1825/4/2 B-1 Bust Quarter
NSP
Posts: 322 ✭✭✭✭✭
The newest addition to my bust quarter collection arrived today: an 1825/4/2 Browning-1. The B-1 is by far the rarest die marriage for this date (out of three die marriages total), and is listed in the Redbook as “1825/2” (in other words, it has the Redbook variety appeal going for it). Its rarity rating is R5, which corresponds to 30 to 75 examples (I think it’s definitely closer to 75 than 30). The coin is graded G06 by PCGS.
All 1825 quarters are overdates, and they have been called many different things over the years. I’ve seen the various overdates described as 1825/2, 1825/3, 1825/4, 1825/4/2, 1825/4/(2), and 1825/4/3. Only two obverse dies were used to strike 1825 quarters, and it turns out that both of them are in fact 1825/4/2 (per the Tompkins bust quarter book). Both dies were left over from 1822 and were overdated to 1824/2, but then were never used. Once 1825 rolled around, they were overdated again to 1825/4/2, hardened, and pressed into service.
The obverse die was engraved by Robert Scot in 1822, and many of the obverse denticles are very crudely engraved (i.e., they’re angled and of different heights) on account of Scot’s advanced age. The numerals in the date are also spaced noticeably wider than those on the other 1825/4/2 die.
The reverse die is shared with four other die marriages: 1822 B-3, 1823/2 B-1, 1824/2 B-1, and 1828 B-2. I own three of the five die marriages, but I don’t expect to own the other two any time soon, since the 1822 B-3 is unique and the 1823/2 B-1 is the rarest US quarter date intended for circulation.
If you own an 1825/4/2 B-1, feel free to share it below!
Comments
@NSP very Nice write up, I appreciate your interest in the series and it’s varieties. I have one example. I really like the nice original color on yours. Do you think it was someone’s pocket piece?
B1-s are hard to come by, that is a great quarter, and has the circulated cameo look. Great pick up.
Here is mine as requested:
Best, SH
Very nice coin and write up NSP!
Here's my example
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Great write up! Though not a B-1, here’s my 1825/4/2, B-2, I believe...
Note the location of Star 13 relative to Liberty’s curls, which is quite a bit lower than seen on B-1.
Roseanne Barrett I - CAC Morgan Dollar Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (Retired)
Roseanne Barrett - CAC Basic Seated Liberty Type Set, Circulation Strikes
Great example of B-2 @RAB !
@spacehayduke , I think the graders were a bit harsh on your example. Seems like VF35-XF40 wouldn't be out of the question.
Here's another B-1
Nice examples posted so far!
It’s hard to tell... it could’ve been a pocket piece, or maybe it was lucky enough to survive a couple decades in circulation without becoming too beat up or melted down. It’s interesting to ponder what path each well circulated coin took from when it left the mint to when a collector finally recognized it for what it was and kept it.
Nice write up @NSP ... and nice coin!
My '25 is a B-2 in P40. I could only wish it was a B-1
Anyone have a B-3 for the trifecta?
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Here’s my B-3, so all three die marriages are now represented in this thread!
Nice!!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Well since we are expanding, here are the rest of my 25's in order of die marriage number......
Well since we're expanding to other die marriages, how about die states??
(with apologies to @NSP for semi-hijacking his thread, but my experience is that if bust quarter threads are to survive, it's hard to focus on one marriage for long)
1825 B2 with retained cud at arrows on reverse, plated in "Early Quarter Dollars" By Rea et al
1825 B3 retained cud at "United" on reverse
Great images SH.
Great thread! Thanks to all for posting these great coins!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Although the PCGS holder says mine is a B2 I think it's actually a B3. Whatever the case it's an XF40.
BTW, Hayduke's 2nd B2 is one of my favorite coins. I tried to get that from a dealer some years ago but we couldn't agree on the price. Oh well....at least Hayduke got it.
jom
jom, yes yours is a B3 and gorgeous...... I particularly like the blue tones along the rims.
Best, SH
E and/or L anyone?
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 coin