NNP

1863 10C Ten Cents, Judd-325, Pollock-390, R.5, PR64 NGC. CAC. Design. The obverse design features the heraldic shield with arrows, inside an inverted laurel wreath, with the inscription EXCHANGED FOR U.S. NOTES around. The reverse shows the denomination 10 CENTS in two lines above the date, with the inscriptions POSTAGE CURRENCY above, and ACT JULY 1862 below. Struck in standard silver alloy with a plain edge. Examples are known that range from 88% silver to 96.1% silver. Commentary. The die state is earlier than some others using the same obverse, showing a date of 1868 on the reverse. Author David Cassel believes those later date pieces were actually struck in 1863, with the date incorrectly engraved on the reverse die. An example of Judd-325 was included in a set of coins presented to Salmon P. Chase in May 1863, confirming the date on the coins. Physical Description. Delicate gold, sky-blue, and iridescent toning appears on both sides of this moderately mirrored Choice proof. The obverse shows slight contrast beneath the toning, with reflective fields and myriad dark toning flecks, attesting to its original surfaces. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 3938, realized $7637.50. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.