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1843 25C PR64 NGC....
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Description
Extremely Rare 1843 Seated Liberty Quarter
Ex: Pittman, PR64
1843 25C PR64 NGC. Ex: Pittman. Walter Breen, in his
Encyclopedia (1988), indicates that as many as eight proofs
exist of the 1843 quarter. In the August 3, 1998 Bowers and Merena
The Rarities Sale offering of an NGC PR64 specimen (lot
155), the cataloger states: "For some unrecorded reason, Proof
mintages of silver coins were very low in 1843, considerably
smaller than would be the case for the following year, 1844." We
can account for six specimens today, listed in the roster below,
with one additional appearance labeled A that cannot be definitely
linked to any of the established pedigrees.1. PR66 NGC. 1946 ANA Sale (Numismatic Gallery, 8/1946), lot 442 (unplated); John Jay Pittman Collection (David Akers, 5/1998), lot 1309; Phil Kaufman Collection (Heritage, 7/2008), lot 1808.
2. PR64 NGC. Thomas L. Smith Estate (Stack's, 6/1957), lot 529.
3. PR64 NGC. Dr. Christian A. Allenburger Collection (B. Max Mehl, 3/1948), lot 1015; Floyd T. Starr Collection (Stack's, 10/1992), lot 403; Bowers and Merena (8/1998), lot 155.
4. PR64 NGC. Judge Joseph F. Sawicki (5/1948); John Jay Pittman Collection (David Akers, 10/1997), lot 832 (part of an 1843 proof set). The present coin.
5. Brilliant Proof. European collection; Stoddard Collection; Col. E.H.R. Green in 1932; Will W. Neil Collection (B. Max Mehl MBS, 6/17/1947), lot 2292; Amon G. Carter, Jr. Family Collection (Stack's, 1/1984), lot 630 (part of an 1843 proof set).
6. Proof. Smithsonian Institution.
A. Proof. Davis-Graves (Stack's, 4/1954), lot 354, impaired. Not plated and unlikely to be identified in the future.
This PR64 example comes out of Pittman's 1843 proof set (lot 832 listed in number 4 above). A tiny mark on Liberty's upper right (left facing) shoulder, two more such ticks on Liberty's right breast, a minute toning spot above the eagle's head, and another between the E of AMERICA and the upper part of the left wing, are all distinctly visible on the present coin and on the one in the proof set. The design elements are boldly struck, and yield a strong contrast with the mirrored fields. Both sides are covered in beautiful sky-blue and gold-tan colors that take on a dappled appearance. A few wispy, unobtrusive hairlines in the fields are only visible under high magnification.
Overall, this is an outstanding example of this rare issue, both from the standpoint of technical quality and aesthetic appeal, and one that is pedigreed to a notable numismatist. It was a remarkable feat for John Pittman to have acquired two of the six known specimens for his collection, an accomplishment that will be difficult to duplicate. In any event, the bidder that wins this lot will have obtained one of the most desirable pieces of 19th century American coinage.
From The Joseph C. Thomas Collection. (Registry values: P4)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 23W6, PCGS# 5537, GSID# 5237)
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.68 grams
ASW: 0.19329oz
Mintage: 8
View all of [The Joseph C. Thomas Collection, Part One ]
Auction Info
2009 April-May Cincinnati, OH (CSNS) US Coin Auction #1124 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
Apr-May, 2009
29th-3rd
Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,339
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.
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