1825/4/(2) 25C B-3 MS(PCGS#38973)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

4296

Grade

AU58

Price

7,800

Lot Description

Tompkins Die Stage 2/1, Rea et al. Die State P. <strong>Tompkins Plate Coin</strong>. A thoroughly PQ example, described in our (Stack's) session of Auction '90 as:<p><em>About Uncirculated and choice, virtually Mint State. Frosty and prooflike with beautiful overall toning.</em><p>There is little to add today, other than to point out that the strike is razor sharp to full throughout with just a trace of high point rub, and to embellish on the toning. Both sides are dressed in rich steel-olive patina with strong underlying iridescence in orange-gold, champagne-pink and powder blue.<p>Representing the second of two uses of the obverse die, and the only use of this reverse die, the Browning-3 is the second scarcest variety of the 1825-dated issue. It is much less scarce than B-1, and is readily obtainable in lower circulated grades. With extensive commercial use claiming most examples, however, this variety is rare in grades at and near the Mint State level of preservation. The 2008 Tompkins census lists four AU-58s as tied for CC#3, while the offered coin is specifically mentioned in the 2010 Rea et al. census, in which it is tied for CC#7. It is one of the nicest Choice AU Capped Bust quarters that your cataloger (JLA) has handled in a professional numismatic career spanning more than 25 years, irrespective of date and die variety. It is highly recommended for inclusion in another advanced collection of this challenging series, and would serve equally well in a premium quality type set.<p><strong>Steve M. Tompkins Commentary:</strong> Another quality "Swampy Meyer" coin that has not been offered publicly for 35 years, and what a premium example it is. I never gave a thought to trying to improve on this coin in the 17 years that I have owned it.