1821 B-3 Bust Quarter G-T-G : 200 Year Anniversary
1TwoBits
Posts: 464 ✭✭✭✭
It's March already, so time to examine the 1821 Browning-3 variety large size bust quarter.
The 1821 Browning 3 variety is considered the most common of the 1821 varieties. It is called an R-3 in the Rea/Peterson/Karoleff/Kovach book on bust quarters, and R-2 in the Tompkins book. The Tompkins book notes the obverse and reverse both have dentil counts of 123, while the edge reed count is 108. Also mentioned is the existence on two proof examples, though the Norweb example is called a one sided proof.
The obverse and reverse both have interesting diagnostics, and both quarter books indicate remarriages (three in the Rea/Peterson/Karoleff/Kovach book and two in the Tompkins book). The obverse die is also used for the 1821 B-4 variety.
Die states:
There are die engraving lines by star 2-3 and die rust pitting between the 2 and leaves on the reverse. The Rea book calls this the first marriage after the 1821 B-4 first marriage.
The next die state noted has bars clashed at Liberty's ear and still has die lines near star 2-3 (called the second marriage).
In the next state, the dies have been lapped, removing the die lines near star 2-3 and most of the die rust on the reverse.
A third remarriage is then noted with a die crack from the rim to star 12 to Liberty's curls, and there is also arrowhead die clashing at star 8.
The Tompkins book notes two marriages, with the second marriage occurring after DS 2 when the bars are clashed at Liberty's ear, and before the dies are lapped.
The example below was in an NGC holder, and crossed to PCGS. Feel free to guess the NGC and PCGS grades if you'd like.
The next example allows for seeing the clashed arrowheads a little better and was not a crossover. It resides in a PCGS holder in case you'd like to venture a guess on it's grade as well. Comments are always welcome, and if you have any 1821 B-3's, please post pictures.
1TwoBits
Comments
Love em!
Here's mine:
Proof Buffalo Registry Set
Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
Proof Walking Liberty Halves Registry Set
Nice examples, I’ll wager guesses of XF40 and XF45, respectively.
Here’s my 1821 B-3, which is graded G6 by NGC:
I’m my experience, this is probably the most available die marriage for 1815-1828, even more so than the die marriages that are generally accepted as R1. I think B-3’s rarity rating still has some ways to go (in the “more common” direction, that is).
I love your posts! I only have my B-5 anymore. I sold my B-3 and B-4 years ago.
nice coins.
35 & 55
Nice coins! I really like the bust quarters in all grades, as they all have their own allure.
I agree the variety is one of the most common, and maybe the latest die state is the most common of the die states due to the remarriage.
I'm guessing @Baley has an 1821 B-3 to add, and maybe @spacehayduke, or @scubafuel, or a few others. Maybe @GoBust will be enticed to post one of his examples at some point (I hope).
I'll be looking for that B-5 in May, @hchcoin. I'll give a few more members some time to check in before I reveal the grades.
1TwoBits
Mine is just a good ole dove gray VF, no die crack:
Your grades:
NGC 35
PCGS 45
Best, SH
These are all pretty nice....especially the 2nd one posted in the OT. My 1821 is a B2 (R4+ or R5).
jom
Very nice Bustie quarters, OP!
I'll guess 35 and 45 as the grades.
Nice coins and happy March!
I'll guess 37 on the 1st, what a great look both of them have, 51 on the second, about AU details, minus a couple points for a few marks, get 'em back with interest for awesome eye appeal.
I have a couple of 1821 B3s, unfortunately the good pictures are lost in the forum archives and now utterly unsearachable, there's a higher grade late die state piece and this early stage example
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I do have one! Pics are below.
More nice examples of the Browning 3, awesome!
The first coin I posted came from the Jules Reiver collection. It was NGC XF45, and crossed to PCGS XF40. The second example is PCGS AU53, with the couple marks noted.
Thank you for posting your examples and comments.
1TwoBits