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WOW, this is a really impressive coin for its stated grade…and I know a thing or two about this date, having handled many of the top 1895-S DMPL dollars over the years. I purchased what I still believe to be the finest known ultra-deep mirror black and white cameo prooflike for $6,000 in mid-1980 and subsequently sold it to Bruce Amspacher in early 1981 for $26,000 -- quite a hefty price at the time…particularly in light of the horrific coin market crash of April 1980. This specific coin and transaction are discussed on page 146 of “The Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook” by Wayne Miller. A couple of years ago I sold a PCGS MS66 DMPL 1895-S dollar to a well-known dealer for a price in the high $70,000 range and it just sold in the Bowers and Merena Denver ANA auction for $103,500 (including the buyers premium). To be perfectly honest – from a purely aesthetic perspective I like this MS63 DMPL better than the MS66 DMPL and it’s available for a lot less money! This coin is boldly struck with deeply mirrored fields and richly frosted cameo devices (the MS66 DMPL was more semi-PL and didn’t have nearly the contrast). The surfaces appear to be of much higher quality than the grade would indicate due to a lack of any significant abrasions (the MS66 DMPL had numerous light marks scattered across the cheek). Although 1895-S DMPL’s do exhibit die polishing lines in the fields, there are some (non mint caused) hairlines in the area under the jaw line of Liberty, which in reality shouldn’t have kept this coin out of the MS64 category. Moreover, this lovely piece is bathed in light champagne patina overall with accents of lilac, ice blue, lime and cinnamon at the periphery. In my opinion this is a solid MS64 DMPL that at first glance appears to be a Gem. It is certainly much more attractive and visually appealing than a number of washed out PCGS MS63 DMPL’s that have appeared in major auctions over the last several years. In the final analysis I’d much rather have an obviously original coin with a few trivial lines than one whose original skin has been burnt off by one too many trips in the Jewel Luster or at a conservation service.
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