1824/2 25C MS(PCGS#5335)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

4285

Grade

AU53

Price

7,200

Lot Description

Tompkins Die Stage 1/1, Rea et al. Die State P. <strong>Tompkins and Rea et al. Plate Coin</strong>. Richly toned surfaces exhibit glints of sandy-rose and antique gold to dominant steely olive-gray patina. This is a sharply struck coin, and also a minimally circulated one, with both sides displaying crisp definition to virtually all design elements. A bit subdued to help explain the AU-53 grade from PCGS, although traces of softly frosted luster persist, and the surfaces show no significant marks.<p>The 1824/2 is one of the scarcest issues in the Capped Bust quarter series. There is only a single die variety known for this issue, and it is interesting one. The 1824/2 uses an obverse that was prepared but not used in 1822, and a reverse that was previously used for the very rare 1823/2 and used again, later, in both the 1825 B-1 and 1828 B-2 marriages. From this single die pairing of the 1824/2 only an estimated 16,000 coins were struck. Of further interest for this issue is the fact that none of these coins were actually struck in 1824, federal records reporting no quarter dollar deliveries at all during that calendar year. The estimated mintage is derived from the Mint's delivery of 16,000 quarters on December 31, 1823 (warrant #935). No additional quarter dollars were delivered until December 1825, when a total of 168,000 coins were delivered in four warrants - the generally accepted mintage for the 1825-dated issue.<p>Returning to the 1824/2, while even a well worn example represents a significant find in today's market, our consignor observes in his 2008 early quarter reference that this issue is "a true prize when found in higher grades." This minimally circulated, overall sharp About Uncirculated example is just such a coin. It is eagerly awaiting inclusion in another advanced early quarter cabinet, where it will surely feature as a leading highlight.<p><strong>Steve M. Tompkins Commentary:</strong> I purchased this coin uncertified from Rory more than 20 years ago and I'm glad I did. Perhaps a little more than a dozen, perhaps as many as 20, higher grade examples exist for this issue. With a likely mintage of only 16,000 coins, rarity is the order of the day when it comes to the 1824/2 quarter.