There is no doubt in my mind that this coin resides among the top five or six examples of deep mirror prooflike 1878 7/8 TF Strong dollars certified by PCGS. In fact, in my humble opinion this coin is superior to the Jack Lee MS65 DMPL (a coin I've had in my hand on a number of occasion -- and one that I sincerely believe to be over-graded). This specimen is boldly struck with well maintained surfaces that exhibit but a few minor luster grazes and tiny abrasions. The fields are watery with ultra-deep reflectivity throughout and thickly frosted creamy devices that provide a strong cameo effect. There is a slight trace of haziness present, but in no way does it diminish the sheer depth of the mirror fields. Although the PCGS census reports thirty-four graded at this level with two finer -- I believe that figure to be skewed to the high side due to crackouts and resubmissions. This is a genuinely rare coin and it's quality is such that I believe has few peers.
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Although designated as a PL this coin displays deep crystal clear reflectivity throughout that is on par with many examples that are certified as DMPL's. The strike is 100% full with all of the design elements boldly impressed. The surfaces are very clean overall the devices are lightly frosted providing a distinct cameo contrast.
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At the very least this coin rests at the threshold of the next grade designation, but in my opinion is a legitimate candidate for crack out. It is fully struck with surfaces that rival those of the MS64 DMPL that follows. The fields are watery and clear with very deep mirrors and heavily frosted snow white devices that provide a striking cameo contrast. Tremendous flash and awesome visual appeal combined with the fact that this is truly a premium quality specimen equal exceptional value for the buyer of this coin. Moreover, ultra-deep mirror black and white cameo 1878-CC dollars are becoming extremely difficult to locate today.
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CAC approved with sticker denoting Premium Quality. This specimen is 100% fully struck with all the design elements boldly articulated. The watery mirror fields exhibit ultra deep clear reflectivity throughout and the devices are abundantly coated with snow white mint frost rendering a stark black and white cameo contrast. There are small abrasions scattered about, which account for the assigned MS64 grade. Exceedingly brilliant with tremendous flash and compelling visual appeal. An absolutely striking 1878-CC dollar.
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Here's another lovely original 1878-S dollar from the small group I recently acquired. Although not monster toners with A plus color -- these are nonetheless very attractive coins. This specimen is sharply struck throughout with frosty coruscating luster and wonderfully preserved surfaces. The obverse is covered in a harmonious blend of russet, pale lime, aquamarine, sky blue, lilac and salmon iridescence while the reverse displays aquamarine, turquoise, pale lime, lilac and plum hues.
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This is the finest specimen from the small group of original toned 1878-S dollar I recently purchased. To begin with it is sharply struck throughout with rich creamy mint frost in abundance. The surfaces are exceedingly well preserved and this coin rests at the uppermost end of the assigned grade designation. The obverse is aglow with luminescent pale lemon, aquamarine, turquoise, lilac and plum hues with a touch of crimson at the periphery. The reverse displays salmon, pale lemon, aquamarine, turquoise, electric blue and slate iridescence over the entire surface. A beautiful premium quality example.
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An altogether alluring premium quality coin with very attractive original toning. The strike is needle sharp and the glowing lustrous surfaces are exceedingly clean and rest at the very top of the grade designation. The obverse is a melange of beautiful blue hues comprised of aquamarine, turquoise, peacock and sky blue luminescence with accents of copper, beige and lilac. The reverse is awash in cinnamon-beige iridescence overall with deeper slate and blue-gray at the periphery.
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CAC approved with sticker denoting Premium Quality. This coin is quite rare in this condition as evidenced by the fact that NGC has certified a scant twenty five coins as MS65 DPL with none graded higher. Of the two dozen specimens to have achieved this grade and designation at NGC -- this particular coin is surely among the finest. For starters, it is absolutely fully struck with all of the design elements boldly articulated and needle sharp. The glassy fields are deeply reflective and the devices are coated with white mint frost rendering a pronounced cameo contrast. Moreover, there are subtle nuances of turquoise and salmon iridescence scattered about, which add a dreamy element to the overall appearance of this exquisite coin. Finally, the fragile mirror surfaces have been meticulously maintained throughout the years with nary a mark of any real consequence to be found. To be honest, I don't know why this coin is not in a NGC MS66 DPL holder it is certainly a worthy candidate in my humble opinion.
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To begin with this coin is NOT prooflike. What? That's right, in my opinion PCGS erred in regard to the designation. It's a full DMPL all the way and clearly superior to the majority of 1879-CC dollars currently residing in MS64 DMPL holders. This specimen is boldly struck throughout with very deep watery mirrored fields and snow white frosted devices, which provide a powerful black and white cameo contrast. A few scattered light abrasions are present which accounts for the MS64 grade designation. This coin is blast white with tremendous flash and striking visual appeal. I have resubmitted it one time for designation review and will continue to do so (unless it sells quickly) because I strongly believe that it will ultimately end up in a MS64 DMPL holder, which will increase its value (and my asking price) substantially. Simply put, this specimen would be right at home in any world-class deep mirror prooflike dollar collection.
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CAC approved with sticker denoting Premium Quality. One of the key Carson City Morgan dollars and an undeniable rarity in this state of preservation. According to their latest census NGC has certified just fourteen coins at this level with none higher. A needle sharp strike and well preserved surfaces are but two of the components accounting for this lofty grade and accompanying prooflike designation. The fields are quite deeply mirrored (particularly on the reverse) and the devices are amply coated with white mint frost rendering a pronounced cameo effect. The obverse exhibits a faint blush of champagne patination. One could reasonably argue that this specimen is worthy of a full DMPL designation and it certainly merits its assigned grade. Regardless, this is an exceptionally nice example of this rare date. As a point of interest I originally purchased this coin along with a PCGS graded MS65 PL 1879-CC in October of 1998 for $38,000 (for the pair). One of my most discerning clients at the time asked me to select the best specimen of the two for his silver dollar collection and I opted for the NGC graded MS65 PL, which in my opinion was superior in all respects. Moreover, I had the opportunity to compare this particular coin to the highly touted PCGS MS65 DMPL Jack Lee specimen (which has an unsightly scratch on the cheek) and I prefer this piece hands down. Suffice it to say that this is a very special coin indeed and one that has resided in the same collection for nearly a decade.
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Now here is a tantalizingly beautiful early "S" mint Morgan dollar. It is very sharply struck throughout with wonderfully preserved luminescent satin surfaces. The obverse is aglow with striking original mint bag toning comprised of tangerine, violet, sky blue, turquoise, aquamarine, lemon, magenta and teal iridescence. The reverse is white overall with a trace of patination at the rim. A superb visually appealing gem in every respect with an extra helping of pizzazz.
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This is a very nice high-end coin in a PCGS old green holder (OGH). It is boldly struck with very clean surfaces throughout and certainly deserves to be categorized as a premium quality example (and would definitely rank among the top 10% of its like-graded brethren). The fields are deeply mirrored and the devices are well frosted rendering a pronounced cameo effect. There are scattered areas of very faint champagne patination but this coin is primarily white and very appealing.
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This is a stunning dollar pedigreed on the holder to the Larry Shapiro collection. It is boldy struck and well preserved with ultra-deep mirror fields and richly frosted devices that provide a striking black and white cameo contrast. Very flashy with powerful visual appeal.
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My emphasis has always been on the purchase of genuine premium quality specimens -- the top ten percent of the coins in a given grade category if you will. Well this coin exceeds those standards and may very well be the finest PCGS MS66 DMPL 1880-S dollar I have handled to date. It is absolute fully struck with all of the design elements boldly articulated. The surfaces have been meticulously preserved and are even nicer than a couple of higher graded specimens that have been shipped to me during the past year. No, I don't think it's a MS67 DMPL but it is darn close. The gleaming mirror fields exhibit ultra-deep reflectivity and the devices boast thick snow white mint frost rendering a powerful black and white cameo effect. A breathtaking example of this date and one that would be hard to surpass in terms of quality for the stated grade and its sheer beauty and eye appeal.
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WOW, this is an absolutely striking coin -- the quintessential deep mirror prooflike Carson City silver dollar. To begin with it is fully struck with all of the design details present and sharply defined. The fragile mirror surfaces have been very well maintained and are on par with those of many other CC dollars I have seen in MS65 DMPL holders. The fields exhibit ultra deep glassy reflectivity and are sharply contrasted by snow white devices that provide a compelling cameo effect. Exceedingly bright mint brilliance combined with compelling black and white contrast equal monster visual appeal. A truly breathtaking deep mirror prooflike dollar with an abundance of pizzazz.
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A really nice eye appealing example of this date. It is very boldly struck throughout with glistening surfaces that display just a smattering of minor abrasions that are commensurate with the grade designation. The fields are clear and exhibit deep reflectivity contrasted by frosty white cameo devices. A very flashy coin that is solid for the grade.
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If you desire the ultimate 1881-S deep mirror cameo prooflike dollar -- this is it. The technical quality and sheer visual appeal eclipse the monster PCGS MS66 DMPL I sold for $4,500 at the 2005 ANA Convention in San Francisco. And, this specimen is also better than another stunning example I recently sold to a prominent DMPL collector for a price that surpassed the $7,000 mark. Simply put (in the vernacular of today's youth) -- this coin is the bomb. It is boldly struck with wonderfully preserved brilliant surfaces. The fields exhibit ultra-deep crystal clear reflectivity throughout and dazzling snow white devices that provide a spellbinding black and white cameo contrast. One look at this exquisite coin will leave you breathless as it is the very definition of flash, eye appeal and pizzazz at the highest level. Moreover, this date is very scarce in this condition. According to the latest online population report PCGS has certified just seventy-one coins at this level with only seven finer. Of those seventy-one coins thus certified -- very few of them are ultra-deep mirror black and white cameo prooflikes. In fact I've seen five of the six MS67 DMPL's, all of which were brilliant prooflikes with very little cameo contrast. This magnificent specimen is a very rare and special coin indeed. I seriously doubt that it has many peers.
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Wow, this psychedelic beauty is reminiscent of the fabulous Battle Creek dollars in regard to the sheer intensity and vibrancy of its spectacular coloration. It is sharply struck with well maintained surfaces that exhibit fewer imperfections than the grade would indicate. Having said that -- it is the wildly hued obverse toning that lifts this coin above the crowd. Crimson, emerald, teal, violet, fuchsia, tangerine and electrifying apricot set this coin ablaze in a kaleidoscope swirling rainbow iridescence. Moreover, this is an 1882-P -- a date you'd never expect to find with such exquisite toning. If you're building a date set of toned Morgan's this is the coin with which to fill the 1882 year slot. Over the course of thirty-four years buying and selling beautifully toned dollars -- I believe that this is the most gorgeous toned example of this issue that I have encountered.
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This is an altogether extraordinary deep mirror prooflike example of a date seldom found with such characteristics. As testimony to that statement, PCGS has certified a mere sixteen coins at this level with only one finer. Of the sixteen listed in the Population Report I am confident that this specimen would give any of its like graded brethren a run for their money. To begin with, it is fully struck with all of the design elements boldly articulated. The fields exhibit ultra deep reflectivity throughout while the devices are richly frosted, providing abundant cameo contrast. Moreover, the surfaces have been well maintained throughout the years. Bright white and very flashy with great eye appeal.
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Without question this is a stellar example of this particular date. This little jewel is well struck and boasts unencumbered icy white mint brilliance throughout. Moreover, the fragile mirror surfaces have been very well preserved over the years. And speaking of mirror surfaces, the fields are watery and deeply reflective while the motifs are engulfed in shimmering white mint frost rendering a pronounced cameo contrast. A very flashy specimen with powerful visual appeal.
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Quite rare in this state of preservation as evidenced by the fact that PCGS has certified a mere twenty coins at this level with a single coin graded higher. This specimen is very sharply struck with all the design elements present and accounted for. The surfaces are exceptionally clean and rest upon the very threshold of the next higher grade designation. The gleaming mirror fields are deeply reflective and the devices are lightly frosted rendering a soft cameo contrast. A thin transparent layer of very light patination rests upon the surface, which in no way inhibits the reflectivity. This is a genuine premium quality example of this date and one that I'm confident has few (if any) peers.
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CAC approved with sticker denoting Premium Quality. This is a very cool toned gem deep mirror prooflike Carson City dollar. It is sharply struck throughout with well preserved surfaces. The fields exhibit very deep glassy reflectivity while the devices received an ample quotient of mint frost that provides a nice cameo contrast. It was really difficult to capture the color on this coin and I'm not 100% satisfied with our image so I'll try and paint a picture with words. The obverse displays shimmering aquamarine and turquoise iridescence overall with underlying hints of olive when rotated under a coin lamp while the reverse is brilliant white. Moreover, there is some textile pattern evident in the upper half. This is a coin that looks much better in person.
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A strikingly beautiful gem example of this date, which can be quite difficult to locate with colorful toning. This specimen is sharply struck with glowing creamy mint luster and well preserved surfaces. The obverse is aglow with brilliant aquamarine, pale violet and apricot iridescence encompassing the entire surface while the reverse exhibits a light dusting of champagne patina. An altogether alluring coin with excellent visual appeal.
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Although graded MS64 DMPL this is one of the most eye appealing example of this scarce date that I can recall. It is boldly struck with very nice surfaces that exhibit just a smattering of small inconsequential abrasions. The crystal clear glassy fields exhibit ultra-deep reflectivity while the devices are abundantly coated with icy white mint frost providing an atypically (in regard to this date) strong cameo contrast. Very flashy with lots of pizzazz. I can assure you that you could search high and low and not find its equal in terms of sheer eye appeal for the date. Moreover, this is a genuinely scarce coin as evidenced by the fact that PCGS has certified just eighty-nine at this level with thirty-three graded higher.
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A visually compelling coin and the quintessential Carson City DMPL dollar. It is sharply struck with a few grade limiting abrasions present on Liberty's chin with the balance of the coin being relatively mark-free. The dazzling brilliant fields are crystal clear and watery with ultra-deep reflectivity and snow white devices with a prominent (and highly desirable) halo effect around the eagle. An exceedingly flashy deep mirror black and white cameo prooflike -- what more is there to say?
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