1828 25C 25/50C MS(PCGS#5343)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auktionator

Stack's Bowers

Losnummer

4306

Erhaltungsgrad

AU55

Preis

21.600

Losbeschreibung

Tompkins Die Stage 1/1, Rea et al. Die State a. <strong>Tompkins Plate Coin</strong>. Offered is a near-Condition Census example of this scarce and conditionally challenged Browning number of the 1828 Capped Bust quarter. It is a richly original coin dressed in a warm blend of antique silver, steel gray and olive patina through which soft undertones of champagne-pink, pale gold and powder blue shine as the surfaces dip into a light. The strike detail is impressively sharp overall, and we note only trivial rub to isolated high points from a short stint in active circulation. Both sides retain much softly frosted luster, and they are generally smooth in hand with superior composition for a Large Diameter Capped Bust quarter in this grade. A pair of shallow scuffs in the left obverse field before Liberty's chin and mouth are buried in the toning and, in any event, are so small that they require magnification to discern. More significant - but also more useful for provenance purposes - is a light pin scratch on the reverse that slants down from the border outside the letter E in UNITED to the eagle's right wing at the letter N in the same word. The originality is undeniable, the technical quality is superior, and the eye appeal is outstanding.<p>The distinctive die error is plain to see on this coin, made by an inattentive engraver circa 1818, put into use for 1822 Browning-2, then shelved until it was married to Obverse 1 of 1828 and used again to create the Browning-3 variety of the latter issue. This is a fascinating major variety, less famous than the 1822 25/50 C. even though it uses the same reverse die, and it is the rarest die marriage among the quarters of 1828. While the 1822 25/50 C. variety has always had prime placement on lists of the rarest early quarters, the 1828 version remains underappreciated despite similar rarity, perhaps because of its placement at the end of the Large Diameter Capped Bust series. Most survivors shows evidence of moderate to heavy circulation, and with limited CAC approval throughout the numismatic grading scale, originality and premium quality are seldom seen at any level of preservation. The James A. Stack-Tompkins specimen ranks CC#7 in the 2010 Rea-Peterson-Karoleff-Kovach census, and it is a coin that most numismatists would be difficult to improve upon for this challenging variety.<p><strong>Steve M. Tompkins Commentary:</strong> "Wow!" That is what I said when offered this coin by Rich Uhrich in 2008. I immediately followed this by saying, "Yes, I will take the coin!" It became the plate coin for my book at the last minute, as I sent the completed manuscript to the printer the next month. Coincidently, it was also a present to myself as I acquired it on my birthday.