Phenomenal quality and strong eye appeal for this significant early Proof Liberty Seated dime rarity. Iridescent undertones of blue, pink and apricot backlight warmer olive-gray and sandy-silver patina. The strike is razor sharp throughout with broad, squared off borders and an appreciable wire rim around both sides. A reflective finish greets the viewer at direct light angles, particularly on the reverse, and further confirms this coins Proof status.A highly regarded rarity among early Proof dimes, as are all Liberty Seated issues from the 1840s, the 1848 is represented by probably only eight to 10 distinct specimens in numismatic circles. This estimate is per David W. Akers in his cataloging for the Pittman specimen (Pittman I, October 1997, lot 601), who further commented that two of the survivors are permanently impounded in the Smithsonian Institution and ANS collections. The extant examples come down to us from an estimated mintage of 10 to 15 pieces, all of which were struck for inclusion in the small number of Proof sets that the Mint prepared that year. The paltry mintage is characteristic for the decade, the Mint still being a dozen years away from striking Proof coins for wider distribution to contemporary collectors. With so few survivors, it should come as no surprise to read that our offerings for this issue have been limited to a few isolated occasions over the years, several of which are for the same specimen. Indeed, the present offering is our third for this particular Proof 1848 dime. Coming onto the open market again only recently through the sale of the fabulous Eugene H. Gardner Collection, we suspect that once this coin finds a new home in another significant cabinet it will remain there for years, if not decades. The strongest bids are urged for what could be the final chance to acquire an example of this exceedingly rare issue for quite some time.,,PCGS# 4735. NGC ID: 23C4.,PCGS Population: 3; 0 finer.,From our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, May 1996, lot 1136; our (Bowers and Merenas) Boys Town and Charles S. Mamiye Collections sale, March 1998, lot 536; Heritages sale of the Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III, May 2015, lot 98266.
