1824/2 Capped Bust Quarter. B-1, the only known dies. Rarity-3. MS-61 (PCGS).This is a simply outstanding condition rarity from one of the scarcer issues in a challenging and underrated early U.S. Mint series. Wonderfully original, blended pearl gray and steel-olive patina dominates the in hand appearance, although both sides also reveal plenty of vivid antique gold, powder blue and pale pink undertones as the coin rotates under a light. The finish is decidedly prooflike, which feature is also fully appreciable with the aid of a strong light source. The strike is nicely centered on the planchet with full, uniform denticulation around the borders on both sides. The devices are generally sharp in detail with only a touch of softness to a few of the obverse stars, the top of Libertys cap and the eagles talons. Overall smooth in hand, and uncommonly so for the assigned grade, provenance concerns alone compel us to mention a few wispy pin scratches in the obverse field at the digit 4 in the date and another in the left reverse field below the letters IT in UNITED. A highlight of the early silver coin offerings in this sale, and sure to have no difficulty finding its way into an advanced cabinet. Designed by John Reich, the Capped Bust quarter made its debut in 1815 during an era in which the United States Mint struck gold and silver coins at the request of bullion depositors rather than on government account. Since the half dollar was the preferred silver coin for monetary transactions throughout the 1790s and early 19th century, quarter dollar production was both limited and sporadic until the 1830s. It should come as no surprise to read, therefore, that the entire mintage of the Large Diameter Capped Bust quarter series of 1815 to 1828 is just 1,294,584 coins. Survivors of all dates and die varieties are scarce when viewed in the wider context of U.S. numismatics, and most are well worn in grades such as VG and Fine. In Mint State this is an elusive and underrated type, the 1815, 1818 and 1825/4/2 issues accounting for the majority of such examples in collectors hands. The 1824/2 is one of the scarcest issues in this series, and in Mint State it is a formidable rarity. There is only a single die variety known for this issue, and it is interesting one. The 1824/2 uses an obverse that was prepared but not used in 1822 and a reverse that was previously used for the very rare 1823/2 and used again, later, in both the 1825 B-1 and 1828 B-2 marriages. From this single die pairing of the 1824/2 only an estimated 16,000 coins were struck. We have been able to positively confirm the existence of just four Mint State coins, in addition to a single Proof striking:1 - strongNGC Proof-63./strong Ex Captain John W. Haseltine, November 28, 1881; George L. Davis Collection, 1870 to 1890, after which the collection was put into a Trust Co. in North Andover, Massachusetts until October 1953; our (Stacks) Davis-Graves Collection sale, April 1954, lot 333; our (Stacks) session of Auction 86, July 1986, lot 128; Superiors session of Auction 90, August 1990, lot 1072; Superiors May 30-June 1, 1993 Auction, lot 420.2 - strongNGC MS-65./strong Ex John M. Clapp; John H. Clapp; Clapp estate, 1942; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, April 1997, lot 1387. Possibly also ex S.H. and H. Chapmans sale of the Thomas Cleneay Collection, December 1890, lot 1335; and S.H. and H. Chapmans sale of the John G. Mills Collection, April 1904, lot 997.3 - strongPCGS MS-64./strong Ex Heritages sale of the Findley Collection, January 2009, lot 3725, to the following via Richard Burdick; our (in conjunction with Sothebys) sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part I, May 2015, lot 1073; Joe OConnor Numismatics; J. Clayton Shaw Collection; Joe OConnor Numismatics, January 2018; Dr. Charles Link Collection.4 - strongPCGS MS-62./strong Ex Heritages FUN Signature Sale of January 1999, lot 6590; Heritages Long Beach Signature Sale of September 2002, lot 6473; Los Angeles dealer, February 28, 2003; Heritages sale of the Eugene H. Gardner Collection, June 2014, lot 30351; Dr. Charles Link Collection.5 - strongPCGS MS-61./strong strongemThe present example/em/strong. Ex our (Stacks) sale of the F. Dabney Caldwell, Jr. Collection, April 1988, lot 2413. It is currently accompanied by an old time circular red leather holder in Extremely Fine condition.Ex our (Stacks) sale of the F. Dabney Caldwell, Jr. Collection in April 1988, lot 2413.
