SLOTKIN FAMILY TRUST GOLD PROOF TYPE SET
$20 Coronet Head, Type 1 (1850-1865)

Owner Comments:

1860 $20 PR64 Cameo PCGS. It is perhaps a strong statement that the remarkable Harry Bass collection did not contain a proof example of this issue. Neither did the Eliasberg, Pittman, and Norweb collections. With its absence from these and other important collections of gold coinage, it is clear that this issue is a prominent rarity in proof format. In fact, we are aware of less than 10 examples known to exist, from a mintage of 59 pieces. Only seven examples were recorded in the Trompeter notes, and possibly one or two others exist. Among these coins are the Smithsonian Institution and ANS specimens. The present specimen is from the gold collection of Jacksonville businessman Samuel W. Wolfson, sold at auction by Stack's in 1962.
This beautiful near-Gem proof has heavily frosted motifs of light yellow-gold color, with deeply mirrored fields on both sides. All design details are boldly struck and fully defined. Nothing in the field only distracts from the overall eye appeal of this remarkable double eagle. Both sides have wavy fields, often seen on proof gold coinage during this and later years. Walter Breen noted that the date slants down slightly to the right, although we do not believe this is the case. The final digit is tilted slightly to the right, and it is this feature that creates an optical illusion, giving the appearance of a slanting date. The digits are all thin and delicately formed, and show the slightest doubling. The reverse border consists of unusually shaped, tapered dentils that are rather widely separated. 1 finer, a PCGS 64 Deep Cameo