc. $11.00.
1894-S Unc. $6.25.
1894-S Freak silver dollar. Half of the edge is plain entirely around, and half is reeded entirely around. Mint error. Brilliant Unc. Rare and interesting. $9.50.
1895 Brilliant perfect Proof $125.00.
1895-O Unc. Rare. $14.25.
1895-S Brilliant Proof. One of the extremely rare Proofs made at branch mints. It is far more rare than the Proof of the Philadelphia Mint. $90.00.
1896 Brilliant perfect Proof $21.00.
1896-O Proof. Slightly toned. Very rare branch mint
Proof, probably two or three known. $60.00.
1896-S Unc. $8.50.
1897-O Unc. $8.50.
1897-S Unc. $3.00.
1898 Brilliant perfect Proof $18.25.
The 1952 ANA Convention Sale, August 16-21, 1952, New Netherlands Coin Co. By this time the Proof 1895 was widely recognized as the key date in the series-if not the rarest, certainly the best known. The specimen here brought $150.00, or about 100 times its price of two or three decades earlier; The cataloguer, John J. Ford; Jt., knew a real Proof from a prooflike coin, and hiscommentary under the 1921 reflects this.
1878 Brilliant Gem Proof $23.00.
1878 Brilliant Proof. Beginning to tone, particularly upon reverse. $16.00.
1879 Brilliant Proof. Appears to have been cleaned. $8.00.
1880 Proof. Almost fully brilliant upon obverse: but heavily toned on reverse, $7.50.
1881 Brilliant Proof. Few microscopic defects. $6.75.
1882 Brilliant Proof. Beginning to tone somewhat. $8.50.
1883 Brilliant Proof $9.00.
1884 Brilliant Proof. Few imperceptible defects. $8.50.
1885 Brilliant Proof. Infinitesimal scratch in front of nose. $10.00.
1885-S and 1886-S Unc. Semi-proofs. Usual indications of bag handling. Purchased as genuine Proofs. (Total: 2 pieces). $5.00.
1886 Proof, almost fully brilliant. Beginning to tone, particularly on reverse. $13.00.
1887 Brilliant Proof, almost a Gem. $14.00.
1888 Brilliant Proof $14.00.
1889 Proof, almost fully brilliant. $12.00.
1890 Proof. Not in full brilliancy. $15.00.
1891 Brilliant Gem Proof $15.50.
1892 Brilliant Gem Proof $16.00.
1893 Proof. A superbly struck coin, lightly toned. $12.50.
1894 Brilliant Proof $16.00.
1895 Brilliant Gem Proof $150.00.
1896 Brilliant Gem Proof $21.00.
1897 Brilliant Gem iridescent Proof $20.00.
1898 Brilliant Gem Proof $16.00.
1899 Brilliant Gem Proof $15.00.
1900 Proof. Almost fully brilliance, but with a small tarnish spot on reverse. $12.50.
1901 Brilliant Proof $14.50.
1902 Brilliant Gem iridescent Proof $14.50.
1903 Brilliant Proof. Traces of tarnish. $24.00.
1904 Brilliant Proof. Somewhat toned upon reverse. $11.50.
1921 Brilliant Proof. Few imperceptible defects. This is a genuine Proof and not a first strike or semi-proof $40.00.