1890 50C, CAM PR64CAM Certification #11356398, PCGS #86451

Icy devices exhibit exceptional contrast with glassy fields. Perhaps a Deep Cameo designation is denied only by the peach patina that clings to the margins. The surfaces are intricately struck and pristine, save for a single hair-thin mark on each side of star 11.

Ron Guth

The 1890 Half Dollar has the smallest mintage of Proofs (590 examples) since 1877 and the third lowest since 1865.  When placed next to the circulation strike mintage of 12,000, it is easy to see why this date is so popular -- it is simply rare.  There are two additional features of this date that make it even more desirable: 1) the average quality is slightly better than in previous years and 2) this is the first date since 1883 where Deep Cameo examples are obtainable and not horribly rare.  This is another of those dates where it is sometimes difficult to tell the circulation strikes from the Proofs, so we recommend certification.