By CoinWeek ….
The coin collecting hobby experienced significant growth in the 1870s and 1880s, marking a notable expansion compared to earlier decades. This period saw an increased accessibility of collectable coins to the middle class, moving beyond being solely a pursuit of the wealthy. The formation and increased activity of numismatic societies, the proliferation of introductory handbooks, and the emergence of specialized publications and auction catalogs from prominent dealers like John W. Haseltine and the Chapman Brothers all contributed to a more active and organized rare coin market.
In 1870, the Philadelphia Mint struck 1,000 Indian Head Cent Proofs, a number that rose to 3,955 by the end of the decade. The cent, though reduced in size in 1857, still held purchasing power in 1882. Adjusting for inflation, that diminutive coin would be the equivalent of 32¢ today. By comparison, the Liberty Head Double Eagle, which debuted in 1850 at the height of the California Gold Rush would equate to $221.70 today. Because of this high cost, only the wealthiest collectors of the period had the means to acquire Proof gold. In total, the Mint produced only 59 1882 Liberty Head Double Eagle Proofs. Of this limited mintage, fewer than 20 examples are accounted for in the combined census of CAC, NGC, and PCGS.
GreatCollections is offering one of the finest known examples of this rare U.S. Proof gold coin. Graded NGC Proof 65+* Ultra Cameo, it is one of only eight known with Ultra Cameo / Deep Cameo frost. The coin is also likely the second finest known example for the date.
At the time of publication, the highest of 4 bids is $100,000. Bidding ends on July 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM Pacific Time.
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GreatCollections has offered high-quality examples of thousands of Lincoln Cents over the years, including many top population pieces. To search through GreatCollection’s archive of over 600,000 certified coins and notes the company has sold, please visit the GreatCollections Auction Archives.
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