Number of Isabella quarters struck as proofs
kevinj
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There are at most only 8 Isabella proof quarters
I am doing research for a book on the Branch Mint Proofs. As part of this, I am attempting to make clearer the definitions of proof and patterns, and cover all of the corner cases, such as branch mint proofs, restrikes, commem proofs and such.
I was looking on Heritage for commem proofs and ran across an 1893 Isabella quarter graded. NGC PR64. The description said:
"1893 25C Isabella Quarter PR64 NGC. Only 104 proofs were struck of the Isabella quarter. Unquestionable proofs, and high-grade ones especially are scarce. NGC has only certified 18 PR64 examples with 11 pieces finer. One of the features that distinguishes proof coins from prooflike strikes is the mirrored triangular field to the left of the staff on the reverse. The mirrored fields considerably brighten the medium density blue-gray patina that covers each side."
When I wrote David Stone about this, David explained that Heritage was using the information provided in Swiatek's commem book. On the proofs of the Isabella's, Sweitek first asks whether it possible if the 400th, 1492nd, and 1892nd coins were struck as proofs, saying that to date there was no proof for this. He then speculates that 100 proofs were struck, or that it could be 50 or 75 pieces.
In Walter Breen Encyclopedia of United States Colonial Proof Coins, 1722-1989, he states on page 195 under the Isabella quarter that "Real proofs are very rare, less than fifteen seen in ll. The mirrorlike fields are at least equal to those found on proofs of the regular design of the year" .... " No record of mintage, but certainly the number would be smaller than of the halves."
Both PCGS and NGC has certified Isabella quarters as proofs.
The 103 population normally quoted for this comes from the assumption that the same number of Isabella quarters were struck as proofs as were the 1892 Columbian half dollar. This was incorrect. I wrote a commem book in 2008, where I mistakenly list the 103 in the front of the book, when the clear answer was in the archive letters in the back of the book.
On the Columbian half dollar proofs, numbers, 1-100, 400, 1492, and 1892 were separated out and put in their own boxes with a certificate. We have extensive archive letters on this on this. We also have a newspaper article on the first coins struck. It detailed how the coining press was put in manual mode, that the planchet was placed on the lower die, the press was manually engaged to strike the one coin, and then the planchet was removed and inspected. The planchets were polished. After the first 100 were struck and removed, the coining press was changed to automatic mode and began to strike coins automatically.
Here is an example from an archive letter
"Replying to your favor of the 16th inst relative to the 100 Col. Half Dols. In separate boxes numbered from 2 to 101 inclusive, I beg to state that they were struck from polished planchets and placed into envelopes numbered as stated, in the presence of Mr. Ellsworth and myself. "
A copy of all of the letters and the article are in my commem book. It is important to note that when discussing these coins by the Mint, they were never referred to as proofs. In some letters from collectors, they were referred to as proofs.
It was planned to strike 40,000 Isabella quarters. Most of the archive letters discuss the designs used.
In a letter to Bertha Palmer of the World's Columbian Exposition from Mint Director Leach on April 24th, 1893, Leach states
"I send you by express today, a box containing two models of the head of Isabella – one representing her as a young queen and the other as a mature queen – the latter taken from the engraving which Miss Peddle used. It would be preferable to have these heads without a crown, but it is impossible to properly represent Isabella from the engraving furnished without a crown, and so the Secretary and myself consented to have the crown remain. The Secretary prefers the head of the young queen – the profile view – and I will concur with him that it will look more beautiful on the coin that the front view.
I would be pleased to have your opinion and if you are pleased with the models returned them at once to the Mint at Philadelphia, instead of to me, as that will save a day, and we will proceed at once with the engraving of the dies.
As I telegraphed you the Secretary has consented to put the words “Board of Lady Managers” on the reverse of the coin instead of the words “World’s Columbian Exposition.” The design I sent you, with this change, will be the reverse of the coin.
I feel quite sure that the designs selected will be both suitable and artistic and will make a very beautiful coin. It is my intention to have these pieces struck specially – in as high relief as possible – and on polished planchets, so as to give a beautiful a lot of coins as the mint is capable of executing.
I am in hopes of having them finished inside of six weeks after the return of the models."
At this point the women had not asked for any coins to be separated out. The important part of this letter is that Leach states that it was his intention to have these coins struck especially in as high relief as possible and on polished planchets to give a beautiful a lot of coins as the mint is capable of executing. I believe all of the 40,000 planchets were polished. I have examined many Isabella quarters which exhibit proof-like surfaces as I am sure many of you have.
On May 18th, Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint O.C. Basbyshell sent Bertha Palmer the following letter
"Replying to your telegram of this date I beg to state that we will gladly comply with your wish to keep separate the first five, the 400th, 1492nd, and the 1892nd Souvenir Quarters, and we will also reverse the last one of the 40,000th.
The dies for this coinage are well under way but it will be at least four weeks until they are completed. It will require some little time afterwards to adjust the dies to the presses so that they will work satisfactorily. I do not think we will be able to have any of these coins ready before the 1st of July. I will take great pleasure in letting you know how these dies are proceeding and assure you that every effort will be made to have them finished just as soon as good workmanship will permit. We are very desirous of making this an exceptionably fine coin worthy of the occasion and the parties for whom they are to be made. I am satisfied that you will be greatly please with the result."
This is the first mention of separating out specific Isabella quarters, first five, 400, 1492, 1892, 40000.
To the Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint O.C. Bosbyshell from the Acting Director of the Mint R.E. Preston dated May 18, 1893
"I am in receipt of a communication from Mrs. Bertha Honore Palmer, President of the Board of Lady Managers, World’s Columbian Exposition, requesting that the first 5, the 400th, the 1492nd, and the 1892nd Isabella coins be kept separate from the others. You will please comply with Mrs. Palmer’s request. I have also to request that you will inform me when these coins will probably be delivered."
Notice that the 40,000 coin is left out of this list
To the Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint O.C. Bosbyshell from the Acting Director of the Mint R.E. Preston dated May 20, 1893, regarding the 1st, 400th, 1492nd, and 1892nd coin struck of the Isabella quarter.
Mrs. Palmer in her telegram to this Bureau on the 18th instant, requested that there be kept separate from each other and from the general lot, the first five, the 400th, the 1492nd, and 1892nd Isabella coins.
In your letter of the 19th instant, I notice that you say that her request was for four reserved, which according to her telegram to this Bureau it called for a reserve of eight pieces.
To Rev P.R. Wieder from the Acting Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint dated August 4, 1892, regarding a collector requesting proofs of the Isabella quarter.
"I am sorry we cannot supply you with the 1892 sets for you collection, but probably you can procure these from party of the enclosed card.
We can furnish proof sets of 1893, but the Columbian quarter can be procured only from Mrs. Palmer, World’s Fair, Chicago. We are not permitted to deal in the souvenir coins."
Comments
continued from previous
Like the Columbian half proofs, the reference as proofs is mainly when speaking to collectors on these.
To Bertha Palmer, President of the Board of Lady Managers from the Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint O.C. Bosbyshell dated August 8, 1893, regarding two Isabella quarters given to the Mint.
I am informed by the gentlemen in charge of the Mint Exhibit Government Building, that you kindly handed Mr. McClure two of the Columbian Quarter Dollars for the Mint Cabinet, declining to be reimbursed for the same. I thank you very much for your courtesy in this matter. These coins will be placed in the Cabinet and a record made of the donor.
This letter does not state if the coins donated to the Mint were the proof specimens, I need to inspect to see what their condition is, but we know the source.
To the Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint O.C. Bosbyshell dated January 3, 1894, regarding the number of dies for the Isabella quarter.
I have the honor to report the following dies as having been used in the Coinage of 1893, to wit:
…. Columbian Quarter Dollar – Obverse 2, Reverse 2 ….
This letter shows that there were only two obverse and two reverse working dies used for the Isabella quarter
In conclusion
103 1892 Columbian half dollars were requested, separated out, and delivered. This included the first hundreds, 400th, 1492nd, 1892nd. The coins were struck one at the time, be careful not to let them bang into each other during the coining process. The coins were struck on polished planchets.
8 Isabella quarters were requested, separated out, and delivered. This included first five, 400th, 1492nd, 1892nd. It is assumed that the coins were struck manually in the same manner as the Columbian half dollar, with the press in the manual mode, handling the planchet and subsequent coin by hand to avoid marks, and on polished planchets.
Using the same standard we used to state 103 Columbian half dollar proofs were struck, the same logic is implied in stating only 8 Isabella quarter proofs were struck.
Two Isabella quarters were given to the Mint, it is possible that they were two of the proofs struck. I need to go check these.
The Director stated that it was his intention to strike the coins well and on polished planchets. Many Isabella quarters show proof-like surfaces which confirms this.
Only two pair of Isabella working dies were used, one would have obviously been used to strike the first five coins. If all planchets were polished, then early die states of coins struck immediately after the first five on the first die pair, or the first coins on the second die pair might easily be confused with proofs. As the same pair of working dies were used to strike proof and non-proof coins, the die diagnostics on these should be the same and cannot be used to differentiate them.
If high pressure was used to strike all Isabella quarters, then the dies would worn more quickly. The 1492 and 1892 coins, even though manually struck, might not show the detail of the first five coins.
In speaking to JD last night on this subject, JD said that he had only examined one coin that he truly believed was a proof, that all others he had examined did not meet the perfection of this first.
Caution should be used in differentiating a true Isabella proof versus an EDS with proof like surfaces.
Caution should also be used in purchasing an Isabella quarter that his been certified as a proof by a third party grading service in case it was accidentally misidentified.
We will probably only be able to absolutely identify the first 5 isabella quarter proofs, as the 400, 1492, 1892 might not show as much detail, and might easily be confused with other normal Isabella quarters with polished planchets.
This makes a true Isabella proof a true rarity.
I have to go back to see when the first auction of an Isabella quarter called a proof was, and see if there was a certificate with it or if it states if it was bought from the ladies.
Kevin
A dealer here at the St. Louis show has one in his display case. It looks nice and is residing in an NGC holder. I do not remember the grade on the holder at the moment.
That is an impressive history of these proof coins... also indicates why there may be considerable confusion at to what is and is not a true proof.... Cheers, RickO
-0-
Excellent Sunday morning reading.
Much learned.
tyvm.
"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
I never really cared for the design of the Isabella Quarter...I am starting to take a shine on to it today. Thanks for the edification KevinJ!
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The Director's objective of creating all coins with high relief and on polished planchets will cause obvious problems in differentiating true proofs.
A true Isabella proof will be an extreme rarity IMO, with only 8 especially struck and handled, with 3 of those (400, 1492, and 1892) probably not showing as much detail as the first 5 when the die was fresh.
Are these 8 true proofs? I know Roger B does not believe they are. IMO, if you consider the 103 1892 Columbian half dollars especially struck as proofs, then these should also be considered proofs.
They differ slightly from the Columbian in that the non-especially struck Columbian half dollars were not polished whereas the non-especially struck Isabella quarters were polished.
For both, after they used the dies to especially strike a number of coins, they then used the dies to strike normal coins.
For the Columbian half dollar, as seen in the article describing the event below, the especially struck coins were struck with the coining press in the manual mode, when non especially struck coins were in the automatic mode, it is assumed that the same would have been done for the Isabella quarters.
When I studied the Columbian half proof versus non proof, I saw a clear difference in striking characteristics and field luster, which IMO, the proofs were of a much superior strike quality and luster, which reflect the method of manufacture and intent of manufacture. As the proofs were manually struck and handled, they are normally mark free.
On the Isabella quarters, I have not seen a true proof, so I do not know how superior it is from the non-especially struck coins. But a clear difference from the Columbian comparison, is that the Isabella non-especially struck will have proof like surfaces.
When I spoke to JD, he said in his career, he has found 1 coin that he considered a proof, all the rest did not meet this standard created by this coin.
Its probably like comparing an 1883-CC DMPL to an true 1883-CC Morgan Proof, which JD said when you see, you will instantly know.
On a side note, the archive letters, when referring to these especially struck coins, both Columbian and Isabella, called them souvenirs.
I believe that these letters answers the question as the max number of especially struck Isabella quarters is 8. There is still a question as to whether the 103 Columbian halves and 8 Isabella quarters are truly proofs. Will see if I can get images of the coin that JD believe is a proof.
Kevin
........"Two Isabella quarters were given to the Mint, it is possible that they were two of the proofs struck. I need to go check these.".......
A couple questions if you please:
Is examining these types of coins easily arranged or is it quite a process?
Why didn't the mint, on their own, just keep two for their cabinet?
If Ms. Palmer have access to a large quantity of the quarters, I'd assume she just returned two from the stockpile rather than any of the few special request coins.
"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
Forgot the article on the 103 1892 Columbian half dollars
From the Chicago Tribune, November 20, 1892
Philadelphia, PA. November 19, (SPECIAL). It was a $10,000 beauty that dropped today from the coin press at the United States Mint when the work of coining the Columbian Half Dollar began. Supt. Bosbyshell was on hand to represent the Government, and James W. Ellsworth of the World’s Fair Commission represented that body. There was great interest manifested in the affair because of the big premiums that have been offered for certain of the coins. In addition to the first one, there were also coined and delivered to Mr. Ellsworth the 400th, 1492nd, and 1892nd coins of the new Half-Dollars.
Over two thousand of the souvenirs were struck today and the work will continue until all of the 5,000,000 donated by Congress are completed. With the exception of the four valuable coins already specified, the remainder will be held at the Mint until order for their disposal are received from the Treasury Department. The work of coining the souvenirs will not be finished much before the opening of the Exposition in May, next.
When the hour arrived, Supt. Bosbyshell was summoned to the pressroom by Chief Coiner William S. Steele, while Engraver Charles Barber, who designed the famous coin, Chief Clerk M.N. Cobb, and others, assembled as witnesses. Two dies, one bearing the impression to be stamped upon the obverse face, and the other the reverse, and the only pair in existence, were already in place. Foreman Albert Downing placed one of the blank planchets in the receiver and grasped the lever which raises the lower die, while Edwin Cliff, his assistant, stood at the balance wheel. Unfortunately, the first attempt was a failure – a little flaw caused the coin’s rejection.
The next attempt was made more carefully for the reputation of the coiners was at stake and they had resolved that the first approved souvenir of the Exposition should be a marvel of perfection and beauty. The planchet, before being accepted, was examined under the microscope and found without a blemish. For the second time, the two workmen turned the press by hand, while the spectators waited in suspense. Again the coin was lifted from the face of the steel die and critically examined by Coiner Steele, Engraver Barber, and Superintendent Bosbyshell. Every line was sharply defined, and the strong features of the discoverer of America, which adorn the coin, seemed to look approvingly on the work. Columbus himself could not have done better, Uncle Sam’s reputation as an artist was vindicated.
Cardboard boxes had been prepared for the reception of the coins, not like those in which pills are sold. No finger touched the first of the souvenirs, but the pliers gently clutched it by the rim and conveyed the $10,000 lump to the box which was immediately sealed and handed to the World’s Fair Commissioner (Ellsworth).
After the delivery of the first coin the foreman and his assistant continued coining by hand until they had struck 100 proof pieces, occupying about an hour in the task. Power was applied, and the actual work of making 5,000,000 half dollars went rapidly ahead.
The new half dollars bear the portrait of Columbus according to Lotto upon one side, while the other is it’s discoverer’s caravel, the Santa Maria, in full sail. Beneath the vessel is the date 1492 and the two supporting hemispheres representing the Old and the New World. The motto ‘In God We Trust’ (actually not on the coins) and the date 1892 are the remaining details.
Commissioner Ellsworth will take back with him most of the coins for which fancy prices have been offered. The entire vintage will be shipped to Chicago and disposed of from that city. The coin was designed by Morgan, an Englishman, the same who planned the dollar of the daddies. The sum of $10,000 is to be paid the Columbus Commission for the first half dollar, an it was for that reason that Mr. Ellsworth witnessed the coinage. He will make affidavit to what he saw.
I would love to see one of these mythical Isabella proofs and I want to be believe.
Until then I'm still pretty into my MS example
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Heard that PCGS will no longer certify 1892 Columbian half dollars as proofs, they will be called specimen or special strikings.
I believe they should be called Specimens as you indicated above, not Proofs. I also think that absent some form of Provenance which can be validated that it would be virtually impossible to prove what is a Specimen and what is just a subsequent strike off of the same die pair.
great research, BTW.
Correction on myself - updated directly from JD,
"We still call 1892 Columbian half dollars PR, but do not recognize 1893 Columbian half dollars in PR or SP.
Currently, we call the single Isabella quarter that is certified as PR, but with this new info, gonna have them change to SP."
Thanks, that is an incredible coin, love the toning
Hmmm...I just noticed that neither LIBERTY or In God We Trust is not on this coin. Is that because of the "Columbian" distinction?
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What I can't understand is how you can have a true Proof coin in the middle of the production of a large group of Mint State pieces. Yes, you slow down the press, polish the planchet and perhaps increase the pressure of the press, but how to you get proofed dies from dies that have been striking hundreds of Mint State coins?
if the term "Proof" denotes a method of manufacture, why wouldn't they be Proof coins??
If you go by the definition that all it needs is for the issuing authority to declare them to be Proofs, that's true. But if you are an authenticator that is trying to certify that an item is a Proof, that job becomes next to impossible if the item lacks the characteristics of a Proof or falls short of Proof standards and has been separated or switched from its original packaging.
Any pics of these supposed proof coins?
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
Forgot, below is the link to the PCGS Coinfacts, which shows the PCGS PR65 specimen
http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/9221
Bill, the problem is the same as with earlier standard issues where Proof coins would be struck and then those same dies would be put into use striking circulation issues. how do you tell the coins apart??
Now this is a case where we truly could have FIRST STRIKE, SECOND STRIKE, THIRD STRIKE, FOURTH STRIKE, FIFTH STRIKE on the grading labels had the items been labeled and tracked all of these years...1492 and 1892 etc. Now, that would have been cool.
Not a big fan of the coins though. Nice work @kevinj
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
It might not be the case with Isabella quarters, but there are a good number of obvious Proof coins, without accompanying mint records.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I had been eyeballing this one at Northeast Numismatics awhile back.
I think this is the same coin from this auction.
https://pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1893-25c-isabella/9221/5972181783700991179
Looks proof enough for me. Someone should buy it to remove it from the back of my mind.