1825 $2 1/2 BD-3, High R.6, AU53 PCGS....

Description

1825 BD-3 Quarter Eagle, AU53
Once Called a Proof

1825 $2 1/2 BD-3, High R.6, AU53 PCGS. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a. The obverse die is seen on 1825 BD-2 and 1825 BD-3 quarter eagles, In addition to these 1825 BD-3 quarter eagles, the reverse die was used for all 1826 and 1827 quarter eagles. There are three die varieties known for 1825 quarter eagles with a total estimated population of 104 to 130 pieces, according to Bass-Dannreuther, mostly of the BD-2 die marriage.

This coin was graded Proof-55 in the Eliasberg catalog although it is no longer considered a proof. In his 2018 proof coinage reference, Dannreuther writes: "There are three varieties for 1825, but only a single variety was struck in Proof with the example reportedly struck from a different variety now discredited." This piece is recorded as the fourth finest of just 10 examples listed in our census below. We are retaining the High R.6 rating even though a census of 10 examples equates to Low R.7, as there may be a few more examples that are currently unknown to us.

PCGS assigns a numerical grade to this piece that has been cleaned with an identifying mark below star 4. A small obverse rim nick is evident at 5:30. Both sides exhibit light yellow gold with coppery toning that outlines the devices. The strike is excellent and the surfaces are slightly reflective.
Ex: Elmer S. Sears (4/1926); John H. Clapp Collection; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Eliasberg Estate (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 92.

Roster of 1825 BD-3 Quarter Eagles
1. MS61 PCGS. Rare Coin Auction: Part I, United States Gold Coins (Superior, 2/1973), lot 110, realized $3,300; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation.
2. MS61 PCGS. David S. Wilson Collection (S.H. Chapman, 3/1907), lot 167, realized $26; John Work Garrett; Johns Hopkins University (Bowers and Ruddy, 3/1980), lot 745, realized $19,000; ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/1997), lot 7463, realized $10,063; Stack's (10/1998), lot 1384; Stack's (10/2000), lot 1652; Stack's (3/2002), lot 1021, realized $16,100; Dr. James A. Ferrendelli Collection (Stack's Bowers, 8/2014), lot 11021, realized $32,900.
3. AU55 PCGS. Straus Collection (Stack's, 5/1959), lot 2285; ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/1996), lot 8143, realized $4,950; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 2/2007) lot 4282, realized $18,400; Superior (8/2007), lot 656.
4. AU53 PCGS. Elmer S. Sears (4/1926); John H. Clapp; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Eliasberg Estate (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 92; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation; Bass Sylloge HBCC-3023; The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part IV (Heritage, 8/2023), lot 9009. This coin was listed as a Proof in Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins. The present example.
5. AU50. Bowers and Merena (3/1987), lot 27, realized $6,160.
6. AU50. Auction '83 (Stack's, 7/1983), lot 778, realized $8,800.
7. XF40 PCGS. Fairfield Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1977), lot 1452, realized $3,800; Stack's (12/1986), lot 863, realized $4,840; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 2/2016), lot 3353, realized $15,275; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2017), lot 4205, realized $15,275.
8. XF40. Ebsen Collection (Superior Galleries, 5/1987), lot 2266, realized $6,600.
9. XF40. Bowers and Ruddy (3/1982), lot 2341, realized $4,500.
10. VF30 Retooled. DeSylva Collection (Superior Galleries, 2/1978), lot 646, realized $2,700; Bowers and Merena (11/1983), lot 4143, realized $1,760; Bowers and Merena (3/1985), lot 11, realized $2,860.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 45520, Base PCGS# 7664, Greysheet# 198917)

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.

View Certification Details from PCGS