1825 $2 1/2 BD-2, High R.4, MS63 PCGS....

Description

1825 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle, MS63
Recut 5, Distant Fraction, BD-2 Variety

1825 $2 1/2 BD-2, High R.4, MS63 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a, no clashing, no lapping, no cracks. According to the 2025 Guide Book, the Philadelphia Mint struck a modest mintage of 4,434 Capped Bust Right quarter eagles in 1825, a small production in absolute terms, but about average in the context of the series. Three die varieties have been identified for the date. This coin represents the BD-2 variety, with a recut 5 in the date and the numerals in the fraction placed far from the bar on the reverse. The BD-2 is the most available variety for the issue, but it is still very scarce, with a surviving population of 80-100 examples in all grades. The BD-2 dies probably accounted for 2,000 to 3,000 pieces of the reported mintage. The obverse die was used again on the 1825 BD-3 variety and the hardy reverse was used previously to strike all the quarter eagles in 1821, 1824, and the 1825 BD-1 variety. The reverse die must have finally failed in this usage, showing terminal die cracks in the later die state.

The 1825 Capped Bust Right quarter eagle has been popular with collectors since the earliest days of the hobby. An early auction appearance was lot 2800 of the Sixth Semi-Annual Sale (W. Elliot Woodward, 3/1865):

"1825 Splendid, a proof impression, rare in this condition."

Chances are the coin in Woodward's auction was a prooflike business-strike, as proofs are extremely rare. It realized $5.00 to J.O. Emery, a reasonable price at the time. Collector demand for early gold issues has increased exponentially in recent years and prices realized have followed suit. It has been more than two decades since an MS63 example has been publicly offered, but the MS63+ Prooflike NGC example in lot 5249 of the Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2015) realized $64,625.

The present coin is a spectacular Select specimen from the celebrated Bruce S. Sherman Collection that would probably rank in the lower Condition Census for the issue. The design elements are sharply detailed throughout and the lightly marked antique-gold surfaces show a mix of satiny mint luster and prooflike reflectivity in the fields. Overall eye appeal is outstanding. Housed in a Generation 3.1 green label holder. Population (all varieties): 5 in 63, 5 finer (11/24).
From The Bruce S. Sherman Collection, Part I.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 45519, Base PCGS# 7664, GSID# 198916)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 4.37 grams
AGW: 0.1288oz
Mintage: 4,434

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.

View all of [The Bruce S. Sherman Collection, Part I ]

View Certification Details from PCGS