Lot 1525
1853 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. Arrows and rays. NGC graded Proof 67. Lovely blue and gold toning on both sides. Nice prooflike fields and well struck. An exceptional rarity and a key one-year Type that is toned in light warm sunset gold to rose hues glittery mirror surfaces, the color shading to iridescent blue with key blue elements in the composition. Incredible quality! Razor-sharp struck on both sides, the devices show their best star performance under a low power loupe where all of the intricate design detail shows clearly. Reflective mirror fields confirm the status as a rare Proof of this date, which nicely offset the devices. There are only five Proof specimens known of the 1853 Arrows & Rays Quarter:
(1) The Eliasberg Collection sale piece;
(2) 1998 Pittman Collection sale piece;
(3) 1988 Norweb Collection sale coin;
(4) Auction'80 sale example;
(5) National Numismatic Collection in the Smithsonian.
No records exist listing how many Proofs were struck this year, the mint record keeping was sparse in the 1850s; nor is there any indication how many Proof sets might have been made for distribution to visitors to the Mint. Dave Akers, who cataloged the Pittman Collection's own Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays quarter, wrote that the coin offered in that sale was "The most Prooflike of any of the examples I have seen and the most convincing as a true Proof." Also, an interesting discussion occurred between David Akers and David Bowers when they were both cataloging the Pittman and Eliasberg coins, both of which were offered raw (not yet certified). Mr. Akers noted that the Pittman coin did not have a mirror finish between the shield lines, but otherwise had all the reflectivity of a Proof issue, especially given that virtually all other 1853 arrows and rays quarters are so well frosted. Prospective bidders will want to read the description under lot 1454 in the Eliasberg sale as well as the notations under lot 1325 in the Pittman Part II collection. Again, the beautifully toned specimen offered here does not leave any question as to its status either, an amazing offering; a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the advanced collector or student of numismatics.
The 1853 design features arrows at the date and a "glory" of rays around the eagle. It is a one year type coin and one of the rarest dates in of all quarters in Proof condition. Less than 10 exist and perhaps as few as 5 were coined, and comprise those five in the above list. The coin is set in NGC holder #1723001-002 and will undoubtedly become a part of one of the "world's greatest" collections of United States coins. Only 5 minted. 4 proofs graded at NGC. Pop 1; the finest graded.
Estimated Value $175,000 - 200,000.
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