1836 25C B-5 MS(PCGS#39009)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auktionator

Stack's Bowers

Losnummer

4364

Erhaltungsgrad

XF45

Preis

4.080

Losbeschreibung

Tompkins Die Stage 1/1, Rea et al. Die State P. <strong>Rea et al. Plate Coin</strong>. This is by far the rarest variety of the 1836 quarter, and also one of the rarest in the Reduced Diameter Capped Bust series of 1831 to 1838. The 1836 Browning-5 was discovered by Bob Spangler at the 1988 Cincinnati ANA Convention. It shares its obverse with the 1836 B-4, and its reverse with the 1835 B-8, 1836 B-1, 1837 B-1, B-3 and B-4 pairings. The present example was the finest known when it appeared in Heritage's January 2006 sale of the Jules Reiver Collection. Today it maintains its CC#3 ranking as reported in the 2008 Tompkins and 2010 Rea et al. census listings, behind an NGC AU-50 and PCGS EF-45. The latter census included 11 distinct examples but, as the authors note, "There are other examples not listed." Most survivors are well worn and grade Fine or lower; the 1836 B-5 remains unknown in Mint State.<p>This is a warmly toned example with pewter gray centers framed in olive and golden-russet peripheral patina. A light planchet lamination and associated digs at the junction of Liberty's neck and bust that extend into the left field readily identify this as the Reiver-Lusk-Tompkins specimen. Otherwise there are no individually mentionable blemishes on either side; the roughness on Liberty's neck is as made and seen on all coins struck from this obverse die, of both the B-4 and B-5 varieties. The shattered state of the obverse proves beyond a doubt that the B-5 was struck after the latest state of the B-4. A touch of softness to the top of Liberty's cap and in the opposite area at lower reverse is noted, but the balance of the features offer bold Choice EF detail. This is a highlight of the Steve M. Tompkins Reference Collection, and an exciting offering that will see spirited bidding from other advanced early quarter variety specialists.<p><strong>Steve M. Tompkins Commentary:</strong> When the Reiver collection was auctioned in 2006, this 1836 B-5 was at the top of the list of coins I wanted to acquire. However, Jon Lusk and a few others had the same idea and when the last hand was left up the coin sold to Jon for $23,000. Years later I was able to purchase a low grade coin for my set, sure that I would never be able to own a better example. When the Lusk Collection came to market last year I didn't even place a bid on this coin as I figured it would be beyond my means. Not only did it go for less than I anticipated, but it came back to auction a few months later and I was finally able to add it to my collection almost 20 years after missing out in the Reiver sale.