1842-O 25C Small Date MS(PCGS#5403)

The March 2012 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

4072

Grade

AU53

Price

13,225

Lot Description

1842-O Liberty Seated Quarter. Small Date. Briggs 1-A. AU-53 (PCGS). Lustrous lilac-gray with attractive steel and deep gold highlights. The devices are strong and the surfaces yield no marks worthy of mention when viewed with a loupe. A true rarity from the early years of the design type, struck with a date that could just as well be called the "Tiny Date" variety; the numerals are considerably smaller in stature than those on the Large Date variety and are far more suited to the dime coinage of the date. An important opportunity for an advanced Liberty Seated quarter specialist is about to occur, and we suspect that many numismatists will show an active interest in this choice mark-free representative of the date and grade combination.<br /> <br /> <strong>Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers</strong><br /> Although Charlotte and Dahlonega gold coins have been in the spotlight, the other branch mint -- New Orleans -- has been relatively neglected in comparison. And yet, coins from that most southern mint are fascinating to collect and in many instances are very rare, the present coin being an example.