1869/8 Silver Three-Cent Piece. Proof-66+ (PCGS). CAC. With incredible quality and eye appeal for the issue, this intriguing coin is enhanced by the former overdate status of its die pairing. Both sides have a highly reflective finish and are richly original with blended iridescent copper-rose and cobalt patina. Fully struck and expertly preserved. Six hundred Proofs of this denomination were struck in 1869 and were sold exclusively in sets. The majority of certified survivors are at the Proof-64 level, confirming the conditionally rare status of this upper end Gem.<p>Walter Breen listed this particular variety of the issue as an overdate in his 1988<em> Encyclopedia</em>, in which he credited the discovery to Don Taxay ca. 1962. More recent research by Kevin Flynn, however, suggests that the final digit in the date is repunched, hence the 1869/8 designation on the PCGS holder. A scarce variety in either case, and a particularly rare find for the specialist at the PCGS Proof-66+ level.
