1916 25C MS67 Full Head PCGS. CAC....

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1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, Incredible MS67 Full Head
Among the Finest Known of This Legendary Issue

1916 25C MS67 Full Head PCGS. CAC. Few issues demonstrate the deleterious effect of political aspiration on coinage history better than the Type One Standing Liberty quarter. Pursuant to the Mint Act of September 26, 1890, the federal government began to take action in the mid-1910s with the desire to replace Charles E. Barber's quarter design. Following an open competition, the Treasury Department approved Hermon Atkins MacNeil's design on December 28, 1915. The usual refinement period, exacerbated by Barber's notorious lack of cooperation, chewed up the majority of the following year. Although the Philadelphia and Denver mints had coined more than 8 million 1916-dated Barber quarters, the parent facility was apparently impressed enough with MacNeil's Standing Liberty motif to begin production as rapidly as possible. Accordingly, Mint employees coined a mere 52,000 1916 Standing Liberty quarters between December 16 and 31. Another 12,201,200 pieces followed from all three mints in the first half of 1917.
As the first year of the design and one of only four Type One deliveries, the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter is the most important issue in the entire series. With only 52,000 pieces struck, this P-mint quarter is also among the premier rarities of 20th century coinage. Since curious citizens were content to set aside examples of the numerous 1917-dated quarters, many of the 1916 pieces probably perished in the avenues of commerce. Nevertheless, enough of the coins were saved to provide average Mint State specimens for advanced collectors. On the other hand, deep pockets alone will not secure a Superb Gem representative. As NGC and PCGS combined report only 7 examples in MS67 Full Head with none finer (6/10), the acquisition of one of these specimens is also a matter of being in the right place at the right time. For Standing Liberty quarter specialists who demand the best for their collections, we call attention to the fleeting opportunity that this lovely coin represents.
Undeniably original, the surfaces display a decided blue-gray cast that deepens to gold and orange-russet hues over most of the obverse. These deeper colors are largely confined to the upper and right peripheries on the reverse. As befits the grade, both sides are devoid of detracting abrasions and temptingly close to numismatic perfection. The otherwise bold strike wanes slightly over the shield, although Liberty's head displays pleasing delineation throughout. A rich endowment of mint luster further enhances the aesthetic allure as well as the technical superiority. Needless to say, only the most carefully considered bid will secure this numismatic treasure for the finest collection of Standing Liberty quarters.
Ex: PCGS Registry "East Coast Collector," The Finest Known Set of Standing Liberty Quarters; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2000), lot 6689, where it brought $77,500.
From The Dr. Brandon Smith Collection.(Registry values: N10218)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 242Y, PCGS# 5705, GSID# 5534)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.25 grams
ASW: 0.18085oz
Mintage: 52,000

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