Eight-Piece 1864 Proof Set of Minor and Silver Coinage. (PCGS). OGH. The coins are individually graded and encapsulated by PCGS, the inserts consecutively numbered 9116228 through 9116235. Included are:1864 Indian Cent. Copper-Nickel. Proof-64 (PCGS). OGH. CAC. Golden-tan overall with speckled brown hues throughout. Lightly reflective in the fields and well struck. 1864 Two-Cent Piece. Proof-63 BN (PCGS). OGH. CAC. Deeply toned in steely brown and violet hues that glow with sapphire iridescence under a light source. Sharp and satiny in texture. 1864 Silver Three-Cent Piece. Proof-65 (PCGS) OGH. Subtle reflectivity in the fields contrast the more satiny texture of the design elements. Painted in a cosmic blend of electric blue, violet, and tangerine. 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Proof-64 (PCGS). OGH. Intense mint frosting on the obverse creates a strong contrast with the watery fields. Sapphire and tangerine iridescence circles the obverse border, while the reverse is deeply toned in tangerine and indigo. 1864 Liberty Seated Dime. Proof-64 (PCGS).OGH. The obverse is dominated by peach and grey hues, with hints of powder blue around the devices. The reverse is largely brilliant with strong cameo contrast, accented by gold and turquoise hues at the borders. 1864 Liberty Seated Quarter. Proof-64 (PCGS). OGH. Watery and reflective fields nicely contrast the frosted devices, most dramatically so on the reverse. Brilliant at the centers with bronze and turquoise toning in the peripheries. 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Proof-63 (PCGS). OGH. CAC. Deep slate-grey patina reveals gold and navy blue iridescence under a light source. Incredibly sharp and densely frosted across the devices. 1864 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar. Proof-63 (PCGS). CAC. A brilliant and flashy example of this Civil War issue with overall snowy-white surfaces. Moderate cameo contrast is apparent between the reflective fields and richly frosted devices. Sharp and pleasantly smooth for the assigned grade, dusted in a hint of patina on each side. Unlike today where you can only buy Proof examples of regular coinage in sets (albeit in a wide array of options), not only did the Philadelphia Mint sell Proof sets to collectors, but they also made individual coins available to anyone who wished to obtain them. The minor coinage was especially popular for completing collections using individual coins rather than buying a complete set for only a couple of the coins contained therein. For those who ordered the sets, the Mint was more than happy to oblige, and in particular sets of the silver and minor coinage were particularly popular. A total of 470 silver-minor proof sets were produced in 1864, though only the first 370 struck in February and March contained the Copper-Nickel cent as we see here. The remaining 100 sets, all produced in July, included the new bronze cent authorized in by Congress in April of that year. (Total: 8 coins)
