2013 Casascius "Gold Rim" 1 Bitcoin. Loaded. Firstbits 1Ag6Y2Pw. Series 3. Silver. Proof-69 Deep Cameo (PCGS). Loaded with 1 BTC. Produced in a full ounce of .999 fine silver, this "Gold Rim" Series 3 Casascius 1 BTC is an astounding treasure. It ranks among the very finest graded by PCGS and none are ranked higher. The surfaces are brilliant and virtually flawless, boasting intense luster and sharp reflectivity on both sides. Just 700 "Gold Rim" examples are known for the 2013 Series 3, compared to 1,300 for the "regular" silver Series 3 and 6,653 of the brass coins recorded for Series 2 the same year. These "Gold Rim" silver Casascius 1 BTC are rarely offered publicly, making this a monumental opportunity for the advance collector. A similar "Gold B" 1 BTC from the Lealana series sold for $108,000 in our April 2022 sale and we expect that collectors of the Casascius series will be even more enthusiastic.This issue represent the culmination of this denomination that began with the brass Series 1 in 2011. By 2013, the production quality and security features of these coins had been perfected, providing an ideal self-storage solution with a sophisticated and attractive finish. Unfortunately, production of the Casascius series was ended in 2013 and the opportunity for a Series 4 was never realized. Nearly a decade later, the silver Series 3 remains heavily prized by both crypto enthusiasts and traditional numismatic specialists.The obverse features the Bitcoin currency symbol at the center with the date, denomination, composition and motto surrounding. The devices are boldly rendered with a rich satin luster, starkly contrasting the mirrored reflectivity in the fields. An entrancing binary code decorates the border on the reverse, set against mirrored fields. A golden holographic sticker sits at the center with the Firstbits address visible through a rectangular window. The edge of the hologram also features a "laser rimming" technique which was intended as an additional security feature.Specialist Elias Ahonen reveals that this variety is "derived from the Series 3 1 BTC 2013 coins of which 2000 were originally made. 700 of them were converted to this "Gold Rim" version by Casascius...this [gold] plating is of a higher quality than that of the Series 2 10 BTC 2012 "Gold B coins."Public Address: 1Ag6Y2PwWMdcJm5FHJbukRkaJRx8b9HYbP. PCGS# 902817. PCGS Population: 7; none finer. *Loaded cryptocurrency coins will be reserved at their intrinsic cryptocurrency value on the day of the sale. Lots realizing $25,000 or more will be delivered via armored carrier ONLY. An additional shipping charge of five hundred dollars [$500] will be applied to domestic armored carrier deliveries, with additional fees for remote and international deliveries. Winning bidders may also pay their invoice via BitPay for a 2% fee after authorization by Stack’s Bowers Galleries prior to the sale. Additional terms and conditions apply.
