1821 25C B-1 MS(PCGS#38963)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

4274

Grade

AU58

Price

4,320

Lot Description

Tompkins Die Stage 1/1, Rea et al. Die State a. Really a lovely example of the type, date and die pairing, both sides are attractively original in preservation and toned in bold steel-olive. Plenty of frosty luster remains, and viewing at direct lighting angles also calls forth iridescent undertones of antique gold, powder blue and pinkish-apricot. Universally bold to sharp striking detail and impressively smooth surfaces round out a desirable list of physical attributes for this premium quality Choice AU quarter. Of particular note regarding the strike are the letters LU in PLURIBUS on the scroll in the upper reverse field, which are bold and complete; most examples of this Browning number are softly struck at those letters.<p>Quarter dollar coinage at the request of bullion depositors ratcheted up in 1821, when 216,851 pieces were produced (as opposed to only 144,000 and 127,444 coins during calendar years 1819 and 1820, respectively). This increase apparently caught the Mint unawares with regard to usable dies, for the year 1821 saw it employ several dies from the 1820-dated issue, and there are several die remarriages for the 1821-dated issue. With at least the 1820 B-5 variety struck during calendar year 1821, in fact, the actual mintage from 1821-dated dies is certainly fewer than 216,851 pieces.<p>The 1821 Browning-1 shares its obverse with B-2 and B-6, and its reverse with the 1820 B-4 and 1821 B-3. This may be a plentiful die marriage in an absolute sense, but survivors at and near the Mint State level are very scarce to rare. The offered coin is ranked CC#5 in the 2010 Rea et al. census; it is not included in the 2008 Tompkins census, but another AU-58 coin is, at CC#4. It is difficult for us to imagine a more attractive and desirable example of this die pairing at the assigned grade level. Interested parties are encouraged to enter strong bids for this offering.<p><strong>Steve M. Tompkins Commentary:</strong> One of several coins purchased from Phil and Ray over the years. For almost 10 years the best example I had in my collection for this die marriage was an EF-40 from the Reiver sale. After this AU-58 was purchased the Reiver coin found a new home with a collector friend in Florida.