LOT #8252 |
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1822 25C 25/50C
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Sold on Aug 2, 1997 for:
$29,900.00
Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder
Description
Shimmering 1822 Blundered Denomination Quarter
1822 25/50C PR 63 or MS 63 Prooflike. Called a proof by Walter Breen, and this is the plate coin in Walter Breen's Encyclopedia Of United States And Colonial Proof Coins 1722- 1977. Similar to the recently offered example of this variety from the Eliasberg Collection, this coin has both proof and mint state characteristics. The fields are fully mirrored on the reverse, including between the vertical shield lines, surrounding the eagle, and any and all surfaces that could be polished by the lucky mint employee chosen to run off a few of these early special strikings. On the obverse, the fields are again well mirrored, however, there is an area in the field extending from the top of Liberty's chest to before her nose which is not mirrored, again, just like the Eliasberg coin, and the same unpolished area can be seen on the photo of the coin from that sale. The portrait of Liberty is full and complete, each nuance of her flowing tresses bold, as is her drapery clasp. Furthermore, the obverse stars are struck in an identical fashion to the Eliasberg coin, the first star is sharp, with full radial lines, the second and third stars struck well on the lower half only, interestingly the tenth star is also sharp on this coin too, while the balance of the stars are flat or partially struck up. The rim has a curious feature, notably on the reverse, wherein it appears the edge was reeded after the coin was struck, which left slightly raised and wavy areas on the knife rim imparted by the collar, these would have been flattened during the striking process under normal conditions.The coin itself is now graced with superlative antique-gray toning, with rose and gold highlights at the periphery. A glass will note trivial hairlines in the fields. Identifiable by a tiny planchet fleck halfway between Liberty's nose and the fifth star, and another hidden in the lowest fold of her drapery midway between the date and the first star.
The blundered denomination was repunched twice, the first erroneous 50 was repunched by a very low 5, then repunched again by an on target 25. The result is a jumble of recuttings, which Breen attributes to the aging Robert Scot, which makes a fine story but it is simply something that one can never know for sure. Breen accurately estimates that 4 to 6 of the "proofs" survived, and rarely does one of these appear in the numismatic marketplace. A foremost rarity in any condition, much less as a specimen or proof striking as seen here, and worthy of the finest quarter collection in the land.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 23S6, PCGS# 5367, Greysheet# 5072)
Weight: 6.74 grams
Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
Auction Info
1997 ANA Signature Sale #175 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
Jul-Aug, 1997
30th-2nd
Wednesday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 356
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