1835 25C B-8 MS(PCGS#39004)

1835 25C B-8 MS (PCGS#39004)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Tompkins Die Stage 1/3, Rea et al. Die State P. Peripheral toning in bold olive and rose-russet gives way to iridescent undertones of powder blue and pinkish-red as the coin dips into a light. Both sides are minimally toned in the centers, where soft silver gray dominates, and retain appreciable mint frost. Boldly defined with a touch of glossiness to the texture, yet no sizeable marks.<p>This scarce die marriage will particularly challenge early quarter variety collectors in grades above EF, as offered here. Although not specifically listed in either census, this coin would be tied for CC#5 and ranked CC#5 for the die pairing in the 2008 Tompkins and 2010 Rea et al. publications, respectively. Sharing its obverse with the 1835 B-7, the 1835 Browning-8 features a workhorse reverse that is also encountered in the 1836 B-1, B-5, 1837 B-1, B-3 and B-4 pairings.<p><strong>Steve M. Tompkins Commentary:</strong> A difficult variety to find in high grade, and whenever an example is found it should be pursued in earnest. By looking at the reverse die stages we find that this coin was struck after the 1836 B-1, meaning that it was almost certainly struck in 1836. This happened fairly regularly during the early decades of U.S. Mint operations, before laws were passed stating that dies could only be used in the year in which they are dated.