Newbie quarter question.

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I remember seeing a few years ago a quarter with an S mintmark on the reverse of the eagle breast. I think it was called a Superbird or Thunderbird. Anyone have a picture of one of these and know what date it was produced? I thought it was prety cool and want to find one
for a set. Thanks.

Cladiator

From the Heritage website;


""Superbird" Quarter Pair at Pittsburgh ANA Signature Auction

A pair of popular "Superbird" proof 1952 quarters will be placed under the auctioneer's hammer at Heritage's Pittsburgh Signature Auction. Heritage is the official auctioneer of the 2004 American Numismatic Association's "World's Fair of Money" convention, to be held in Pittsburgh the week of August 16 to 21.

According to Bill Fivaz, co-author of The Cherrypickers' Guide, 1952 proof Washington quarters sporting what appears to be an 'S' mintmark on the eagle's chest will be assigned variety designation FS-25c-1952-3 in Volume 2 of the forthcoming edition of the Guide. David Lange, a director at Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, states that "NGC is already accepting and attributing this variety and will use the 'Superbird' moniker on its label." With this formal recognition, the unusual but easily remembered "Superbird" variety will soon join the ranks of many other varieties highly sought after by collectors of the Washington quarter series. As the only proof Washington to display what appears to be an "S" in the center of its chest, the 1952 "Superbird" is certain to become a popular variety among specialists of the series, and may appeal to all numismatists who share a sense of whimsy.

The nickname "Superbird" was first 'coined' by Val J. Webb and was published in his 1984 book Cameo Proofs 1950-1964. Mr. Webb opined that the "Superbird" was exceedingly rare in heavy contrasted proof cameo condition.

Ken Potter, in his March 1998 installment of the Varieties Notebook in Coin World newspaper introduced us to the first image of "Superbird" variety. Citing that it was an "oldie" known within the hobby, Potter speculated that the "S" which appears on the eagle's breast may have been the deliberate work of an engraver because lines strengthening the interior wing feathers are common to proof quarters of the era.

ANACS was the first grading service to use the "Superbird" moniker on its label, and has now certified at least 17 coins ranging in grades from PR63 to PR67.

How scarce is the "Superbird?" Only 81,980 proof 1952 sets were issued. If one assumes that the "Superbird" variety represents a single reverse die, which appears to be the case, then perhaps 15,000 to 20,000 strikes may have been made using this die according to David Lange. However, if hand engraving took place some time after the die was put into production, the actual number may be far less. With cleaning and damage to many existing 1952 proof sets, unimpaired survivors may be small, making it a very rare bird indeed.

Heritage offers two examples in their upcoming Pittsburgh Signature Auction. The first piece is graded PR64 by NGC, and is described as "an essentially brilliant near-Gem that has splendid surfaces and a bold strike." The second specimen is certified as PR66 by NGC. The cataloger states that "the reverse of this brilliant and seemingly immaculate premium Gem offers mild white on black contrast."

The Superbirds will be available for bidding when Heritage's ANA Signature Auction is posted at www.HeritageCoin.com in late July. "

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Thanks Cladiator. Wish I could find info that fast. A dealer had one in his case last week and am gonna try and put a deposit on it. Ill post

pictues if I do.