1835 Capped Bust Quarter. B-7. Rarity-7+ as a Proof. Proof-63 (PCGS). Here is a greatly prized rarity, one of eight Proofs of the date now known to exist, including the specimen in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. Sharply struck in all areas of the design, even the faintest details are crisp and clear. The toning of dominant steel-olive patina, with some dappled russet-gold and bluish-gray gives this coin a pleasing, smooth appearance. The fields are deeply reflective and form a splendid backdrop for satiny design elements. Wispy handing marks over and before Libertys portrait explain the grade, although they are well concealed by the toning. A dull scuff before Libertys neck is perhaps the most useful provenance marker.<p>The Browning-7 is unique among die pairings of the 1835 quarter with no period after the denomination 25 C on the reverse. On that die, as well, the letter E in STATES is widely repunched with the base of the first letter suspended in the field considerably below the primary letter. This variety accounts for all but one of the known Proofs (the unique Eliasberg Proof B-1 is the exception), which points to a single, small press run for most of this rare early Proof issue. This wonderfully original survivor should suit even the most advanced collectors. Only the Pittman specimen is graded finer in this category by PCGS at Proof-64+. We first handled this piece 17 years ago in our sale of September 2003 and are now delighted to feature it once again. Ex our (American Numismatic Rarities) Classics Sale of September 2003, lot 266; Heritages Dallas Signature Auction of December 2005, lot 607; our (Stacks) Orlando Sale of January 2009, lot 317; our (Stacks) Treasures from the S.S. New York Sale, July 2009, lot 464; Heritages Rosemont Signature Auction of August 2013, lot 5577; Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of January-February 2019, lot 3584; our sale of the Iron Eagle Collection, August 2020 Auction, lot 1187.
