As the sole finest example of the issue known to PCGS, we cannot overstate the significance of this gorgeous Gem for advanced 20th century gold collectors. The surfaces are beautifully toned in a patchwork of pale rose and deep reddish-orange. Both sides are also highly lustrous with a soft satin texture that is fully appreciable in the absence of grade-limiting blemishes. Sharply struck with amazing eye appeal, this coin is worthy of the strongest bid.The preferred approach to collecting gold coins in the early part of the last century was to acquire a Proof as representative example for a particular year. In 1912, the Sandblast Proof gold coins produced that year were enough to satisfy the needs of the numismatic community, leaving to 790,000 coins struck for circulation to fend for themselves in everyday commerce. It was not until the 1950s that interest began to grow for Mint State specimens, but by then the great Treasury melts had occurred and what coins were left were abraded from the extended periods of time spent in bags. Indian half eagles with their unique design elements were particularly prone to surface issues, making them especially arduous to find Gem. The 1912 $5 coins were especially impacted and while low-end Uncirculated examples may be found with ease, above MS-64, the issue is an important condition rarity. Once the issue was underappreciated for its rarity at this level of preservation, but now the coins are considered among the scarcest of the entire series. For connoisseurs seeking to assemble a Gem Mint State assemblage of gold coins from this period, this is indeed a rare opportunity.,,PCGS# 8523. NGC ID: 28DS.,PCGS Population: 1; 0 finer.,