1848 $2.50 MS(PCGS#7748)

Harry W. Bass, Jr. II

拍卖行

Bowers & Merena

批号

413

等级

MS63

价格

229,946

详细说明

1848 MS-63 (PCGS). Obverse highly prooflike, an early striking with die striae visible. Reverse is somewhat prooflike with die striae in about a 45° angle from upper left to lower right. Probably a very early striking from this pair. With a mintage of 7,497, the 1848 quarter eagle has long been recognized as scarce. Walter Breen described the elusive quality of the issue as follows: “Touted as a rarity since about 1958, when J.F. Bell circulated want lists including this date; dealers found none in stock, and the hunt was on. Survivors were usually VF to EF, extremely rare AU.” "Touted” or otherwise, the 1848 is, indeed rare and, as is true of so many quarter eagles of this era, its elusive quality is mainly known to dealers and specialists. The 1848 CAL. coun¬ terstamp (not offered in the present sale) has swiped nearly all of the limelight for this date, and whenever an example crosses the block it creates a lot of attention. However, it is true that in MS-63 grade, the 1848 without the counterstamp is rarer! All of this said, the present piece will no doubt attract enthu¬ siastic bidding when it comes up on the auction block. PCGS Population: 2; none finer. Date logotype better made this year, with figures well spaced and not lean¬ ing. On the present coin the logotype is too far left, with the tip of the 1 embedded in the neck truncation; final figure clear of the truncation and all figures clear of the dentils. From Quality Sales Corporation's sale of March 1972, Lot 1165.