1908 INDIAN $10, MOTTO PR67

GEM MATTE PROOF SURFACES WITH A BIT OF ORANGE PEEL COLOR. A MAGNIFICENT SPECIMENT. JUST 116 STRUCK. ONLY TWO PR67+ COINS GRADED HIGHER. CAC. All 116 proof Indian Eagles delivered in 1908 are of the Motto type, and most have a dark, olive-khaki color to their matte-textured surfaces. The original mintage is the largest in this proof series, and it obvious that the Mint anticipated strong collector sales for the new gold types designed by Bela Lyon Pratt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Unforunately, the matte, or sandblast finish proved less than satisfactory in the eyes of the contemporary public, and many proof 1908 Indian Tens were likely melted as unsold at year's end. We believe that only 40-55 pieces are extant, and the number of high-quality survivors is even less due to the widespread distribution of this issue among non-collectors at the time of delivery. Finding an example that is free of excessive shiny spots, nicks or other signs of mishandling can be a challenging task in today's market.