1903 Classic Commemorative Louisiana Purchase Exposition NGC PF-61 LOUISIANA PURCHASE

1903 Classic Commemorative Louisiana Purchase Exposition NGC PF-61 LOUISIANA PURCHASE

In 1992, Q. David Bowers wrote: "One hundred specimens of [the 1903 LA Purchase, Jefferson Gold Dollars] were struck with Proof finish and were distributed to favored insiders as well as Exposition and government officials, not to the collecting fraternity." Most, perhaps all, of these Proofs were placed into specially made certificates, with the coin sandwiched between two "windows" of waxed paper, then sealed in place with twine that was tied in a bow, the ends of which were sealed in red wax (in essence, an early "slab"). The certificates bore the following imprint: "This is to certify that the accompanying Louisiana Purchase Exposition gold dollar struck at the Mint of the United States, Philadelphia, in accordance with an Act of Congress approved June 28th, 1902, is one of the first one hundred impressions from the Jefferson dies." Most of the Proof coins have been removed from the certificates in order to be graded.