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1918/7-S Liberty Standing 25C PCGS MS64

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:10.00 USD Estimated At:10.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1918/7-S Liberty Standing 25C PCGS MS64
One of the best preserved examples of this classic rarity, this one has well developed toning with underlying frosty luster and is generally well struck. In fact, most of the head on Liberty is present, but not quite sufficient to earn it a "full" rating. We must note that this date is nearly impossible to find with a full head since the design of the coin rarely allows the metal to flow into the die this close to the rim. The surfaces remain quite clean, with just a couple of marks hidden on the devices.

The 1918-S, 8 over 7 overdate is one of the most famous rarities of the last century. Few were created, all from a single obverse die, and they are eagerly sought by collectors. Collectors first noticed the variety in 1937, and retrieved most survivors from circulation then and during the next few years. Perhaps one thousand pieces exist, the grading services have seen several hundred in all grades, no doubt including duplicate submittals, and it is likely that more are out there in sitting in old Wayte Raymond albums, having been put away decades ago and forgotten. This handsome MS64 has the minute diagnostics noted in the Breen Encyclopedia. The overdate feature is plain with or without a glass. Apparently in the rush to get dies prepared, one 1918 die received a blow from the 1917 master hub, then the press was switched to the 1918 hub, and the die was struck again. No one noticed the overdate, or if they did, no one cared, and the die was shipped and put into production at the San Francisco Mint, much to the amazement of collectors.

A recent comparable specimen in PCGS MS64 brought $36,800 (7/05), and a mere PCGS MS63 sold for $35,650 in February 2006.