1885 Indian Cent. Snow-PR3. Repunched Date. Proof-67 RD (PCGS). OGH.One of the finest certified examples of the issue available to todays discerning collectors, this gorgeous Proof 1885 cent exhibits vivid rose-red color on silky smooth surfaces. It is fully struck with a lively satin to semi-reflective finish. We anticipate strong competition for this coin when it appears at auction. The Mint produced 3,790 Proof cents in 1885, an unusually large number given that only 930 of these coins were needed for the years silver Proof sets. Much of the mintage was undoubtedly sold to dealers for face value at the end of the year. One of the principal dealers active in this speculation was Philadelphia-based David U. Proskey, who amassed hundreds of each Proof Indian cent issue from 1879 to 1909. Since Proskeys Proof Indian cents were stored in their original mint tissues for several decades, they are fairly easy to spot by their deep antique copper toning and iridescent multicolored highlights. With its full Red color, the present example is clearly not an ex Proskey coin; more likely it is an exceptionally well preserved survivor from the years silver Proof set sales. Whatever its provenance, this is a conditionally rare and highly desirable specimen that is sure to sell for a strong premium.One of the scarcer die pairings of the issue, Snow-PR3 is also desirable as a Repunched Date that is most readily attributable by looking within the lower loop of the first digit 8 in the date. Additional, more minor repunching is evident at the base of the digit 5.From the ESM Collection.
