1829 $2 1/2--Improperly Cleaned--NCS. Unc Details....

Description

Rare 1829 Kneass Quarter Eagle

1829 $2 1/2 --Improperly Cleaned--NCS. Unc Details. Ex: Garrett Collection. Bass-3026, Breen-6132, R.4. The plate coin in Akers' book on quarter eagles.
Mint Engraver Robert Scot passed away in 1823 and the Philadelphia Mint hired William Kneass as his successor. The Mint was using new coining equipment which employed a closed collar. In effect, a large block of steel was used to hold the planchet in place during striking, with a central hole the exact diameter of the coin. The coin could not expand outward, held in check by the steel block containing it, and thus mathematical precision in diameters was achieved. The process created a high rim which protected the central design elements from wear more so than their predecessors. Kneass's modified Capped Head has a more finished and put together look than the prior design by Scot, and smaller stars and letters were used starting in 1829 with these punches by Christian Gobrecht.
Mintages for each year were similar, although the 1829 happens to be the lowest mintage with 3,403 struck. The vast majority of these were melted or lost, and today perhaps 100 are known in all grades. This example is sharply struck with all of the obverse and reverse design elements nicely detailed, save for the central design detail that is somewhat weak due, in part, to diagonal adjustment marks at that location on the reverse. At the time it was struck, this was a wonderful prooflike example, although prominent cleaning lines have somewhat obscured the reflectivity in the fields. The surfaces retain excellent luster with rich greenish yellow-gold color.
Ex: W. Elliot Woodward's 58th Sale; Garrett Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 3/80), lot 748; purchased from Abner Kreisberg Corporation on September 17, 1980 along with the 1827 quarter eagle for $30,000 for the pair.
From The Beverly Hills Collection.(#7669) (Registry values: P4)

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 7669, GSID# 8226)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 4.37 grams
AGW: 0.1288oz
Mintage: 3,403

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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