1822 25C 25/50C MS(PCGS#5333)

June 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2044

Grade

VG8

Price

6,300

Lot Description

Tompkins Die Stage 2/1, Rea et al. Die State a. Writing in the 2008 reference <em>Early United States Quarters: 1796-1838</em>, Steve M. Tompkins succinctly introduces this key early quarter variety: "The [1822] B-2 die marriage is very rare and will be difficult to acquire in any grade. This marriage was struck from a botched, left over, reverse die, originally engraved in 1818." Elaborating on this, we note that this bold naked eye variety features a blundered reverse with the denomination 25 punched over an erroneous 50, with evidence of additional repunching to the primary digit 5 (25/5/50). This reverse was later used in the 1828 B-3 marriage. Both varieties are scarce, although the 1822 B-2 is both more elusive and more conditionally challenging than 1828 B-3 with far fewer examples grading VF or finer.<p>From the NorthEast Collection comes a well worn example in VG-8 that offers excellent value for the early quarter enthusiast working with a more limited numismatic budget. Pleasing surfaces are generally light silver gray in appearance, although both sides exhibit blushes of steely-blue around the peripheries, and there are also faint golden undertones evident as the coin dips into a light. A hint of glossiness to the texture betrays an old, light cleaning - of little concern given that this is a heavily circulated coin that is free of singularly mentionable marks. It retains full outline definition to all design elements, as well, with the blundered denomination on the reverse plainly evident to the unaided eye. A highlight of the NorthEast Collection, this is an exciting offering that will see spirited bidding.