Lot 1655
1825 Capped Bust Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-67 B-1. Writing in 1988, Walter Breen attributes the Mint's sporadic delivery of Quarter Dollars from 1796-1831 to the contemporary public's preference for Spanish and Mexican 2-Real coins. After striking 220,643 Quarters of the Draped Bust, Large Eagle type in 1807, the U.S. Mint did not receive new bank orders for this denomination until 1815. By the latter year, John Reich had already introduced his Capped Bust motif on Half Dollars (1807), Half Eagles (1807), Quarter Eagles (1808), and Dimes (1809). In keeping with this trend toward uniformity, it only seemed natural for the Mint to use this design on the Quarter in 1815. The Capped Bust motif would remain in use for that denomination, with one major refinement, through early 1838.
Federal records indicate that a total of 89,235 Quarters were delivered in 1815. Survivors are relatively plentiful in an absolute sense, but the issue does enjoy heightened demand from first-year type collectors. This richly toned Superb Gem is far and away the finest 1815 Quarter that this cataloger has ever handled. It is presently unique in certified grade at NGC, and PCGS does not report a single example of this issue finer than MS-66. Both sides are layered in charcoal-gray, crimson-red, orange, and olive-gold colors that speak volumes about this coin's originality. The strike is sharply executed and well centered with all devices boldly delineated. Mint luster appears full and billowing, and the surfaces are expectantly smooth in appearance for the designated grade. In fact, not even a magnifying glass can find a distinctive pedigree marker other than perhaps the toning line in the left obverse field. A no-questions highlight of the silver offerings in this sale, and a coin that is seemingly earmarked for inclusion in a type set of "finest knowns."
NGC Census: 1; 0 finer.
Estimated Value $47,000 - 50,000.
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