1831 25C Small Letters MS(PCGS#5348)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auktionator

Stack's Bowers

Losnummer

4308

Erhaltungsgrad

AU55

Preis

1.920

Losbeschreibung

Tompkins Die Stage 1/3, Rea et al. Die State b. Fantastic target toning greets the viewer from both sides and includes shades of brick-red, antique gold, powder blue and mauve-gray. More reserved olive-gray color comes into view on the obverse as the coin turns away from direct lighting. This is a sharply struck, minimally circulated piece with plenty of frosty mint luster retained. The reverse is rotated approximately 15 degrees clockwise from normal coin alignment, typical of the variety.<p>The cornerstone of the second Philadelphia Mint building on Juniper and Chestnut streets was laid on July 4, 1829, by Mint Director Samuel Moore. At around the same time, the Mint introduced several technological improvements to its processes, chief among which was the close collar (a.k.a. "collar die") which simultaneously imparted reeding to the coins' edges (when desired) and gave them a uniform diameter during striking. The first coins produced using this innovation were the Capped Bust half dimes of 1829, a denomination not produced since 1805. The first chance to utilize the close collar for the quarter dollar came in 1831, there being no examples of this denomination struck in 1829 or 1830.<p>To prepare the quarter for close collar production, Chief Engraver William Kneass modified the existing Capped Bust design of John Reich to allow it to fit onto smaller planchets of uniform diameter. Kneass refined the portrait and eagle, removed the scroll upon which the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM had been inscribed, and added a raised border around both sides. This type has since become known to numismatists as the Reduced Diameter, Reduced Size or, more informally, Small Size Capped Bust quarter. It was produced from 1831 through early 1838. The first examples produced in 1831 display small letters in the reverse legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with all subsequent deliveries displaying large letters. Many of the earliest reverse die also show other minor modifications, as Kneass tinkered with aspects of the design to obtain the best quality of strike possible for the new close collar coinage.<p>Mintages for this denomination also moved up with the introduction of the Reduced Diameter Capped Bust design type, and most years during the 1830s saw in excess of 300,000 coins delivered. The first year 1831 was produced to the extent of 398,000 pieces, which effort required four obverse and five reverse dies in seven pairings. The Browning-1 Small Letters represents the only use of both the obverse and reverse dies, and while readily available in lower grades, it is remarkably scarce in attractive and problem free AU preservation. This is just such a coin - one of the loveliest 1831 B-1 quarters we have ever offered, in fact - and it will surely command a strong premium from an astute collector who appreciates vividly toned silver.<p><strong>Steve M. Tompkins Commentary:</strong> When I saw this coin at John Agre's table at the ANA I was enamored. I loved the rich toning surrounding both sides. As my prior set piece was a nice EF-45 (offered below) this beautiful AU-55 was an excellent upgrade.