LOT #7059 |
Sold on Aug 15, 1996 for: Not Sold
1815 25C
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Sold on Aug 15, 1996 for:
Not Sold Description
1815 E Countermarked Quarter, MS 66/With a Possible Explanation of These Enigmatic Coins
1815 E Countermark MS 66 NGC. For more than a century the E and L countermarks on 1815 and 1825 quarters have proved to be one of the greatest mysteries in U.S. numismatics. Numerous theories have been proposed, but until now none have withstood critical analysis. For the past several years Karl Moulton of Coolin, Idaho has studied these enigmatic coins and the possible meaning behind the countermarks. First, their weights do not support the theory that the E and L stand for excessive and light weights. Second, no evidence has ever surfaced that these pieces were given out as school awards for achievement in English and Latin.It is Karl's contention that the countermarks were carefully placed on the coins as an aid for star and date placement, thus prolonging die life. The letters themselves have no meaning, they were the same letter punches used in the word LIBERTY on cents and half dollars from 1795 and '96. The letters were apparently chosen at random. The E countermark on this coin is tilted slightly to the right, and if a line is drawn from the right side of the E to the first 1 in the date, and another drawn from stars 4 to 12, the point where they intersect is where John Reich placed the center dot on the die. Other left-right star pairings can also be drawn off this vertical axis from the E to the 1 in the date, including stars 3 and 13, 5 and 11, 6 and 10, and 7 and 9. In essence, the counterstamped quarters were die trial pieces, struck to help Reich achieve a mathematically balanced strike long before the advent of steam coinage in 1836. The complete findings on these numismatic curiosities including the 1825 E and L counterstamps are due to be published in the next issue of the John Reich Journal, a worthy publication for anyone interested in pre-steam press coinage.
The coin itself is superb in every regard. Deeply toned on each side, the obverse has a rich, almost scarlet-red center with sea-green peripheral color. The reverse has a cobalt-blue patination. Sharply struck throughout with no obvious marks on either side, other than the counterstamp, of course, whose impression can be faintly made out on the reverse to the left of the C in the denomination.
Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 5321, GSID# 5061)
Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
Weight: 6.74 grams
ASW: 0.19338oz
Mintage: 89,235
Auction Info
1996 ANA Signature Sale #163 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 1996
14th-17th
Wednesday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 259
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