This is an absolutely marvelous example of the Philadelphia Mints first quarter dollar, representing the rarer of the two varieties of the date. It is quite well struck in the centers, but with some softness of detail to the highest strands of Libertys hair. The stars, letters in the word LIBERTY and all four digits in the date are sharp. The obverse, in particular, exhibits particularly long and well pronounced denticles. On the reverse, the strike is also well above average for the issue. Of particular note is the eagles head, often poorly struck and lacking detail, but here boldly defined with the eye, cheek, nostril and other intricate design elements all readily evident. The detail in this area alone establishes this coin as an extraordinary 1796 quarter. A few adjustment marks (as made) are seen in the reverse field, notable beneath the eagle as well as between the eagles beak and the word OF.Both sides of this piece are beautifully toned in iridescent magenta, reddish-gold, powder blue and olive-copper -- a real treat to the eye. Modestly reflective with simply outstanding technical quality and eye appeal.For a long time the 1796 quarter has been an object of desire for all who form type sets of American coinage. Struck only in this single year, the Draped Bust obverse in combination with the Small Eagle reverse is very rare relative to numismatic demand, as no type set can be complete without an example. Survivors are scarce in an absolute sense as the mintage was just 6,146 pieces. The Mint required two obverse dies and one reverse to achieve this mintage, with Browning-1, as offered here, the more elusive of the two in todays market. This is the Low 6 variety of the issue, so named because the digit 6 in the date is farther from the bust than on the B-2 High 6 variety. As such, this coin will be appealing to anyone forming a high-grade type set, and if you are a quarter dollar specialist, this is a "must have." Who knows, it may be years before another B-2 of similar quality is offered.While a number of Mint State 1796 quarters are extant from both die marriages, the vast majority of survivors are circulated to one degree or another. As well, most of the Uncirculated examples are flatly struck on the eagles head. This is the plate coin for the B-1 dies in the 2008 book <em>Early United States Quarters: 1796-1838</em> by Steve M. Tompkins, in which reference it is ranked third on the Condition Census for the variety. It is tied for Condition Census #3 in the 2010 book <em>Early Quarter Dollars of the United States Mint: 1796-1838</em> by Rory R. Rea, et al.Demand for this one-year type from the beginning of the quarter dollar series is intense, especially so for examples of the present quality. Indeed, this coin represents an ideal example -- the very best that most collectors could realistically hope for in a 1796 quarter. Worthy of a strong bid, and destined for inclusion in a fine cabinet.,,PCGS# 5310. NGC ID: 23RA.,NGC Census (both die varieties of the issue): 8; 16 finer in this category (MS-67+ * finest).,Ex S.H. and H. Chapmans sale of the George H. Earle Collection, June 1912, 3035; Stacks, acquired at the ANA Midwinter Convention, San Diego, California, March 1990; our (American Numismatic Rarities) sale of the Haig A. Koshkarian Type Set, March 2004, lot 60; Pinnacle Rarities; Heritages CSNS Signature Auction of April 2011, lot 5079. The plate coin for the 1796 B-1 variety in the 2008 book <em>Early United States Quarters: 1796-1838</em> by Steve M. Tompkins.
