1820 25C Small 0 MS(PCGS#5328)

June 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2106

Grade

MS66

Price

34,160

Lot Description

Tompkins Die Stage 2/2, Rea et al. Die State P. Delightful golden-tan patina dominates this impressive Gem, revealing vibrant splashes of olive-gold and turquoise-blue iridescence surrounding the design elements. The eye appeal is strong and the surfaces remain virtually untouched beneath a glass. A light prooflike reflectivity is noted in the fields which contrasts the more satiny luster that blankets the devices. Well centered with a sharp ring of denticles on both sides.<p>This is a truly historic offering that boasts provenance to some of the most prominent numismatists of the past century. It was purchased privately by John M. Clapp from the Chapman brothers in January 1900 and was later passed to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. as part of the Clapp estate in 1942. We first had the pleasure of offering this piece in our (Bowers and Merena's) legendary sale of the Eliasberg Collection in April 1997, where it was recognized for it's "Condition Census Quality" and "strong, mirrored fields." More recently, it was included in the magnificent collection of Eugene H. Gardner, which further testifies to the superior quality.<p>It sits at the top of the Condition Census by a clear margin, ranked at CC#1 by both the Tompkins (2008) and Rea-Koenings-Haroutunian (2010) censuses. It ranks above even the Proof from the Norweb Collection graded Proof-64 by PCGS and the historic Newman specimen now graded PCGS MS-64. This Gem remains important even within the wider 1820 Small 0 issue and is notably tied with the PCGS MS-66 Browning-5 from the Pogue Collection. Only two coins have been graded finer by NGC across all 1820 varieties, though this likely includes the Newman specimen that has since been certified MS-64 by PCGS, as previously mentioned.