1824/1 $2 1/2 MS61 PCGS. BD-1, R.5....

Description

'1824/1' Quarter Eagle, BD-1, MS61
Overdated Obverse/Leftover Reverse Dies

1824/1 $2 1/2 MS61 PCGS. BD-1, R.5. As with so many other early quarter eagle issues, only a single die pair was needed for the meager production of 1824 quarter eagles, a reported 2,600 coins. In fact, no new dies at all were needed for the 1824 issue. No quarter eagles were recorded to have been struck in 1822 or 1823, so for 1824, the Mint personnel overdated a leftover 1821 obverse die (one that was unused in 1821) with a 4 and reused the same (previously used) reverse die as in 1821. Serviceable dies were still a scarce commodity at this stage of Mint history, and, as John Dannreuther points out, "even with the 1824/1 strikings included, the reverse die had been used for only a little over 9,000 coins, up to that point." (The 1821 quarter eagle mintage is given as 6,448 examples.)

The 1824 quarter eagles are technically all "1824/1" overdates, but the overdate feature faded as more coins were struck, and it is scarcely visible on the present piece. See the Harry Bass Foundation example, which shows the overdate feature prominently (and is a piece that Bass and Michael Brownlee, and later John Dannreuther, considered/consider a one-sided proof).

The last two digits in the date are more closely spaced than the first two, and star 1 points to the center of a dentil; star 6 points to the top border of the headband. Stars 1 and 13 are equidistant from the bust. On the reverse, the reused die shows the fraction widely spaced, the numerator high and the denominator low.

This MS61 PCGS-graded piece is strictly Mint State but shows a few scattered abrasions and planchet roughness, largely on the portrait. On the reverse, strike weakness is confined to the same area as on the Bass coin: the left (facing) shield border, the left wing adjacent, and the left claw, less so but still moderately on the right claw. A few thin, wispy marks appear on the reverse but are in keeping with the grade. The softly lustrous surfaces are medium yellow-gold and retain ample eye appeal. Population: 6 in 61, 4 finer (5/13).(Registry values: P6)

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 7663, Greysheet# 8254)

Weight: 4.37 grams

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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