LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Jan. FUN Signature Coin Auction #454  / 

3020

1841 25C PR66 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:160,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1841 25C PR66 NGC
<B>1841 25C PR66 NGC.</B></I> Ex: Pittman-Kaufman. The only Gem proof 1841 Seated quarter in existence, this piece is the finest of just three proofs that are available to collectors, so far as we know. In his May 1998 cataloging of this 1841 quarter when it was part of the John Jay Pittman Collection, David Akers writes: "This Proof 1841 Quarter, especially given its considerable superiority in terms of condition to the only other Proofs known, is one of the rarest and most important of the many Proof Liberty Seated coins in the John Jay Pittman Collection."<BR><BR>And rare and important this Premium Gem is. In his 1988 <I>Encyclopedia</B></I>, Breen says there are "4 proofs known." Larry Briggs, in his <I>The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Quarters,</B></I> writes of the mintage: "2+ proofs-2 verified." A mere three specimens have been reported in the population reports-NGC has only certified this PR66 Pittman-Kaufman specimen, while PCGS has graded a PR58 and a PR61 that may be the same coin. Phil Kaufman was offered the PR61, but he passed due to a lack of quality.<BR><BR>Based on our auction records research, we believe the following are the only known 1841 proof quarters:<BR><B>1. PR66 NGC. The present Kaufman specimen. </B></I>Sam Kabealo (1941); 1959 ANA Sale, lot 2480, lot 2480; New Netherlands (54th Sale, 4/1960), lot 1113; John Jay Pittman (David Akers, 10/1997), lot 1302, $77,000.<BR><BR><B>2. PR60.</B></I> Superior (6/1985), lot 757, $2,550. Possibly the piece later certified PR61 by PCGS. <BR><B>3. PR58 PCGS.</B></I> Superior (10/1990), lot 3531, $2,090.<BR><BR><B>4. Proof. </B></I>Smithsonian Institution.<BR>There are only a few useful die characteristics on each side. The shield point on the obverse is directly over the right side of the upright of the first 1. The digits in the date appear to slant to the left, and the 41 are slightly closer than other pairs of digits. Several of the vertical elements in the shield on the reverse extend through one or more horizontal crossbars.<BR><BR>A solid strike brings out exquisite definition on all of the design elements of this of this incredible PR66 coin. Liberty's hair and the eagle's plumage are fully delineated, as is the foot with its complete separation from the sandal and its straps. Deep mirrored fields establish pronounced contrast with the design elements when the coin is tilted beneath a light source, and medium intensity violet, cobalt-blue, and gold in the fields further serves to highlight the lighter champagne-gold and soft blue hues of the central motifs. Both faces exhibit impeccable preservation, though we make mention of what Akers referred to as "... a few very light contact marks hidden under the toning in the right obverse field." In summary, enough cannot be said about the fantastic eye appeal exuded by this finest-certified 1841 proof quarter, which will undoubtedly find a new home in a top shelf collection.<BR><I>From The Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Seated Proof Sets, Part Two.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Christian Gobrecht<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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