1869/8 Silver Three-Cent Piece. Breen-2960. Proof-65 (PCGS). Featuring incredible quality and eye appeal for the issue, this intriguing coin is from a die pairing that was formerly considered an overdate. Both sides are richly original in preservation with blended reddish-gold and powder blue iridescence on a base of steely-olive color. A fully struck, universally reflective specimen that will please even the most discerning bidder. 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 called this particular variety an overdate in his 1988 <em>Encyclopedia</em>, where he credited its 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-65 level.
