I've been doing research to catalog 1864 small motto two cent proofs. Probably fewer than 20 exist. I've been able to identify 13 unique coins so far from about 100 photos from catalogs, websites, books and journals. I have some references to examples in catalogs that I don't have, and they are listed below. I'm hoping some forum members might have these and would be willing to photograph or scan the pertinent lot numbers and send them to me. Good images are crucial to identification, but descriptions are important too. I think I have all records of public sales from 1993 to present. However, I have no records of sales between 1987 and 1993 and between 1949 and 1987. There must have been some, so if anyone has any documentation of sales in these intervals, please let me know. Unfortunately, catalogs with sales in 1949 back to 1909 (the oldest I've found) have no pics of this coin. These coins have appreciated in value about 500-fold since the 1940's! I'll be visiting the ANA library next year for additional research. Eventually, probably next year, I plan to publish the results. Obtaining copyright permissions may be a barrier though. If you can help, it's best to send me a private mail. If anyone has ideas about different approaches to the problem, please post. Thanks in advance. Cal Need scans or pics of coins from following paper catalogs: 2004-Oct, Lawrence, lot 1107; Richmond Collection, no pics on website 2003-Jul, Heritage, lot 5866; there are pics on their website, but are of poor quality 2001-Aug, Bowers and Merena, lot 56; Rarities 2000-Oct, Superior, lot 4165 1999-Jan, Bowers and Merena, lot1035; Rarities 1997-Nov, Bowers and Merena, lot 207; Pennsylvania Cabinet 1995-Mar, Bowers and Merena, lot 2317; Herman Halpern Collection 1993-Oct, Stack's, lot146; Reed Hawn Collection; have catalog, only need price realized 1987-Oct, Bowers and Merena, lot233; Norweb Collection, in addition to description and pics in catalog, need price realized
PCGS Auction Prices has that one - ex-David Proskey, raw coin described as "PR64RB." Hammered at $16,500. They also have a David Akers Auction #90 result from August 1990, a raw "PR63BN" which realized $8800. That might at least be something to research from.
Gee thanks Paddy. I too have read, somewhere, that 20 Small Motto proofs exist. Wish I owned one but I settled for a PR-64 BN Large Motto and a house to live in. LOL In his 2011 book "The Authoritative Reference On Two Cents Coins" Kevin Flynn notes on page 13; "Only 10 to 15 of the 1864 Small Motto proofs were struck as patterns and subsequently sold as proofs." As of moments ago the NGC census lists a total of 8 Small Motto coins graded. The PCGS population report lists a total of 17 coins. PCGS includes the notation "20 to 30 known". We have no way of knowing how many pieces have been seen by both grading companies. I applaud calcol's efforts in tracking down the known examples of Small Motto proofs.
Thanks loads, Dave. I was not even aware of the PCGS auction prices web page. I had looked at the registry and coin facts, but there were a few sales on the auction prices page that I hadn't seen before. There were a couple of errors and omissions on that page, but still a valuable resource. In addition to the list previously posted, I now need scans or pics of coins from following paper catalogs: 2002-Jun, Superior, lot 3462, pre-Long Beach 2000-Oct, Superior, lot 4166, pre-Long Beach 2000-Oct, Stack's, lot 244, 65th Anniversary Sale 1990-Aug, David Akers, lot 1514
Most of these coins are now PCGS-certified. However, the PCGS pop report exaggerates the number of coins that exist. For example, one particular coin has been graded at least three times because I have pictures of it as 65RD, 65+RD, and 66RD. There are a couple more that have received two grades each from PCGS, and at least one that has crossed from NGC to PCGS. Cal
