H Norton Everest Varieties Collection
1959

Owner Comments:

The 1959 proof Franklin ranks among the key dates in the series in Ultra Cameo condition. The most likely explanation for the tremendous rarity of this issue in Ultra is linked to the decline in the quality of the master die. In use since 1948, the master die by 1959 was quite worn. Almost all the original fine detail of Franklin's bust and the Liberty bell deteriorated to a soft mush. The mint was aware of the decline in quality as they reworked the master die in 1960. There two factors why there are so few Ultra 1959 proof Franklins available. 1) The great "silver melt" of 1979 and 1980 when silver was at $50 an ounce. A lot of 1959 proof Franklins were melted down for their silver value. 2) Many cameo 1959 proof Franklins were ruined due to incorrect dipping. Along with the 1950 and 1952, 1959 is the rarest non-variety Franklin in Ultra Cameo. This is an absolute stunner. Both obverse and reverse offers exceptional snow-white frosted cameo devices. The fields are pristine, offering spot-free, haze-free surfaces. This is a great addition to the collector building a phenomenal Ultra Cameo Franklin collection.