This exquisite premium Gem offers exceptional technical quality and outstanding eye appeal. Fully struck with a soft satin texture, the devices appear to float above reflective fields, displaying contrast that easily upholds the Cameo designation from PCGS. Both sides are mostly brilliant with just some subtle reddish-gold highlights in isolated peripheral areas -- very attractive. A Condition Census example of this elusive early Proof half dime.The 1856 Proof half dime was produced in the era before Mint employees kept records on the number of Proof coins struck each year, and also prior to the efforts by Director James Ross Snowden to market such coins to contemporary collectors on a wide scale. As such, the number of Proof 1856 half dimes produced is not known, although the mintage was certainly small given the limited distribution of these coins. Survival estimates also suggest a small mintage, the online version of the PCGS Population Report accounts for just 40 to 50 coins extant in all grades. This lovely Gem is tied with one other Proof-66 Cameo as the finest Proof 1856 half dime known to that grading service. It is a beautiful and highly significant coin that represents an important opportunity for bidders.