1806/5 25C B-1 MS(PCGS#38938)

The November 2011 Baltimore Auction

Auktionator

Stack's Bowers

Losnummer

2027

Erhaltungsgrad

MS64

Preis

60.375

Losbeschreibung

1806/5 Draped Bust Quarter. B-1. Rarity-2. MS-64 (NGC). The only overdate among the 10 known varieties of the 1806 draped Bust quarter, B-1 was struck from the same die combination as the 1805 B-4. In the 1806/5 B-1 marriage, however, a 6 has been punched over the 5 in the date to extend the usefulness of an obverse die that the Mint obviously felt still had some operational life left in it. This was an important and widely used expedient during the early years of U.S. mint operations, as high quality steel for making dies was costly and often in very short supply.<br /> Unlike some other overdates in the various Draped Bust series, the 1806/5 B-1 quarter displays a sharp, clear underdigit. This feature is particularly evident on the present example, an exceptionally well preserved near-Gem that ranks high in the Condition Census for the variety (as defined by Steve M. Tompkins, <em>Early United States Quarters: 1796-1838</em>, 2008). Overall smooth, satin-white surfaces are free of both troublesome abrasions and appreciable toning. The strike is sharp in most areas and suitably strong for an early U.S. Mint coin, although isolated features at and near the borders are a tad soft. A lovely piece that also sports an impressive pedigree.<br /> The obverse die is perfect, but the reverse of this piece exhibits bold clashmarks in the fields and die cracks at the tops of the letters UNI in UNITED and ST in STATES. This is Tompkins Reverse Die Stage 3.&nbsp;The thin, vertical planchet defect that bisects Liberty's portrait is as struck, but is not an element of either the die variety or die state.<br /> <br /> <strong>Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers</strong><br /> What a great coin this is! The specimen itself, in very high grade, stands on its own as a landmark for this interesting variety. Beyond that, its extensive pedigree, dating back to the 19th century, adds much interest, especially the Eliasberg connection&mdash;the ultimate in the American series.&nbsp;