How to tell the difference in an 1831 CBQ small vs. large letters...

commoncents123 · October 7, 2008 6:37AM

Is there any way to tell except by estimating the size of the letters? Isn't there something to do with a period or something?

Quarternut · October 7, 2008 5:11PM

The 1831 small diameter Capped Bust Quarters are truly a year in transition.

For the quarter series, the introduction of the "close" collar also included a reduction in diameter and an increase in the thickness of the finished coins.

When the diameter was reduced the scoll and motto from the previous type was eliminated and the central devices were reduced in kind.

For the first few reverse dies produced, several different size and styles of numeral punches were used. Along with the numeral punches, different size letter punches were also used for the legend.

The first size and style utilized were short and squat and are what we now call the "Small Letters" reverse.

SMALL LETTERS REVERSE (1831)

When there was a change to larger numerals for the denomination, a new larger set of letter punches were also introduced and are what we now call the "Large Letters" reverse.

LARGE LETTERS REVERSE (1831 - 1838)

There are only three "Small Letter" reverses found in 1831 and were used to produce the first four die marriages B-1, B-2, B-3 & B-4. The other three die marriages for 1831 contain "Large Letters" as do all reverses from 1832 to the end of the series in 1838. In answer to your original question, the different size letters are very easy to see and can be distinguished by mearly looking at the reverse of the coin in question.

The "period" you mentioned is from two reverse dies that do not have a period after the C in 25C. and are only found on the 1833 B-2, 1834 B-1 (the same reverse die), and 1835 B-7.

NO PERIOD AFTER C (1833 B-2)

QN

Quarternut · October 8, 2008 2:12AM

for the day crowd!

jdillane · October 8, 2008 2:49AM

QN, your answer is nicely supported with very nice reverse images.

Aside, I was thumbing through your book last night. Just a tremendous resource.

Quarternut · October 8, 2008 6:52AM

<< <i>QN, your answer is nicely supported with very nice reverse images. >>

Thanks!

<< <i>Aside, I was thumbing through your book last night. Just a tremendous resource. >>

Glad you are enjoying it! Make sure you check out my website listed below and print off an errata sheet. There are not a lot of mistakes, but a few items that you might want to know about.

QN

How to tell the difference in an 1831 CBQ small vs. large letters...

Comments

Leave a Comment