Photo Denom Date Grade TPG Variety GFRC Rating Price Description Buy
Seated 10C 1881 Seated 10C 1881
 PR63 PCGS
13107684 		F-103
 Choice $750 New April 6! Rare Proof Die Pairing. Mirrored Fields, Thick Crusty Patina, Lakeland Collection. It is difficult to believe that the low mintage 1881 year yielded three separate proof sets of dies. Let's quote directly from the Seated Dime web-book to understand the importance of this Lakeland Collection offering. The third 1881 proof obverse was discovered by John Dannreuther during his comprehensive proof coinage research project. The incremental proof obverse was reported to the author in late September 2014 and is initially listed at R6+ rarity. A review of Heritage Auction archives during a population study revealed three observations (PF66, PF65 Cameo and PF63) within the database. John Dannreuther shared quarterly 1881 proof mintage figures secured from the National Archives as follows; January/March - 675, April/June - 50, July/September - 0, October/December - 460. John believes the 1881 Variety 101 proofs were struck during the first quarter as the most prevalent in the market while the newly discovered Variety 103 proofs were struck during the second quarter. The F-103 proof Obverse is easily diagnosed by a date position that is far right of that seen on F-101 and F-102. This example is covered by a thick crusty skin with muted mirror reflectivity. Please note that there is a fine toning line in the lower right obverse field above the foot. Housed in PCGS Gen 4.4 (2005-2011) holder.