I found two (2) 1963 25C FS-901a "Type B-1" Reverses (New Cherrypicker's Variety)
Maxvan1
Posts: 52 ✭✭
I found two (2) 1963 25C FS-901a "Type B-1" Reverses on Ebay... Both are NGC MS65 and were submitted to NGC at the same time. I believe they were in the same roll.
I did some research, and there's a YouTube video by CoinOpp from 2017 discussing this variety. In the video he notes that the known population at that time was five, with Larson owning one and J.T. Stanton owning four. By my novice estimate, the current known population is probably less than 50...?
I'm hopeful that PCGS and NGC will recognize this variety, as it could really add a new interest in collecting the 1956-1964 Type B Set. It's certainly more interesting than some of the miniscule double die varieties, in my opinion...
I only took pictures of one of them (below), the nicer of the two... Let me know what yall think. Cheers.
Obverse 1: 
Obverse 2: 
Reverse 1: 
Reverse 2: 
Comments
Nevermind
Subset of the subset
I also found one a couple of weeks ago. My was in a PCGS holder with the Trueview so it was pretty easy to see. I looked at 155 Type B's and this is the only one I saw. But someone could have gone through and picked through the ones I was looking at. There were two others I saw that might have been the 901A, but the photos were pretty grainy and I could not determine if they were or not. Assuming that I did see 3 of these in 155 coins, that means 2% of the Type B's are 901A's. So your estimation of 50 is a good guess for now. Here is the Trueview of mine.
And a close up of the arrow tips.
Here is my Washington Quarter Variety Registry Set
This is my Washington Quarter Proof Variety Registry Set
Is there a value assigned to these ?
bob
vegas baby!
I saw yours on the TrueView website, and I actually showed it in a TikTok video about this variety! (Hope that's okay). Very nice. I like the toning.
I just found a third one in a roll of mixed date Type B quarters.
What is the difference between a type b and a type b-1?
good luck in your listing
$35.14 to $2250 OBO is a nice mark-up
The top two arrow tips don't touch the leaf in the type b-1.
It's a starting place! The population at MS65 is at least three, so $2250 is probably a bit too high (maybe 10x too high) but I'm not in a huge rush to sell it. One can hope.
Here is a side by side of the arrow tips to show the difference.
This is a normal Type-B
This is a Type-B with a short arrow tip.
Here is my Washington Quarter Variety Registry Set
This is my Washington Quarter Proof Variety Registry Set
I just went through 2.5 rolls of mixed dates and found two B-1 examples. Both AU at best. But here is my question: My examples, top two arrow tips not touching, have minimal tail feathers (almost gone). Since I don't have the new CP in hand I ask if there are multiple varieties for this B-1.
thanks
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I don't think that is a "Type-B" or a "Type-B-1".
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The difference between these two could be attributed to die lapping, which would be likely if it were a retired proof die.
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@dcarr
Thanks, at least they are still bits of silver!
bob
vegas baby!
@NorCalJack
It appears that PCGS added this variety.
PCGS #: 929381
I dont think there is going to be much interest in the new variety. There is only a small following of the type B subset anyway. I always liked cherrypicking slabs with good images on auction sites for these!
Based on the photos, I see the same crude touch-ups on the wing feathers that are visible on all type B's back to 1937 proofs. I'm wondering if this is just an issue with a hub that was used, or was an issue with the hubbing itself.
I agree. Not sure why PCGS would bother with a non-naked eye sub of a variety that is not even in the red book. Type B should be in the Red Book though, a clearly more defined devices reverse die.
I have one of these. I was told a few years ago that this was caused by die polishing and not a true variety. So where does that leave the 3 legged nickels? I've collected type Bs for a number of years and I've only come across the one, so in my limited world, it seems to be uncommon.
The fact that it has all of the other markers for a typical type B reverse including the hand-engraved wing feathers makes me think this is a likely scenario. See my response above- I hadn't considered it being die polish but that makes sense considering the area that is missing. Some abraded dies are considered varieties, and it looks like the CPG has added this one to the list.
...spice o' life.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Possible progression shown below. But, what makes something a "variety?" Whether it's polishing, or grease, reengraving... To me, a die state could be a "variety," provided that die state results in coins that are unique and consistent enough to be recognized as coming from one particular die for one particular period.
The other NGC FS-901a that wasn't pictured above may have a retained strikethrough. Or maybe planchet error? *Above the R in QuarteR
I had to search to read about 'die lapping' on business strikes versus die polish on proofs.
I had been looking for any proof coins with this type of reverse, and now know why I will not be able to find any.
I also looked for the 901a possible signs of being a double die, with no luck.
This one will be challenging for the services as there will be many liners during the die aging progression.