1820 25C Large 0 MS65+ PCGS. CAC. B-2, R.2....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Aug 3, 2012 for:

$64,625.00 Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1820 Large 0 Quarter, B-2, MS65+
Fully Lustrous Olive and Amber Surfaces

1820 25C Large 0 MS65+ PCGS. CAC. B-2, R.2. The year 1820 was one in which the Mint used a large assortment of letter and numeral punches as well as dies overdated from earlier years. The Matron Head large cents of 1820 break down into Large Date, Small Date, and 1820/19 overdate types; the dimes of 1820 saw Small 0 and Large 0 variants, as did the quarters; the half dollars included overdates and various styles of 2 in the date; and the half eagles of 1820 were even more complicated, showing not only changes in numeral style of the 2 but Small Letters and Large Letters styles on the reverse.
The mintage of the quarters dated 1820 was smallish at 127,444 coins: Cents, dimes, and half dollars were made in far greater quantities. There are nonetheless five known die marriages for the 1820 quarters, and they include three different 0 punches among them. The Rea-Peterson-Karoleff-Kovach reference notes that "they are described as 'large tall 0,' 'large wide 0' and 'small 0,' yet "the quarter dies all exhibit a curl base 2 on the obverse and a square base 2 for the denomination on the reverse!"
The present example of the B-2 shows a "large tall 0", with an inner point of star 8 quite close to Liberty's cap. On the reverse, die cracks or lines connect the lowest olive leaf to the dentils below.
Given the Plus grade on the present MS65+, this coin has obviously been graded fairly recently, but it nonetheless would top the current Condition Census as published in the reference cited above, which lists two MS65 pieces in the top spots. On this piece complete mint luster radiates from each side over surfaces that show olive and amber hues deepening in intensity around the protected device edges. It takes a loupe to see a few scattered, trivial marks. The strike is a bit soft on the eagle's claws, but the marvelous eye appeal more than compensates. Population: 2 in 65 (1 in 65+), 4 finer (6/12).(Registry values: P4)

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 5329, GSID# 5066)

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
Weight: 6.74 grams
ASW: 0.19338oz

View Certification Details from PCGS