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1852 25C PR65 NGC. Briggs 1-A, Flynn-RPD-001....
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Sold on Aug 26, 2025 for:
$63,000.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
1852 Seated Quarter, PR65
The Only Proof Available to Collectors
Ex: Pittman-Kaufman-Greensboro-Gardner
1852 25C PR65 NGC. Briggs 1-A, Flynn-RPD-001. The 1852 proof
is not only one of the greatest rarities in the Seated quarter
series, but also in the entirety of United States proof coinage.
Only two examples are known, one of which has been unattainable
housed in the American Numismatic Society since 1908, when it was
donated by J.P. Morgan, who had originally acquired it from R.C.H.
Brock. The other piece, pedigreed to the legendary Pittman
Collection, is the only example of this extreme rarity that is
theoretically obtainable, and therefore ranks among the most
sought-after single coins in the entire Seated quarter series.The coin likely originated in the collection of Joseph J. Mickley as part of a six-piece 1852 silver proof set. In W. Elliot Woodward's 1867 sale of Mickley's collection. That set sold intact to William Lilliendahl at $65.00, and is then believed to have passed (possibly through unknown intermediaries) to Richard B. Winsor, who apparently added a cent and half cent to complete the denominations. The complete eight-piece set was sold intact in the Chapman brothers' 1895 sale of the Winsor Collection, where it was described as "Probably unique."
Following the sale of the Winsor Collection, the individual silver and copper coins in the eight-piece set were broken up. In 1953, John Jay Pittman acquired the quarter privately from B. Max Mehl for $50.00, hardly a worthy sum for a coin that was (and still is) unique in private hands. Later, however, in David Akers' May 1998 sale of the Pittman Collection, the coin was recognized as the incredible rarity that it has always been, and realized an impressive $176,000.
In the Pittman catalog, David Akers heralded this piece as "an extraordinary coin with respect to both its extreme rarity and its superb quality." Gorgeous toning in shades of medium intensity reddish-gold and violet, accented with splashes of sky-blue, complement fully struck devices and deliver exceptional eye appeal. The date shows repunching on the 852, a diagnostic of this die pair, and several faint die striations are discernable in the fields upon close examination. Numerous vertical shield lines on the reverse extend upward into the azure and several lines extend below the bottom shield border. A couple of stray, unobtrusive hairlines do not deny the impeccable preservation of the surfaces on each side. The coin is struck mildly off-center toward 12 o'clock on the reverse.
Many proof Seated quarter issues from this period are underappreciated in comparison to their immense rarity, although perhaps none so much as the 1852. It may be a great many years before this only collectible example is again offered publicly. Such an opportunity is almost as rare as the coin itself.
Roster of 1852 Proof Quarters
1. PR65 NGC. Richard B. Winsor Collection (Chapman Brothers, 12/1895), lot 1070, as part of a complete eight-piece proof set, which realized $115.00; acquired privately by John Jay Pittman from B. Max Mehl (4/1953); John Jay Pittman Collection (David Akers, 5/1998), lot 1321; Pre-FUN Elite (Superior Galleries, 1/2004), lot 286; Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Proof Sets, Part Four / ANA Signature (Heritage, 7-8/2008), lot 1823; Greensboro III / Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2013), lot 4222; Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II (Heritage, 10/2014), lot 98396; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2015), lot 5033. The present example.
2. Proof. R.C.H. Brock; J.P. Morgan; American Numismatic Society.
Additional Appearance
A. Proof. Joseph J. Mickley Collection (W. Elliot Woodward, 10/1867), lot 1721, as part of six-piece proof set, to William Lilliendahl at $65.00. Likely the same as Winsor-Pittman above.
From The High Oak Family Collection.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 23WF, PCGS# 5546, Greysheet# 5266)
Weight: 6.68 grams
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
View all of [The High Oak Family Collection ]
Auction Info
2025 August 26 - 31 ANA US Coins Signature® Auction #1385 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 2025
26th-31st
Tuesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 14
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 248
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
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