Spectacular 1844 Quarter, PR66
Probably the Finest Known

1844 25C PR66 NGC. CAC. Ex: Pittman-Kaufman. The rarity of the 1844 proof quarter is attested to by the solitary example certified by either NGC or PCGS, this NGC-graded PR66 coin pedigreed to the John Jay Pittman and the Phil Kaufman collections.
Additionally, Larry Briggs, in his The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Quarters, says of the 1844 quarter that there are "approximately five proofs," and Walter Breen, writing in his 1988 Complete Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Coins, also contends that there are "Five proofs traced." He elaborates on these in the 1989 Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins, 1722-1989: (1) "Smithsonian Institution, from Mint." (2) "Ex Dr. Judd cased set." (3) "J.H. South: 507." (4) "LM 6/71:717." (5) One other impaired piece seen years ago, but I have long since lost track of it."
We feel The estimates by Breen and Briggs are clearly too high. David Akers presents a more complete discussion of the 1844 proof quarter in his October 1997 catalog of the Pittman Collection:

"This is the rarest silver denomination of the year in proof with possibly only three examples known; other than the one reportedly in the Smithsonian Institution and the example in the Mathew Stickney original Proof set (Lot 1788 in the 1907 auction of his collection), I have not seen or heard of another. Breen's two other proofs mentioned in his Proof Encyclopedia are J.H. South: 507 and Lester Merkin 6/71:717, the latter cataloged by Breen himself, but not really a Proof. If the South coin was a legitimate coin, then there are four known. Still, this is one of the greatest rarities among all Liberty Seated Proof coins, comparable to the 1841 Dime and the 1840 and 1841 Quarters."

Aside from the appearances mentioned above, our search of auction records has turned up no further examples. Our roster supports the comments made by Akers:

1. Proof 66 NGC. The present coin. Numismatic Gallery (4/1948); The John Jay Pittman Collection (David Akers, 10/1997), lot 833; The Philip Kaufman Collection of Early Seated Proof Sets, Part Two (Heritage FUN Sale, 1/2008), lot 3025.

2. Proof. Smithsonian Institution.

Additional Appearances

A. Proof. Lester Merkin (6/1971), lot 717.

B. Proof. J.H South (Stack's, 2/1951), lot 507.

The current Premium Gem offering displays beautiful natural toning with various iridescent colors, including reddish-gold, cobalt-blue, and gold-beige, the palette being slightly deeper on the obverse. A penetrating strike delivers uniformly sharp definition to every design feature; even the sandal and straps on Liberty's foot exhibit complete separation. The date is level and centered, and shows repunching on the upper part of the lower loop of the 8, and on the lower crossbars of the two 4s. There are a number of very tiny spikes from the denticles into the field by the 11th, 12th, and 13th stars, along with some faint die polish lines intermixed with a few unobtrusive hairlines in the reverse fields.
The overall technical quality and aesthetic appeal of this spectacular coin validates the CAC green label designation. As previously mentioned, it is not only extremely rare, it is the only one certified, and is probably the finest known.
From The Scott Rudolph Collection.
See: Video Lot Description(Registry values: P5) (#5538)

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