King of Siam Proof Set Gallery
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Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has graded and encapsulated the rare
and historic set of United States proof coins presented to the King of
Siam in 1836. Consisting of nine denominations ranging from half cent to
eagle, this amazing proof set has been known to numismatics only since
1962, when it surfaced in England.
 
1834 King of Siam
Half Cent Piece
NGC PF-66 RB
For a time exhibited at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas,
this set was recently purchased from its previous owner by Mike Bobb of
Mike's Coin Chest in Torrance, California. Now that it has been certified
by NGC, the set will be exhibited at NGC's table during the Fall 2001 Long
Beach Expo in California.
 
1834 King of Siam
One Cent Piece
NGC PF-66 BN
When revealed to the numismatic community in 1962, this set was
contained within a custom made case covered in yellow leather, that being
the color of Siamese royalty. Inside, the coins were held by slots
depressed into a lining of blue velvet. Two of the slots were empty, and
it is assumed that these once held proof examples of the 1834 half dime
and the 1834 Capped Head quarter eagle (the type with motto E PLURIBUS
UNUM). All of the coins present are dated 1834, with the exception of the
silver dollar and gold eagle. These two are dated 1804 and feature designs
typical of that time.
 
1834 King of Siam
Ten Cent Piece
NGC PF-67
Research by Eric Newman and Kenneth Bressett resulted in the
publication in 1962 of a book in which the story behind this mismatching
of dates was revealed. When commissioned by the State Department in 1834
to prepare two complete sets of the current coins, U. S. Mint Director
Samuel Moore interpreted this to mean that such sets would include, in
addition to the pieces then being coined, the silver dollar and the eagle,
two denominations not minted since 1804.
 
1834 King of Siam
Quarter Dollar Piece
NGC PF-65
Rather than prepare hubs for these two denominations featuring designs
then common to the other pieces, he had the Engraving Department prepare
1804-dated dies of the types last used for them. He was unaware, however,
that the silver dollars struck in 1804 bore dates of earlier years. Thus,
the first silver dollars dated 1804 were minted in 1834, these being the
"original" or Class I dollars of which just eight are known.
 
1834 King of Siam
Half Dollar Piece
NGC PF-65
A very thorough account of the history behind the coining of the King
of Siam proof set and its presentation to King Ph'ra Nang Klao was written
recently by Q. David Bowers. His book, The Rare Silver Dollars Dated
1804 and the Exciting Adventures of Edmund Roberts, goes into great
detail. It recounts the long journey by which Roberts presented this set
and other gifts to the king in April of 1836.
 
1834 King of Siam
Silver Dollar Piece
NGC PF-67
Well preserved within their velvet bed, the nine coins that comprise
the King of Siam proof set received very impressive grades from NGC. Both
the 1834 Classic Head quarter eagle and the 1804 eagle have been certified
as Proof-64. The set's quarter dollar, half dollar and half eagle, all
dated 1834, achieved gem status, grading Proof-65.
 
1834 King of Siam
Half Eagle Piece
NGC PF-64
Finer still are the collection's copper pieces of 1834, the half cent
grading Proof-66 Red/Brown, while the lovely cent was certified as
Proof-66 Brown. Easily the finest coins in this historic set are the 1834
dime and 1804 silver dollar, both of which received the lofty grade of
Proof-67. The latter is the finer of just two 1804 Class I dollars
certified by NGC.
 
1834 King of Siam
Eagle Piece
NGC PF-65
Mark Salzberg, Chairman and CEO of NGC, was delighted to have this
famed proof set reside within the company's holders. "It's terrific
to see these coins again after ten years," Salzberg said. "It
makes one reflect on the learning curve that results from examining so
many rare and outstanding pieces since that time."
 
1834 King of Siam
Golden Eagle Piece
NGC PF-64
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