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Auction: 314 - Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1033

1903 Jefferson - Louisiana Purchase Proof Gold Dollar in Original Presentation Holder. When objectively looking at all U.S. Mint struck coins that remain in their original packaging, the present piece certainly has to be among the most exciting and important to remain extant. Other candidates in a similar category include early proof sets in presentation sets like the multi-million dollar King of Siam set as well as the familiar Panama Pacific commemorative sets. In those instances however, the price points are often untouchable. And yet, when compared to non-unique presentations like the Panama Pacific sets, the present Jefferson gold dollar in its original presentation is certainly rarer. One of the first 100 issued of the type, it was struck in proof condition - the only proof strikes of the type. Just as the day it was issued, the coin remains sandwiched between a presentation certificate that reads, "THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE ACCOMPANYING LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION GOLD DOLLAR, STRUCK AT THE MINT OF THE UNITED STATES AT PHILADELPHIA IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JUNE 28TH, 1902, IS ONE OF THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED IMPRESSIONS FROM THE JEFFERSON DIES." The document is signed below by Rhine R. Freed as Coiner and John H. Landis as Superintendent. The coin is further protected by wax paper that is held in place by string that is secured by the wax stamp of the Philadelphia Mint. Examples were distributed to "favored insiders" as well as officials of the government and the surrounding exposition. In another small miracle, the consignor, a descendant of the original owner, has maintained the coin´s provenance and has informed us that it was owned by railroad executive Samuel Spencer. A veteran of the Civil War of the Confederate side, Spencer went on to become President of six railroads before his untimely death in a train crash in 1906. Today, he is known as the Father of the Southern Railway System. As one can imagine, the existence of similar presented specimens is of the highest rarity. In fact, the only other Jefferson example this cataloger is aware of was held by the legendary Stack´s family for years and was subsequently sold several years ago. Known for their impeccable taste and great foresight, they resisted whatever urge there may have been to remove the coin from its translucent tomb to reveal its true beauty. Today, the coin´s whereabouts are unknown and the possibility of removal is very real. Realistically, several other examples likely remain hidden, but an existence of more than several would be truly surprising. Quality wise, there is little reason to assume the coin inside is anything other than pristinely preserved. Inspection under light does show shimmering where field mirrors exist as well as several coppery blushes, primarily on the reverse, where the copper and gold allow mixture was imperfect. In all, what is unquestionably preserved is one of the "coolest" items that any collector could hope to own - a rare item with an accompanying provenance in an even rarer state of original presentation.

Sold for
$18,000