hykyrone 的钱币相册
Borckardt Variety 6, R2. Obverse - low date with 5 left of curl, LIBERTY shows signs of re-punching. Reverse - A M widely spaced with A close to wing.
Borckardt Variety 6, R2. Obverse - low date with 5 left of curl, LIBERTY shows signs of re-punching. Reverse - A M widely spaced with A close to wing.
"Perfect" obverse - an early strike without the bisecting obverse crack, with full radial lines on the stars, and strong leaf/berry stems on the reverse. It also shows doubling of the legend "D STATES OF" and the left wingtip, which is also seen on PCGS MS64 SN 46092970, although not mentioned in books relevant to the date. Fields are somewhat proof-like. The reverse is rotated 10-15 degrees clock-wise from the normal position.
"Perfect" obverse - an early strike without the bisecting obverse crack, with full radial lines on the stars, and strong leaf/berry stems on the reverse. It also shows doubling of the legend "D STATES OF" and the left wingtip, which is also seen on PCGS MS64 SN 46092970, although not mentioned in books relevant to the date. Fields are somewhat proof-like. The reverse is rotated 10-15 degrees clock-wise from the normal position.
"Perfect" obverse - an early strike without the bisecting obverse crack, with full radial lines on the stars, and strong leaf/berry stems on the reverse. It also shows doubling of the legend "D STATES OF" and the left wingtip, which is also seen on PCGS MS64 SN 46092970, although not mentioned in books relevant to the date. Fields are somewhat proof-like. The reverse is rotated 10-15 degrees clock-wise from the normal position.
"Perfect" obverse - an early strike without the bisecting obverse crack, with full radial lines on the stars, and strong leaf/berry stems on the reverse. It also shows doubling of the legend "D STATES OF" and the left wingtip, which is also seen on PCGS MS64 SN 46092970, although not mentioned in books relevant to the date. Fields are somewhat proof-like. The reverse is rotated 10-15 degrees clock-wise from the normal position.
Borckardt variety 28, Winter variety 2-B. This is the scarcer of the two varieties known (1/3 of population per Borckardt). Obverse - Low date, 9 closer to rim than curl, 3 and 9 show signs of re-punching, mint mark is left of center of 3. Many of the stars show signs of having been re-cut. Reverse - Medalic alignment, 1 and 2 touch fraction bar, berry is present but disconnected from branch, misshapen arrow heads. Later die state showing die crack running from rim at N in UNITED to rim at R in AMERICA. Also a light die crack is seen at right wing tip to the back of the eagle's head. Some of the vertical shield lines extend up into the horizontal lines, they also extend below the shield into the arrow fletching. The coin is very bright (signs of conservation / dipping) with luster limited to the protected areas (stars and legend). Very hard to photograph. The photos, both mine and PCGS's, don't do the coin justice.
Borckardt variety 28, Winter variety 2-B. This is the scarcer of the two varieties known (1/3 of population per Borckardt). Obverse - Low date, 9 closer to rim than curl, 3 and 9 show signs of re-punching, mint mark is left of center of 3. Many of the stars show signs of having been re-cut. Reverse - Medalic alignment, 1 and 2 touch fraction bar, berry is present but disconnected from branch, misshapen arrow heads. Later die state showing die crack running from rim at N in UNITED to rim at R in AMERICA. Also a light die crack is seen at right wing tip to the back of the eagle's head. Some of the vertical shield lines extend up into the horizontal lines, they also extend below the shield into the arrow fletching. The coin is very bright (signs of conservation / dipping) with luster limited to the protected areas (stars and legend). Very hard to photograph. The photos, both mine and PCGS's, don't do the coin justice.
Borckardt variety 28, Winter variety 2-B. This is the scarcer of the two varieties known (1/3 of population per Borckardt). Obverse - Low date, 9 closer to rim than curl, 3 and 9 show signs of re-punching, mint mark is left of center of 3. Many of the stars show signs of having been re-cut. Reverse - Medalic alignment, 1 and 2 touch fraction bar, berry is present but disconnected from branch, misshapen arrow heads. Later die state showing die crack running from rim at N in UNITED to rim at R in AMERICA. Also a light die crack is seen at right wing tip to the back of the eagle's head. Some of the vertical shield lines extend up into the horizontal lines, they also extend below the shield into the arrow fletching. The coin is very bright (signs of conservation / dipping) with luster limited to the protected areas (stars and legend). Very hard to photograph. The photos, both mine and PCGS's, don't do the coin justice.
Borckardt variety 28, Winter variety 2-B. This is the scarcer of the two varieties known (1/3 of population per Borckardt). Obverse - Low date, 9 closer to rim than curl, 3 and 9 show signs of re-punching, mint mark is left of center of 3. Many of the stars show signs of having been re-cut. Reverse - Medalic alignment, 1 and 2 touch fraction bar, berry is present but disconnected from branch, misshapen arrow heads. Later die state showing die crack running from rim at N in UNITED to rim at R in AMERICA. Also a light die crack is seen at right wing tip to the back of the eagle's head. Some of the vertical shield lines extend up into the horizontal lines, they also extend below the shield into the arrow fletching. The coin is very bright (signs of conservation / dipping) with luster limited to the protected areas (stars and legend). Very hard to photograph. The photos, both mine and PCGS's, don't do the coin justice.
Borckardt variety 28, Winter variety 2-B. This is the scarcer of the two varieties known (1/3 of population per Borckardt). Obverse - Low date, 9 closer to rim than curl, 3 and 9 show signs of re-punching, mint mark is left of center of 3. Many of the stars show signs of having been re-cut. Reverse - Medalic alignment, 1 and 2 touch fraction bar, berry is present but disconnected from branch, misshapen arrow heads. Later die state showing die crack running from rim at N in UNITED to rim at R in AMERICA. Also a light die crack is seen at right wing tip to the back of the eagle's head. Some of the vertical shield lines extend up into the horizontal lines, they also extend below the shield into the arrow fletching. The coin is very bright (signs of conservation / dipping) with luster limited to the protected areas (stars and legend). Very hard to photograph. The photos, both mine and PCGS's, don't do the coin justice.
Per the "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" by Garrett and Guth, "The year 1840 is the first year of issue for the Liberty Head quarter eagle design by Christian Gobrecht. Today this date is quite popular for that reason. Surprisingly, these coins were not saved in significant quantities at the time of issue... Most coins seen are poorly struck in the center, with light die breaks sometimes encountered." The strike is also noted by David Akers in his "United States Gold Coins - An Analysis Of Auction Records - Volume II - Quarter Eagles". He states, "Always flatly struck on the head of Liberty, the stars, and on the eagle. Much more rare than the standard references and even the low mintage would indicate, particularly in grades above EF... Very underrated." Walter Breen's monograph "New Varieties Of $1, $2.50 and $5.00 United States Gold", suggests the "Broken die state is very rare." What has not been detailed by any of the authors is that the "broken die state" reverse coins also have a different obverse. The date is in a slightly different location (the 1 is left of center of a dentil versus right) and the 18 is thicker than the normal date. Also the 40 in the date is re-punched with the initial punch high and corrected lower. This can be seen between the crosslet and serif in the 4 and in the lower portion of the 0. Reference, PCGS s/n 83921274 (MS63+) and 37305318 (MS62).
Per the "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" by Garrett and Guth, "The year 1840 is the first year of issue for the Liberty Head quarter eagle design by Christian Gobrecht. Today this date is quite popular for that reason. Surprisingly, these coins were not saved in significant quantities at the time of issue... Most coins seen are poorly struck in the center, with light die breaks sometimes encountered." The strike is also noted by David Akers in his "United States Gold Coins - An Analysis Of Auction Records - Volume II - Quarter Eagles". He states, "Always flatly struck on the head of Liberty, the stars, and on the eagle. Much more rare than the standard references and even the low mintage would indicate, particularly in grades above EF... Very underrated." Walter Breen's monograph "New Varieties Of $1, $2.50 and $5.00 United States Gold", suggests the "Broken die state is very rare." What has not been detailed by any of the authors is that the "broken die state" reverse coins also have a different obverse. The date is in a slightly different location (the 1 is left of center of a dentil versus right) and the 18 is thicker than the normal date. Also the 40 in the date is re-punched with the initial punch high and corrected lower. This can be seen between the crosslet and serif in the 4 and in the lower portion of the 0. Reference, PCGS s/n 83921274 (MS63+) and 37305318 (MS62).
Per the "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" by Garrett and Guth, "The year 1840 is the first year of issue for the Liberty Head quarter eagle design by Christian Gobrecht. Today this date is quite popular for that reason. Surprisingly, these coins were not saved in significant quantities at the time of issue... Most coins seen are poorly struck in the center, with light die breaks sometimes encountered." The strike is also noted by David Akers in his "United States Gold Coins - An Analysis Of Auction Records - Volume II - Quarter Eagles". He states, "Always flatly struck on the head of Liberty, the stars, and on the eagle. Much more rare than the standard references and even the low mintage would indicate, particularly in grades above EF... Very underrated." Walter Breen's monograph "New Varieties Of $1, $2.50 and $5.00 United States Gold", suggests the "Broken die state is very rare." What has not been detailed by any of the authors is that the "broken die state" reverse coins also have a different obverse. The date is in a slightly different location (the 1 is left of center of a dentil versus right) and the 18 is thicker than the normal date. Also the 40 in the date is re-punched with the initial punch high and corrected lower. This can be seen between the crosslet and serif in the 4 and in the lower portion of the 0. Reference, PCGS s/n 83921274 (MS63+) and 37305318 (MS62).
Per the "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" by Garrett and Guth, "The year 1840 is the first year of issue for the Liberty Head quarter eagle design by Christian Gobrecht. Today this date is quite popular for that reason. Surprisingly, these coins were not saved in significant quantities at the time of issue... Most coins seen are poorly struck in the center, with light die breaks sometimes encountered." The strike is also noted by David Akers in his "United States Gold Coins - An Analysis Of Auction Records - Volume II - Quarter Eagles". He states, "Always flatly struck on the head of Liberty, the stars, and on the eagle. Much more rare than the standard references and even the low mintage would indicate, particularly in grades above EF... Very underrated." Walter Breen's monograph "New Varieties Of $1, $2.50 and $5.00 United States Gold", suggests the "Broken die state is very rare." What has not been detailed by any of the authors is that the "broken die state" reverse coins also have a different obverse. The date is in a slightly different location (the 1 is left of center of a dentil versus right) and the 18 is thicker than the normal date. Also the 40 in the date is re-punched with the initial punch high and corrected lower. This can be seen between the crosslet and serif in the 4 and in the lower portion of the 0. Reference, PCGS s/n 83921274 (MS63+) and 37305318 (MS62).
Rare (50-60 known per PCGS). As Garrett and Guth state in their "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "As the tiny mintage suggests, the 1842 Liberty Head quarter eagle is a major rarity in any grade...A review of other auction records reveals that this date is seldom offered for sale in any grade... The 1842 quarter eagle is still very rare, much more so than many of the more popular Southern mint issues." David Akers' "An Analysis Of Auction Records - Volume II - Quarter Eagles" his average grade at the time (1975) was VF29.
Rare (50-60 known per PCGS). As Garrett and Guth state in their "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "As the tiny mintage suggests, the 1842 Liberty Head quarter eagle is a major rarity in any grade...A review of other auction records reveals that this date is seldom offered for sale in any grade... The 1842 quarter eagle is still very rare, much more so than many of the more popular Southern mint issues." David Akers' "An Analysis Of Auction Records - Volume II - Quarter Eagles" his average grade at the time (1975) was VF29.
"This date is similar to that of the 1847 quarter eagle in that most representatives are found in low grade, with Mint State coins being quite rare.... In higher grades, examples are sometimes seen with prooflike or striated surfaces." per Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933". This coin exhibits die stria on the reverse fields. There are also die file marks evident below the date and at the right facing wing.
"This date is similar to that of the 1847 quarter eagle in that most representatives are found in low grade, with Mint State coins being quite rare.... In higher grades, examples are sometimes seen with prooflike or striated surfaces." per Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933". This coin exhibits die stria on the reverse fields. There are also die file marks evident below the date and at the right facing wing.
"This date is similar to that of the 1847 quarter eagle in that most representatives are found in low grade, with Mint State coins being quite rare.... In higher grades, examples are sometimes seen with prooflike or striated surfaces." per Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933". This coin exhibits die stria on the reverse fields. There are also die file marks evident below the date and at the right facing wing.
Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins" indicate, "The 1855 quarter eagle is seen much less often than the Philadelphia quarter eagles from 1851 to 1854... This date is generally well struck, with the exception of weakness on the eagle's left leg." Minor die clash at Eagle's right facing shoulder and left facing wing near the beak.
Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins" indicate, "The 1855 quarter eagle is seen much less often than the Philadelphia quarter eagles from 1851 to 1854... This date is generally well struck, with the exception of weakness on the eagle's left leg." Minor die clash at Eagle's right facing shoulder and left facing wing near the beak.
Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins" indicate, "The 1855 quarter eagle is seen much less often than the Philadelphia quarter eagles from 1851 to 1854... This date is generally well struck, with the exception of weakness on the eagle's left leg." Minor die clash at Eagle's right facing shoulder and left facing wing near the beak.
Per Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "The size of the date on 1856 quarter eagles is much smaller than on previous issues from the Philadelphia Mint. Like the 1855 quarter eagle, the 1856 is unremarkable in circulated condition but becomes quite scarce in higher grades. Choice and gem examples are far rarer than later dates for this denomination... This date is usually well struck, and examples with moderate die scratches are sometimes seen." This coin does not show any die scratches but does have a small die rust spot at the jaw/neck. This appears to be common as the photo in Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia" of the Smithsonian coin shows the same spot.
Per Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "The size of the date on 1856 quarter eagles is much smaller than on previous issues from the Philadelphia Mint. Like the 1855 quarter eagle, the 1856 is unremarkable in circulated condition but becomes quite scarce in higher grades. Choice and gem examples are far rarer than later dates for this denomination... This date is usually well struck, and examples with moderate die scratches are sometimes seen." This coin does not show any die scratches but does have a small die rust spot at the jaw/neck. This appears to be common as the photo in Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia" of the Smithsonian coin shows the same spot.
Garrett and Guth state in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "The 1861-S quarter eagle is another issue with a moderately low mintage that was heavily circulated and has few survivors. This date is usually seen heavily worn and becomes increasingly rare in higher grades... The 1861-S quarter eagle does not garner much attention, but can be extremely difficult to locate in any grade." "Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. And Colonial Coins" asserts, "'Type 1' rev. Very scarce. One obv. shipped Nov. 1860, one June 1861: leftover revs. from 1856. Much rarer in all grades than mintage figure suggests; usually weak VF, Ex. rare in EF, unknown UNC." Since his book was published in 1988, as many as 11 uncirculated coins may exist although PCGS suggests only 4 in MS60 and above. I have found 3 distinct reverse dies were used, identified by the location of the mint mark. The first has the mint mark slanted right with the lower serif of the S almost touching the fraction bar (see PCGS website MS62+ photo). The second is more upright and positioned above the upper serif of the D (see PCGS website AU58 photos). The third has the mint mark positioned left between the 1 in the fraction and the fraction bar (see NGC website sn 3516516-010 AU55)(This appears to be the rarest of the three and its the best photo I could find - sorry). This coin has the upright mint mark above the D upper serif. There is also a contact mark (point) between stars 7 and 8. Pedigree: Maurice Storck Collection (2020)
Garrett and Guth state in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "The 1861-S quarter eagle is another issue with a moderately low mintage that was heavily circulated and has few survivors. This date is usually seen heavily worn and becomes increasingly rare in higher grades... The 1861-S quarter eagle does not garner much attention, but can be extremely difficult to locate in any grade." "Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. And Colonial Coins" asserts, "'Type 1' rev. Very scarce. One obv. shipped Nov. 1860, one June 1861: leftover revs. from 1856. Much rarer in all grades than mintage figure suggests; usually weak VF, Ex. rare in EF, unknown UNC." Since his book was published in 1988, as many as 11 uncirculated coins may exist although PCGS suggests only 4 in MS60 and above. I have found 3 distinct reverse dies were used, identified by the location of the mint mark. The first has the mint mark slanted right with the lower serif of the S almost touching the fraction bar (see PCGS website MS62+ photo). The second is more upright and positioned above the upper serif of the D (see PCGS website AU58 photos). The third has the mint mark positioned left between the 1 in the fraction and the fraction bar (see NGC website sn 3516516-010 AU55)(This appears to be the rarest of the three and its the best photo I could find - sorry). This coin has the upright mint mark above the D upper serif. There is also a contact mark (point) between stars 7 and 8. Pedigree: Maurice Storck Collection (2020)
Garrett and Guth state in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "The 1861-S quarter eagle is another issue with a moderately low mintage that was heavily circulated and has few survivors. This date is usually seen heavily worn and becomes increasingly rare in higher grades... The 1861-S quarter eagle does not garner much attention, but can be extremely difficult to locate in any grade." "Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. And Colonial Coins" asserts, "'Type 1' rev. Very scarce. One obv. shipped Nov. 1860, one June 1861: leftover revs. from 1856. Much rarer in all grades than mintage figure suggests; usually weak VF, Ex. rare in EF, unknown UNC." Since his book was published in 1988, as many as 11 uncirculated coins may exist although PCGS suggests only 4 in MS60 and above. I have found 3 distinct reverse dies were used, identified by the location of the mint mark. The first has the mint mark slanted right with the lower serif of the S almost touching the fraction bar (see PCGS website MS62+ photo). The second is more upright and positioned above the upper serif of the D (see PCGS website AU58 photos). The third has the mint mark positioned left between the 1 in the fraction and the fraction bar (see NGC website sn 3516516-010 AU55)(This appears to be the rarest of the three and its the best photo I could find - sorry). This coin has the upright mint mark above the D upper serif. There is also a contact mark (point) between stars 7 and 8. Pedigree: Maurice Storck Collection (2020)
Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" state, "The mintage of the 1862 quarter eagle dropped considerably at the Philadelphia Mint from the previous year. Even with a rather substantial production of nearly 100,000 coins, this date is scarce in all grades. The 1862 quarter eagle is many, many times rarer than the 1861. Gold coinage after the start of the Civil War did not circulate with regularity, and many great rarities were produced during this era. Most of the examples seen of this date are well struck, some with die clashes visible on one or both sides." Subtle die clashing on this coin can be seen with the aid of a loupe.
Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" state, "The mintage of the 1862 quarter eagle dropped considerably at the Philadelphia Mint from the previous year. Even with a rather substantial production of nearly 100,000 coins, this date is scarce in all grades. The 1862 quarter eagle is many, many times rarer than the 1861. Gold coinage after the start of the Civil War did not circulate with regularity, and many great rarities were produced during this era. Most of the examples seen of this date are well struck, some with die clashes visible on one or both sides." Subtle die clashing on this coin can be seen with the aid of a loupe.
Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" state, "The mintage of the 1862 quarter eagle dropped considerably at the Philadelphia Mint from the previous year. Even with a rather substantial production of nearly 100,000 coins, this date is scarce in all grades. The 1862 quarter eagle is many, many times rarer than the 1861. Gold coinage after the start of the Civil War did not circulate with regularity, and many great rarities were produced during this era. Most of the examples seen of this date are well struck, some with die clashes visible on one or both sides." Subtle die clashing on this coin can be seen with the aid of a loupe.
David Akers' "United States Gold Coins - An Analysis of Auction records - Volume II Quarter Eagles 1796-1929" (1975) comments, "Very rare in all grades..." Walter Breen's "Complete Encyclopedia Of U.S. And Continental Coins" (1988) calls the 1867 Quarter Eagle, "Rare... Business strikes (Jan. 22) have hollows (polished areas) below BE and in and below ear." And most recently (2008) Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" indicates, "The 1867 quarter eagle is scarce, if not truly rare, in all grades. Most of the examples seen are circulated to some degree, and this date is very rare in full Mint State... Most of the high-grade examples seen have at least partially prooflike surfaces." Garrett and Guth also indicates the "Finest Smithsonian Institution specimen: AU-55" This coin also shows field die stria (angling 11:00 to 5:00) below the nose, jaw, and at the date - similar to PCGS s/n 16403663 (MS61).
David Akers' "United States Gold Coins - An Analysis of Auction records - Volume II Quarter Eagles 1796-1929" (1975) comments, "Very rare in all grades..." Walter Breen's "Complete Encyclopedia Of U.S. And Continental Coins" (1988) calls the 1867 Quarter Eagle, "Rare... Business strikes (Jan. 22) have hollows (polished areas) below BE and in and below ear." And most recently (2008) Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" indicates, "The 1867 quarter eagle is scarce, if not truly rare, in all grades. Most of the examples seen are circulated to some degree, and this date is very rare in full Mint State... Most of the high-grade examples seen have at least partially prooflike surfaces." Garrett and Guth also indicates the "Finest Smithsonian Institution specimen: AU-55" This coin also shows field die stria (angling 11:00 to 5:00) below the nose, jaw, and at the date - similar to PCGS s/n 16403663 (MS61).
David Akers' "United States Gold Coins - An Analysis of Auction records - Volume II Quarter Eagles 1796-1929" (1975) comments, "Very rare in all grades..." Walter Breen's "Complete Encyclopedia Of U.S. And Continental Coins" (1988) calls the 1867 Quarter Eagle, "Rare... Business strikes (Jan. 22) have hollows (polished areas) below BE and in and below ear." And most recently (2008) Garrett and Guth in their "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" indicates, "The 1867 quarter eagle is scarce, if not truly rare, in all grades. Most of the examples seen are circulated to some degree, and this date is very rare in full Mint State... Most of the high-grade examples seen have at least partially prooflike surfaces." Garrett and Guth also indicates the "Finest Smithsonian Institution specimen: AU-55" This coin also shows field die stria (angling 11:00 to 5:00) below the nose, jaw, and at the date - similar to PCGS s/n 16403663 (MS61).
Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins" comments, "Quarter eagles from the San Francisco Mint of this era all share common themes - they are usually found well worn and are rare in high grade. The 1869-S is no exception, as most of the coins are found for this year are relatively low grade." David Akers, in his Auction Analysis of 1975 suggested, "Scarce as a date... Most specimens I have seen were very bluntly struck and have relatively little detail on the hair around Liberty's face or on the eagle's right leg and neck... grossly underpriced, particularly in choice condition." He gave the 1869-S quarter eagle an average grade of VF30 although the current graded population suggest a better average would be in the VF45-AU50 range.
Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins" comments, "Quarter eagles from the San Francisco Mint of this era all share common themes - they are usually found well worn and are rare in high grade. The 1869-S is no exception, as most of the coins are found for this year are relatively low grade." David Akers, in his Auction Analysis of 1975 suggested, "Scarce as a date... Most specimens I have seen were very bluntly struck and have relatively little detail on the hair around Liberty's face or on the eagle's right leg and neck... grossly underpriced, particularly in choice condition." He gave the 1869-S quarter eagle an average grade of VF30 although the current graded population suggest a better average would be in the VF45-AU50 range.
As Garrett and Guth suggest in their "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "This date is another in a series of very low-production issues... The 1883 quarter eagle is a very rare coin in all grades... As usual for the low-mintage issues, most 1883 quarter eagles are seen with deeply reflective, prooflike surfaces." An interesting note regarding the 1883 is the die clash marks below the R in LIBERTY which end as a rectangular mark inside Liberty's ear (vertical shield lines [pale gules]). From what I have been able to discern, Proof coins do not have this die clash while business strikes do. This may be a diagnostic for proof versus business strikes, although it is an area of research that I have not yet been able to devote time to. Also the Y in LIBERTY appears to have been repunched low. The survival estimate listed on the PCGS website seems to be out of line with other coins in the series. With a graded population of 166 by PCGS and NGC (including resubmissions) the estimate of 250 total surviving appears inflated. Maybe a typo? 150 (R7.5) would seem to be a more realistic number especially with a total mintage of only 1920 business strikes.
As Garrett and Guth suggest in their "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "This date is another in a series of very low-production issues... The 1883 quarter eagle is a very rare coin in all grades... As usual for the low-mintage issues, most 1883 quarter eagles are seen with deeply reflective, prooflike surfaces." An interesting note regarding the 1883 is the die clash marks below the R in LIBERTY which end as a rectangular mark inside Liberty's ear (vertical shield lines [pale gules]). From what I have been able to discern, Proof coins do not have this die clash while business strikes do. This may be a diagnostic for proof versus business strikes, although it is an area of research that I have not yet been able to devote time to. Also the Y in LIBERTY appears to have been repunched low. The survival estimate listed on the PCGS website seems to be out of line with other coins in the series. With a graded population of 166 by PCGS and NGC (including resubmissions) the estimate of 250 total surviving appears inflated. Maybe a typo? 150 (R7.5) would seem to be a more realistic number especially with a total mintage of only 1920 business strikes.
As Garrett and Guth suggest in their "Encyclopedia Of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933", "This date is another in a series of very low-production issues... The 1883 quarter eagle is a very rare coin in all grades... As usual for the low-mintage issues, most 1883 quarter eagles are seen with deeply reflective, prooflike surfaces." An interesting note regarding the 1883 is the die clash marks below the R in LIBERTY which end as a rectangular mark inside Liberty's ear (vertical shield lines [pale gules]). From what I have been able to discern, Proof coins do not have this die clash while business strikes do. This may be a diagnostic for proof versus business strikes, although it is an area of research that I have not yet been able to devote time to. Also the Y in LIBERTY appears to have been repunched low. The survival estimate listed on the PCGS website seems to be out of line with other coins in the series. With a graded population of 166 by PCGS and NGC (including resubmissions) the estimate of 250 total surviving appears inflated. Maybe a typo? 150 (R7.5) would seem to be a more realistic number especially with a total mintage of only 1920 business strikes.
All 1891 business strike coins that I have seen show doubling of the reverse even though many holder titles do not indicate it. This is especially true of the right side legend (OF AMERICA), the denomination D including the period and dot, the eagle's right wing, and the arrows heads. Early strikes tend to show doubling of the top arrow shaft, fraction bar and denominator 2 as well. Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" states, "The 1891 quarter eagle is a scarce, low-mintage date. In grades up to gem Uncirculated, the 1891 commands little or no premium over more common dates. This is difficult to understand, as the 1891 quarter eagle is many times rarer than any of the later-date issues. Gem examples are very rare, with just a few graded at that level."
All 1891 business strike coins that I have seen show doubling of the reverse even though many holder titles do not indicate it. This is especially true of the right side legend (OF AMERICA), the denomination D including the period and dot, the eagle's right wing, and the arrows heads. Early strikes tend to show doubling of the top arrow shaft, fraction bar and denominator 2 as well. Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" states, "The 1891 quarter eagle is a scarce, low-mintage date. In grades up to gem Uncirculated, the 1891 commands little or no premium over more common dates. This is difficult to understand, as the 1891 quarter eagle is many times rarer than any of the later-date issues. Gem examples are very rare, with just a few graded at that level."
All 1891 business strike coins that I have seen show doubling of the reverse even though many holder titles do not indicate it. This is especially true of the right side legend (OF AMERICA), the denomination D including the period and dot, the eagle's right wing, and the arrows heads. Early strikes tend to show doubling of the top arrow shaft, fraction bar and denominator 2 as well. Garrett and Guth's "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933" states, "The 1891 quarter eagle is a scarce, low-mintage date. In grades up to gem Uncirculated, the 1891 commands little or no premium over more common dates. This is difficult to understand, as the 1891 quarter eagle is many times rarer than any of the later-date issues. Gem examples are very rare, with just a few graded at that level."
