1822 25C 25/50C PR65 PCGS. CAC. B-2, R.8 as a proof....

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1822 Capped Bust Quarter, PR65
25/50 C, B-2, Only Three Examples Known
Possibly Finest Known, Ex: David Akers

1822 25C 25/50C PR65 PCGS. CAC. B-2, R.8 as a proof. One obverse and two reverse dies were used to coin all the quarters struck in 1822. This delightful proof Capped Bust quarter represents the rare B-2 variety, struck from the famous "Blundered Reverse" die of 1822, with the 25 in the denomination struck over an undertype 50. Based on the size and number of dentils, the number punches in the denomination, which match the set used before 1819, and other die evidence, early quarter specialist Steve Tompkins believes the reverse die was actually engraved in 1818 and not used until 1822. The same reverse was used again in 1828 to strike the B-3 variety. Even business-strike examples of the 1822 B-2 quarter are elusive, and proofs are extremely rare.

Walter Breen believed that Virgil Brand had a small hoard of these coins and speculated that as many as six pieces might be extant, but he was counting coins like the Eliasberg and R.L. Miles specimens, which later numismatists believe to be prooflike business-strikes. David Akers, who owned the present coin for a number of years, stated that only two proof examples of the B-2 were known to him, but he did not list the Smithsonian example in his census. PCGS has graded two coins, both in PR65 and estimates a surviving population of just three specimens, which would account for the uncertified Smithsonian example. NGC has never certified a proof B-2 (12/13). A slightly larger number of proof B-1 quarters have been certified, but they are very rare as well. We have listed all the 1822 B-2 proof quarters we are aware of in the roster below.

The present coin is a stunning Gem proof, probably the finest known example of this extremely rare issue. The fields are deeply mirrored under a dazzling patina of cerulean-blue and champagne-gold, and the well-preserved surfaces reveal no mentionable flaws. The design elements are sharply detailed in most areas, but just a touch of the typical flatness is seen on some star centers. Eye appeal is tremendous. This offering represents an important opportunity for the advanced collector, one that may not recur for decades.

Roster of Proof 1822 B-2 Capped Bust Quarters
1. PR65 PCGS. Virgil Brand; James A. Stack Collection (Stack's, 3/1975), lot 21; Somerset Collection (Bowers and Merena, 5/1992), lot 1171; David and Sharron Akers; the present coin.
2. Proof. John Colvin Randall Collection (W. Elliot Woodward, 6/1885), lot 570; T. Harrison Garrett; Robert Garrett; John Work Garrett; Johns Hopkins University; Garrett Collection, Part II (Bowers and Ruddy, 3/1980), lot 636.
3. Proof. Mint Cabinet; Smithsonian Institution.
From The David & Sharron Akers Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 23S6, PCGS# 5367, Greysheet# 5072)

Weight: 6.74 grams

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper

View all of [The David & Sharron Akers Collection ]

View Certification Details from PCGS