The extreme rarity of the four known branch mint proof 1884-CC dollars is well known to specialists. What is not as well known, and is in fact extraordinary, is that Jack Lee owned two of the four known pieces.

At first Heritage thought the PR66 Cameo piece being offering in the firms January’s FUN Signature Auction was the same coin they sold in the Morris Silverman Collection in 2002. However, when compared it to the plate in the Silverman catalog they came to the startling conclusion that they are clearly two different coins with distinctly different pedigree markers.

In his 1986 book The Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook, Wayne Miller termed the 1884-CC dollars as Class III coins, meaning little was known but these coins might be proofs. Other Class III branch mint dollars include the 1881-O and 1884-O. However, after we have examined two of 1884-CC dollars we are of the opinion these coins can be “promoted” to Class II strikings, i.e., “unauthorized but definite branch mint proofs.”

The four criteria set out by Wayne Miller for proof strikings include: a bold strike, square rims, virtually perfect surfaces, and mirror-like fields. This coin fits three of the four criteria listed. The only exception are square rims, which one really would not expect on a branch mint proof dollar, almost all of which were struck from dies intended for circulation. (The only exception we are aware of is the 1879-O).

The 1884-CC branch mint proofs were struck from VAM-3 dies. According to the VAMworld website, these heavily used dies are characterized by: “Doubled 18 in date. 1 doubled below top crossbar and to left of bottom crossbar. Die chips at inside right of top and bottom loops of first 8 and slightly doubled right outside of upper loop. Second 8 slightly doubled at top inside of bottom loop. Slightly doubled nose, lips, chin and back of Phrygian cap.”

The proofs were struck from an advanced state of these dies with extensive die cracks noted around the periphery on the obverse. Also, the die chipping in the top of the loop of the 8 appears to have diminished from die lapping, and the chipping in the bottom loop of the 8 is more sharply defined here, now an arc in that part of the digit rather than generalized chipping. As seen also on the earlier Jack Lee branch mint proof, this piece shows an area of heavy die polish in front of Liberty’s eye.

Also common to both coins, and branch mint proofs in general, there is an unpolished area between the eagle’s neck and right (facing) wing. This is common to these pieces because of the branch mint’s unfamiliarity with striking proof coinage. It appears an attempt was made to try and strike coins that closely resembled Philadelphia proofs; however, lacking actual proof dies there were necessarily limitations to how “proof” these pieces could be.

The fields on this piece have mirror-like reflectivity that goes well beyond that seen on a prooflike dollar. The surfaces are nearly perfect, lacking the usual small abrasions from coin-to-coin contact. Similar to the other Jack Lee proof Heritage sold in the Morris Silverman Sale in April 2002, close examination with a loupe reveals tiny lint marks, an obvious attempt by mint personnel to wipe the dies prior to striking, but tiny lint marks adhered to the dies from static electricity. Both sides are evenly matched in color with a reddish undertone that is overlaid by rich cobalt-blue. A curious feature of this coin is seen over the ear of Liberty. It shows faint remnants of roller marks. This is most likely from setting the dies too far apart rather than a lack of striking pressure.

The 1884-CC branch mint proof is one of the great rarities in the Morgan dollar series. So few pieces are known that most dollar collectors are not even aware of their existence. For those who do know, this lot represents a rare opportunity to acquire this important coin, from The Estate of Jack Lee Collection.

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