An eye-catching proof coin that is solid for the grade.  At first glance, it appears to be a full gem.

The mirrored fields are deep, clean, clear, and have a somewhat “liquid” appearance. Obviously one of the first coins struck from a new pair of dies, the raised devices possess an abundance of velvety white mint frost that provides a white-on-black cameo contrast. It should be noted that the mirrored fields were difficult to photograph properly; therefore, their clarity and depth aren’t depicted accurately in the image.

All design features are defined in razor-sharp detail, including all star points, Miss Liberty’s hair, and the eagle’s talons.

Over the decades, the coin has acquired splashes of deep crimson-red toning intermingled with traces of blue and gold, primarily framing the peripheral areas. The true color of the toning is not well represented in the image. No cloudiness, milky haze, or distracting carbon spotting is evident. 

The surfaces are remarkably void of distracting impairments visible to the unaided eye. A few hairlines and trivial imperfections are noticeable, mainly under magnification, that keep the coin from the PR65CAM designation.

The number of proof dollars struck in 1866, the first year of the modified With Motto design, was a meager 725.

This coin, which is quite scarce in such state of preservation, represents an excellent value when one considers the fact that an attractive Liberty Seated Dollar with the Cameo designation in PR65 is valued in the $15,000 range.