What's the story behind the early proof quarters?
FadeToBlack
Posts: 7,847 ✭✭✭✭✭
I happened to find out that a friend owns one recently, and I'm intrigued by their rarity... why are so few specimens known? Are there numbers on the original mintages? I did some googling but there doesn't seem to be much info out there on them. Here's a pic of the one I recently found out a friend owns.
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Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
Very few people collected coins in The United States prior to 1857. The driving force at that time was the passing of the large cent when brought a larger number of people into the hobby. Prior to that Proof coins were made for diplomatic purposes and to satisfy the few U.S. collectors who were active.
Some friend if he kept that a secret from you.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
In Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of US and Colonial Coins,
he lists estimates of how many proofs were known for each early date (prior to 1858 when the mint records have survived).
They are known for most dates starting in 1818, although usually the quantity is under 10.
For a list, see my page:
http://web.stanford.edu/%7Eclint/q/25early.htm
That is a nice birthday gift from your friend, now if your friend would put a bow on it and say it is yours that would be even better.
some 4 or 5 1827 proof quarters were had by collectors who just visited the mint to buy them...i think it was at face value to boot
to of been a collector in those dark times....looking at your coins by candle light after a long day
sweet piece you share there...gosh only like 5 examples of the 1833...what treasures
... but where's the other side?
1) Prior to 1855 proofs were made by the chief coiner, who also distributed them to collectors.
As this was a private arrangement, no records were officially kept and the ledgers of the two
chief coiners involved, Adam Eckfeldt and Franklin Peale, have never been located.
2) Proofs struck for diplomatic purposes were very rarely done, most proofs going to collectors.
3) The first official figures for proof coinage are for 1859 and these only for the gold and silver.
4) Beginning in 1860 proof coinages are known with certainty for gold and silver.
5) Proof minor coins were first recorded in 1878 though made and sold by the Mint prior to that time.
6) Some references claim that proof figures are known from Mint records for 1858. This is not true,
all such figures being estimates.
7) Pre-1860 proofs were called master coins and proofs. The word “proof” is found as early as 1835
in Mint records.
<< <i>i seem to recall reading a long time ago...
some 4 or 5 1827 proof quarters were had by collectors who just visited the mint to buy them...i think it was at face value to boot >>
This is just a made up story that has been repeated and embelished over the years. There is absolutely no evidence that this ever took place. This was thoroughly covered in the 1827 section of my book.
I guess it is too much to believe that it will ever die and go away...
QN
Go to Early United States Coins - to order the New "Early United States Half Dollar Vol. 1 / 1794-1807" book or the 1st new Bust Quarter book!
<< <i>
<< <i>i seem to recall reading a long time ago...
some 4 or 5 1827 proof quarters were had by collectors who just visited the mint to buy them...i think it was at face value to boot >>
This is just a made up story that has been repeated and embelished over the years. There is absolutely no evidence that this ever took place. This was thoroughly covered in the 1827 section of my book.
I guess it is too much to believe that it will ever die and go away...
QN >>
thanks for the update...sorry if you were offended...i don't have nor read your book there
i'll regard you as one who has researched this and found it contained no credit-ability then
peace
teddyness
I was not offended and trust me I don't blame you for your statement.
It is just one of those things that irks me everytime I hear it. Sorry if it came off in a bad way...
Peace to you
QN
Go to Early United States Coins - to order the New "Early United States Half Dollar Vol. 1 / 1794-1807" book or the 1st new Bust Quarter book!
<< <i>Teddy,
I was not offended and trust me I don't blame you for your statement.
It is just one of those things that irks me everytime I hear it. Sorry if it came off in a bad way...
Peace to you
QN >>
koolness...i was glad in a way someone confirmed i wasn't losing my mind in recalling such
believe me it was years n years ago i read that somewhere
so drop me in a grade guess on my new 1835 bust quarter in my thread i scored for $80 delivered...a lil skerry buying raw bust stuff as with if they've been messed with or not