PCGS Nos: 8699, 8823

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 208,700
Proofs: 40

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Diameter: ±26.8 millimeters

Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10% 

Weight: ±258 grains (±16.7 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia, PA) below the eagle on the reverse

Images courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions

Significant examples:
NGC Proof-65 Cameo (illustrated below).  Ex - Stack's Davis-Graves Sale, April 1954, Lot 885 - Stack's sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 1097 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "The California Sale", October 2-3, 2000, Lot 1055, where it was described (in part) as follows: "A fabulous coin that boasts highly frosted devices which are proudly offset by the deeply mirrored fields. Mint records indicate that just 40 were coined in Proof, of these only 15 have been graded thus far (with duplications very likely between PCGS and NGC), this being tied for the finest known with one other gem proof that is graded by PCGS. Even the Trompeter coin graded a notch lower at NGC Proof 64 Cameo, indicating how difficult this coin is to locate in full gem Proof 65 condition.
As the surfaces are nearly perfect, it is often difficult to trace a pedigree on a proof coin, but on this particular example there were a couple of minute specks that confirmed our suspicions. One tiny copper speck is located very near the rim just left of the seventh obverse star, another copper speck is located at the end of the branch both of which confirm that this is the DiBello coin, and previously its from the Davis-Graves collection. Here is a coin with the finest of pedigrees, in the ultimate condition of any 1883 Proof eagle, just waiting to grace your collection.  Examination will note some faint marks, most of which were in the planchet before this piece was coined, and the surfaces are very well preserved." @ $34,500.00

NGC Proof-64 Cameo (illustrated above).  Ex - Trompeter collection

Recent appearances:
PCGS Proof-55.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 1333, illustrated, not sold

NGC MS-63.  Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "October 2000 Long Beach Sale" October 5-7, 2000, Lot 7724, not illustrated, sold for $1,063.75

Notes:
The finest Uncirculated examples graded by PCGS are 4 MS-64's.

The finest Proof example graded by PCGS is a single PR-65.

The finest Proof Deep Cameo example graded by PCGS is a single PRDC-64.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, July 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service