1926-D 25C MS66+ Full Head PCGS. CAC....

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1926-D Quarter, MS66+ Full Head
Famous Full Head Rarity and Condition Key
Beautiful Original Toning

1926-D 25C MS66+ Full Head PCGS. CAC. Ex: Simpson. Although not quite the rarest Standing Liberty quarter with Full Head sharpness, the 1926-D is certainly the most famous weak strike in the series. Despite being relatively common in grades through MS65 -- due in part to the survival of bank rolls years after the issue's release -- the vast majority of 1926-D quarters are profoundly weak on Liberty's head, the date area, the shield, and, of course, the eagle's breast and left (facing) wing. In the fourth edition of his pioneering reference on the series, Standing Liberty Quarters, J.H. Cline considered Full Head 1926-D quarters to be rarer than non-Full Head pieces by a ratio of 1 to 150. He related that, "An original roll surfaced in the Midwest in 1984 and not a single piece was a Full Head."

One of the earliest collectors to specifically acquire Full Head Standing Liberty quarters was Farish Baldenhofer, whose collection was sold by Stack's in November 1955. But the rarity of certain coins with Full Head detail -- including that of the 1926-D -- did not become widespread knowledge until about a decade later. One of the earliest known offerings of a 1926-D quarter described as a Full Head was in the Samuel W. Wolfson Collection (Stack's, 5/1963). The piece was described:

"1926 'D' Brilliant Uncirculated. Full head. Much rarer than catalog shows especially struck so well."

The coin realized $28.00 -- more than three times the average value of a normal Uncirculated piece at the time.

Just a few years later, another Full Head specimen appeared in the R.L. Miles, Jr. Collection (Stack's, 4/1969), described in lot 1122:

"1926 'D' Brilliant Uncirculated. Full head. Rarely seen this sharp. Should attract considerable bidding."

That lot garnered $145.00, more than five times the value of a non-Full Head piece at the time.

Today, the 1926-D is one of the premier rarities in the series with Full Head sharpness, and auction appearances of high-grade pieces are historic events. It has been a few years since we last handled a Full Head 1926-D, and the last such coin we saw in MS66 was in our October 2016 Dallas Signature, where a PCGS MS66 Full Head coin realized $88,125.

The Simpson coin is the first Plus-designated Full Head piece in this grade that we have seen. Luster is softly frosted and original, yielding ivory color overall with multicolor accents around the peripheries and through Liberty's upper torso and shield. The surfaces are beautifully preserved, devoid of even minor abrasions. The hallmark of this piece, though, is the incredibly sharp head detail -- far sharper than some of the "Full Head" pieces certified which are arguably weak at the temple. The Simpson coin is an absolute Full Head, the sharpest imaginable. The shield rivets are also much better defined than usual, though not quite full, and the leading edge of the eagle's left (facing) wing is strong. Strike weakness still affects Liberty's toes and the right hand reverse border stars, as expected. Registry collectors who have long waited for an exceptional Full Head 1926-D to come on the market have finally reached the end of the road with this piece ... if it can be won at auction. Population: 14 in 66 (3 in 66+) Full Head, 1 finer. CAC: 3 in 66, 0 finer (7/21).(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 243S, PCGS# 5757, Greysheet# 5592)

Weight: 6.25 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

View all of [The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part VI ]

View Certification Details from PCGS