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

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

4301

Grade

VG8

Price

480

Lot Description

Tompkins Die Stage 5/6, Rea et al. Die State d (Stage 5), Rarity-6+. Last in a trio of terminal die state examples of the 1825/4/2 Browning-3 variety in the Tompkins Reference Collection, this PCGS VG-8 shows the effects of heavy wear on the full cud break on the reverse. Unlike on the coins in the preceding two lots, here wear has largely effaced most of the word UNITED within the cud, but ghostly partial outlines of the letters NIT can still be discerned. Pretty silver-rose and blue-gray patina adorns both sides, the surfaces smooth for the grade with all major design elements fully appreciable where allowed by die state.<p><strong>Steve M. Tompkins Commentary:</strong> Many collectors would call simply call this a "cud," however the term is not well defined. This is still what should be called a "retained cud" as it shows evidence of the lettering at the highest point of the die break. A true "full cud" would insinuate that the coin was struck after the broken and retained portion of the die had fallen out and was not present to impart any impression on the planchet. In this scenario, the raw metal of the planchet would flow into the recess left by the section and produce a less defined and rounded appearance. Consequently the opposite side of the coin would be more weakly stuck due to lack of proper metal flow.