1827/3 25C Restrike PR65 NGC....

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Legendary 1827/3 Quarter Restrike, PR65

1827/3 25C Restrike PR65 NGC. B-2. Incorrect and misleading Information regarding the celebrated 1827/3 quarter has been disseminated to collectors throughout the past century. Even the most rudimentary of specifications such as the mintage of the 1827/3 Original pieces is incorrect. For years it has been repeatedly published that 4,000 quarters were struck bearing the date of 1827. Bust quarter specialist and researcher Karl Moulton has recently offered an in-depth study on this issue to the numismatic community. Among many facts he extracted from years of researching documents in the National Archives is that the 4,000 figure that is suggested as the mintage of 1827 quarters actually represents the first delivery of 1828 B-1 quarters. In stark contrast to the previously accepted mintage of 1827/3 quarters, Moulton concludes in his dissertation on the subject that only "eight or nine" Originals were struck in 1827.
Contemporary documentation unearthed by Moulton helped to unravel the mystery of the 1827/3 quarters to some degree, although it should be known that his research should still be considered theory rather than absolute fact. Extensive examination of auction records and official Mint documentation formed the basis of his conclusion that there were five emissions of 1827/3 quarters:

1) Two Essay pieces, struck over draped bust quarters using a close collar press in 1827.
2) Eight or nine silver Originals that were created in an open collar press in 1827.
3) Nine or 10 silver Restrikes made from rusted dies in an open collar configuration in 1876.
4) Copper Restrikes, struck one year later with the same dies as the third emission. Four or five coins produced.
5) Another batch of silver strikes using rusted dies in an open collar, this time damaged on the obverse. Five or six pieces struck during the 1877 to 1878 timeframe.

The damage to the obverse die that Moulton refers to in his research is simply a light die crack from the juncture of the neck and throat and into the left obverse field. He speculates that this damage occurred after the copper Restrikes were made. If Moulton's reasoning is correct, then the current example offered in this lot is a fifth emission Restrike, thus qualifying it as being technically rarer than the Originals from the second emission. Regardless of the emission sequence, any 1827/3 quarter is a legendary coin that few numismatists will ever have the privilege of owning. The current example has the added distinction of being one of the finest pieces known, although the proof designation given by the grading services is the subject of yet another debate regarding this issue. Technically speaking, the 1827/3 quarters, both Originals and Restrikes, are simply prooflike strikes produced from freshly lapped dies. However, in terms of surface quality, the 1827/3 quarter offered here is a true Gem regardless of strike classification. This brilliantly lustrous piece exhibits beautiful aquamarine toning with slightly deeper cobalt-blue centers and mint-green coloration at the peripheries of both sides. A touch of smoke-gray toning is observed in the right obverse fields above and behind Liberty's head. Census: 3 in 65, 1 finer (8/07).

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 23SA, PCGS# 5374, Greysheet# 5076)

Weight: 6.74 grams

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper

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