1879 $5.00 NGC PR64+ CAM

Only 30 Proofs were struck. Given the fact that just eight auction records for Proofs have been noted since 2000, it likely that as few as ten or so are known to exist with only two or three of these being Gems. This superbly toned example has a reddish-orange obverse with some pale ice-blue splashes at the center; the reverse has really neat color with more even rich orange-gold shades framed by a concentric ring of pale blue. There is almost enough contrast to call this coin an Ultra Cameo and a Gem grade is removed solely by the presence of some light lines in the left obverse field; the reverse is superb. The last Gem Proof 1879 half eagle to sell was Goldberg 5/06: 4439 (graded PR65 CAM by PCGS) that sold for $60,375. Rare, important and absolutely beautiful!