1865 Silver Three-Cent Piece. Proof-66 Cameo (PCGS).
A delightful specimen with reflective fields supporting fully impressed, satin-textured design elements. Both sides are dusted with delicate iridescent gold toning, the upper obverse border further enhanced by a blush of pale powder blue. Silky smooth in hand to readily uphold the validity of the desirable premium Gem grade from PCGS. The trend of limited circulation strike silver three-cent issues that began early in the Civil War reached a low for the era of 8,000 pieces in 1865. The year's Proof delivery is also a low mintage affair with just 500 coins struck, representing a significant reduction from the overly optimistic Proof issues of 1860 and 1861 (1,000 pieces each). It is likely that 300 to 400 Proof 1865 trimes are extant, or more than half of the mintage, indicating an above average rate of distribution and preservation despite the chaotic economic and political conditions prevailing in the Eastern United States during the mid to late 1860s. On the other hand, previous few survivors are as well preserved as the premium Gem Cameo Proof offered here.
PCGS# 83715. NGC ID: 27CB.
PCGS Population: 5; 5 finer in this category (Proof-68 Cameo finest).
From the George Schwenk Collection. Earlier from Heritage's CSNS Signature Auction of May 2022, lot 3244; Heritage's Long Beach Signature Auction of October 2022, lot 3576.

Estimate: $4500