1852 Proof U.S. Assay Office Ten Dollar - Copper

Coin Details

Description

This copper proof impression of the 1852 U.S. Assay Office ten-dollar eagle die is one of the rarest off-metal strikings in the territorial gold series. Copper impressions from gold coin dies were produced in minuscule numbers for die verification, presentation, or record-keeping purposes. The copper planchet received the full detail of the ten-dollar eagle design with exceptional sharpness, as the softer metal accepted the die impression more completely than gold alloy. The proof finish exhibits mirror-like fields and precisely defined design elements. Off-metal territorial gold strikings are significant to numismatic researchers because they preserve the original die state in a more legible form than circulated gold coins. This copper ten-dollar impression is among the finest surviving testaments to the die-cutting skill of the U.S. Assay Office.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare, unique. Copper off-metal strikings from Assay Office dies are virtually undocumented.

Cross References

K-8 (Kagin); NGC #31110; U.S. Assay Office, San Francisco; copper proof impression