Owner Comments:
1857 25C Quarter Dollar
Judd-188, Pollock-225
Rarity: Low R.7, PR63 BN
Ex Simpson
Struck in copper with a plain edge
Obverse: The obverse is the regular-issue Seated Liberty quarter from 1857.
Reverse: Is from an incomplete die that shows UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and QUAR. DOL. at the rim in a smaller font than on the regular issues, with the letter Q shaped much differently. The center reverse is blank.
Commentary:
The Q in QUARTER is noticeably thin and squeezed, with a long serif descending from the center of the letter. Both sides offer subtle reddish-gold coloration, with a dollop of sage added to the reverse. A few reeding marks are noted in the center reverse, signs of contact with other coins (of the same issue, one might assume), but otherwise the surfaces are splendid and attractive, with a bold strike and excellent appeal.
Struck on both thick and thin planchets, this is another pattern variety that begs for a weight indication on the encapsulation. In earlier editions, the comment on this pattern in Judd was that it "appears to be the first work of Anthony C. Paquet who started working at the Mint on October 20, 1857." Perhaps a dozen exist on both thick and thin planchets according to USPatterns.com, and USPatterns states that this piece might have been a setup piece for Paquet's ten dollar design the following year, Judd-221.
Provenance/Appearances
From Bob Simpson , Heritage Aug 2021 ANA WFOM / Lot #3052; Priors
-Superior Jun 1992 (Jack Adams Collection) / Lot #2374 ( as Brilliant PF60BN );
- Ira and Larry Goldberg;s May 2003 / Lot #574 PCGS 62RB and
- Stacks Oct 16th 2003 Anniversary (Estate of Richard Hillman) / lot #2031, PR62 RB PCGS;
- Lemus-Queller Family Collection Heritage Jan 2009 Fun / Lot #15, NGC PR64BN ( This auction referred to from unknown Stacks Lot #2031?