1858 Princess Gold Dollar PCGS PR66 Cameo (CAC)
Struck during the first year that the Mint marketed proof coins directly to the public it is a miracle that this piece remains in its current state of preservation. Neither David Akers in his 1975 work on the series, nor Walter Breen in his “Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins” gave a concrete number for pieces struck, although Breen did say no more than 10 to 12 were known. In all degrees of proof (regular, cameo, and deep cameo) PCGS has graded a mere 18 pieces, with no way to differentiate any resubmissions. While this is the finest know from a numerical standpoint, there are also 2 lesser specimens in deep cameo (both PR65 and quite possibly the same coin). I have personally seen one, if not both, of them. This coin displays as deep fields and cameo devises as the aforementioned pieces. Virtually un-improvable, with eye appeal off the charts.
PCGS Cert #16291912
PCGS / NGC Population: 1/3 Higher: 0/0
CAC Population/ Higher: 1/0