Once this die was over-dated a second time, they were finally put into production. — Steve M. TompkinsSuperlative luster on this coin surpasses that found on even typical gems, covering both obverse and reverse with satiny frost. The deep golden gray toning subtly incorporates olive, pale blue, and richer gold in areas at the peripheries. Exceptionally attractive and well struck, with fine detail everywhere. The fields are pristine, without a single noteworthy mark, though extended scrutiny finds some very minor abrasions within the recess behind Libertys ear and the gap between the lower ribbon end and the nearby lock. Frosty and beautiful, struck from perfect unbroken dies.The quarters of 1825 are exciting to study, rich with die states and full of particular interest to those who enjoy overdates. Three unused obverse dies made in 1822 were overdated to become 1824 obverse dies. Of those three, one was able to strike every quarter dollar ordered by the Mints depositors in 1824; the other two 1824/2 obverses were shelved. They remained in storage until 1825, when both were again overdated and put into use, creating the 1825/4/2 overdate that is found on both obverse 1 of 1825 (Browning-1) and obverse 2 (Browning-2 and Browning-3). The remains of both overdates are easily seen here under magnification, and some traces may even be seen with the naked eye.This variety was long called the 1825/3 variety, while the other 1825 obverse was called 1825/2. Recent study has resolved the question of what lies under the 5 digit with finality, ending decades of disagreements in terminology. According to Breen, this die was first called an 1825/4 by W. Elliot Woodward in July 1884.This piece is tied for second finest known in the Rea-Koenings-Haroutunian census with the Garrett coin, the Col. E.H.R. Green-Eric P. Newman coin, the specimen in the following lot, and a few others.
