1859 Indian Cent. Proof-65 (NGC).
A well mirrored specimen with blushes of reddish-rose iridescence to a base of warm orange-apricot color. The debut of the Indian cent in 1859 came at a time when the United States was experiencing its first boom in coin collecting. In 1858, the Mint under Director Colonel James Ross Snowden began to produce Proof coins in greater numbers than in previous years and to advertise such pieces for sale. This practice continued through 1859, in which year the Mint recorded the number of Proof gold and silver struck for the first time in its history. (Proof minor coin mintages, however, were not recorded until 1878.) Despite the increased interest in these coins among contemporary Americans, the Mint's production of Proofs in both 1858 and 1859 proved overly optimistic. In fact, Rick Snow (2014) opines that less than half the estimated mintage of 800 Proofs for the 1859 Indian cent was actually distributed to collectors, the remaining pieces probably released into circulation in later years. As a solidly graded Gem, the offered coin represents a significant find in today's competitive numismatic market.
PCGS# 2247. NGC ID: 2299.

Estimate: $2500