1828 B-2 Bust Quarter
NSP
Posts: 322 ✭✭✭✭✭
The newest addition to my bust quarter collection is this 1828 B-2. 1828 B-2 is roughly tied with 1828 B-3 for the title of scarcest 1828 die marriage, but 1828 B-3 is far more popular due to the 25/50 engraving error on its reverse. 1828 B-2 is the only 1828 die marriage with a square base 2 in “25 C.”, but since this variety isn’t listed in publications like the Red Book, it doesn’t attract nearly as much attention as the 1828 B-3. Because of this, I believe that 1828 B-2 is one of the more underrated die marriages for this series.
The reverse die is interesting because it was used to strike a total of five die marriages before the small size quarters debuted. Oddly enough, all five die marriages are at least somewhat tough to acquire, ranging from scarce to unique. The five die marriages are as follows:
- 1822 B-3 (R8; currently unique) - 1823/2 B-1 (R5+) - 1824/2 B-1 (R3) - 1825/4/2 B-1 (R5) - 1828 B-2 (R4+)
When the reverse die was originally prepared, the upper arrow shaft and lower arrowhead were incomplete due to damage sustained by the eagle punch used to prepare reverse dies. These defects are present on 1822 B-3 and 1823/2 B-1. Prior to striking 1824/2 B-1, the die was touched up and the arrows were reengraved. A die gouge was imparted during this process at the bottom edge of the lower arrow. This gouge can be seen on 1824/2 B-1, 1825/4/2 B-1, and 1828 B-2 (including my newly acquired example).
This coin is an eye appealing VG10 example graded by PCGS with a green CAC sticker. Nearly all of the spots and lines in the picture are nicks and scratches on the holder (including the “spot” on Liberty’s cheek) and not the coin. The coin is remarkably nice considering how much it circulated!
Feel free to post your 1828 B-2 if you own (or owned) one!
Comments
Nice!
Those old, well circulated coins often have a 'cameo' appearance due to wear - your obverse is a good example of this effect. Cheers, RickO
i like the look
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
Nice coin! Here is the ANS example...not as nice as yours!
1828 25 cents, Browning 2
American Numismatic Society, 1975.234.9
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
I didn’t realize the ANS had any bust quarters! I’ll have to look around on your site and see what other interesting items there are.
Yes, we have several—even the obverse die for the 1805 Browning 2. Our website, however, is not at 100%, so some things we have may not be easily found. Here is what I found with a quick search. Updating our website has been the main focus during the lockdown.
The ANS has a long reputation of only catering to mostly ancient numismatists. I'm trying to rectify that. Our US collection is quite amazing. 1804 dollar, 1787 Brasher doubloon, the Clapp collection of large cents (minus what Sheldon stole), and so much more. All of it available to our members for up-close inspection.
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
Jesse, and others.
I was lucky enough to visit the ANS as well as The Smithsonian collections with my co-authors Dr. Glenn Peterson And John Kovach while researching our book Early Quarter Dollars of the US Mint. If you are interested, we printed a list of the pieces in each collection in the book. The Smithsonian collection is on page 377 and the ANS collection follows on page 378.
Other interesting quarter facts in our book include the “rediscovery” of the Browning Plate Coins in the Eric P Newman collection and a review of one of the best quarter collections ever assembled by the legendary collector Charlton “Swampy” Meyer.
Hope you enjoy the research we have presented.
Brad
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
Nice looking circulated coin with that "cameo" look. Congratulations!
Hi Brad! @BustDMs ,
Thank you for the book! It has become a standard reference, of course! If/when it goes for a second edition, please do come back to the ANS for a visit and update of that list. Several have been added to the collection since 2010, such as these beauties...
1822 Capped Bust Quarter, Browning 1.
American Numismatic Society, 2011.80.1
1831 Capped Bust Quarter. Browning 5. Proof.
American Numismatic Society, 2011.81.2
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
Jesse, thanks for posting that link to the quarter collection! I noticed that several of the coins have what look like ink streaks across the obverse. Any idea why they have such a similar look? Those last two you posted are incredible!