By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
After a two-year hiatus, the quarter greenback returned in 1831. For its return, United States Mint Chief Engraver William Kneass modified John Reich’s Capped Bust Quarter design in 1831 to accommodate smaller planchets. The shut collar die allowed for a greater high quality coin with a raised rim to guard the design parts. Notably absent on the reverse is the ribbon over the eagle’s head that carried the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.
When it comes to manufacturing, the quarter-dollar denomination noticed larger mintages throughout this era. In consequence, each date of this kind is inside attain of the common collector, with costs starting from $200 for cash grading Very Tremendous to about $1,300 for cash About Uncirculated situation.
Mint State examples exist for all 5 printed varieties, though the Browning-5 is uncommon in all grades.
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Market Knowledge and Noteworthy Specimens
1834 Capped Bust Quarter Greenback, Browning-1 (B-1)
A second MS67 instance was added to the NGC census in 2024.
High Inhabitants: PCGS MS66 (5, 11/2024). NGC MS67 (2, 8/2024), and CAC MS66 (2:0 stickered:graded, 11/2024).
R-1. O/F in OF. No interval after denomination. Solely two traces make up the vertical traces of the federal defend. The eagle can also be depicted with out its tongue lanģued. Proof of die rust is current above the eagle’s head. The reverse die for this Pink Guide selection was carried over from 1833. The 1834 B-2 can also be listed within the Cherrypicker’s Information as FS-901.
In Die State III, there may be an arcing obverse crack from the rim beneath the primary star throughout Liberty’s bust and hair by way of the ultimate star to the rim.
Walter Breen believed that these dies have been additionally used to strike a couple of Proofs, citing the DuPont, Newman, Mougey, and Newcomb cash as examples. Of their 2009 Philadelphia Americana sale, Bowers and Merena famous that the Clapp-Eliasberg specimen may belong to that group.
- PCGS MS66 #45621373: “The Arthur C. Fritz Assortment,” Lester Merkin, October 1966, Lot 263; “The New York Connoisseur’s Assortment,” American Numismatic Rarities, March 2006, Lot 631; Stack’s, March 2009, Lot 3768. As PCGS MS66 #45621373. Heritage Auctions, January 12, 2023, Lot 3686 – $30,000.
- PCGS MS66 CAC #34980734: Heritage Auctions, January 14, 2022, Lot 4594 – $43,200. Olive and apricot hue all through.
- NGC MS66* #3604203-001: “Colonel” E.H.R. Inexperienced; Inexperienced property to Eric P. Newman and B.G. Johnson (dba St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co. As “Uncirculated, very good.” Eric P. Newman, $3,00. As NGC MS66* #2037631-034. “The Eric P. Newman Assortment, Half II,” November 15, 2013, Lot 33354 – $30,550. Newman novelty insert. As NGC MS66* #3604203-001. Stack’s Bowers, October 2015, Lot 27 – $26,437.50. Newman on insert. Apparently, this coin developed gold, cerulean blue, and violet firming throughout Newman’s possession.
- PCGS MS65+PL CAC #37577829: As NGC MS66*PL. Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2009, Lot 3733 – $29,900; Heritage Auctions, January 7, 2015, Lot 4084 – $28,200. As PCGS MS65+PL CAC #37577829. Heritage Auctions, February 20, 2020, Lot 3049 – $31,200; Stack’s Bowers, March 26, 2024, Lot 4084 – $40,800.
- NGC MS65 #3164469-003: Stack’s Bowers, August 15, 2018, Lot 1127 – $12,500 Reserve Not Met. Gold and rust firming.
1834 Capped Bust Quarter Greenback, Browning-2 (B-2)
R-4. Identical obverse as Browning-1. The highest left star (star 7) is repunched. Interval after denomination.
In 1992, the situation census was MS65, MS60 (2), AU48, and AU50(4). One of many AU50 examples was owned by collector Robert W. Miller, Sr., whose assortment was offered in 1992 by Bowers and Merena (Lot 134). Right now, there are sufficient Selection or higher Mint State examples to fill the highest of the census. The Eugene H. Gardner coin graded MS65 CAC (pictured above) is accompanied by two different MS65 cash – each upgrades.
- PCGS MS65 CAC #05942894: Uncommon Cash of New Hampshire, April 2007; “Eugene H. Gardner Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, June 23, 2014, Lot 30354 – $24,675; Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2020, Lot 4159 – $16,800; Heritage Auctions, August 4, 2020, Lot 3920 – $15,000; Heritage Auctions, November 20, 2020, Lot 3314 – $13,200; Heritage Auctions, April 22, 2021, Lot 3403 – $13,200; “The Bender Household Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, February 9, 2023, Lot 3724 – $13,200. Reholdered. Bender Assortment on insert. Mottled firming over latte-colored surfaces.
- NGC MS65 #3843752-001: As PCGS MS64 CAC #15101200. Heritage Auctions, March 25, 2010, Lot 759 – $9,200. As NGC MS65 #3843752-001. Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2015, Lot 4553 – $11,162.50. Vintage rainbow firming in blue, violet, inexperienced, and gold.
- NGC MS65 #1723003-004: As NGC MS64. Heritage Auctions, January 5, 2001, Lot 6880 – $3,220. As NGC MS65 #1723003-004. Heritage Auctions, June 2, 2005, Lot 5939 – $8,050. Upgraded by one level. Dappled gray and peach firming with cobalt and gold firming round higher periphery and date.
- PCGS MS64 #39424767: Heritage Auctions, October 14, 2020, Lot 18132 – $5,280. Darkly toned.
- PCGS MS64 CAC #17233900: Heritage Auctions, July 9, 2015, Lot 3095 – $8,225. Mottled firming.
- PCGS MS64 #21011620: “The Aspen Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, July 30, 2008, Lot 191 – $9,775; Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2014, Lot 4130 – $7,050. Blast White. Strikethrough on Liberty’s neck.
1834 Capped Bust Quarter Greenback, Browning-3 (B-3)
R-3. Tip of star 7 factors to Liberty’s uppermost curl. Obverse additionally used for Browning-4 and Browning-5.
- NGC MS64+ CAC #2037631-036: “Colonel” E.H.R. Inexperienced; Inexperienced Property to Eric P. Newman/B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman, $2.50. As NGC MS64+ CAC #2037631-036. “The Eric P. Newman Assortment, Half II,” Heritage Auctions, November 15, 2013, Lot 33174 – $17,037.50.
1834 Capped Bust Quarter Greenback, Browning-4 (B-4)
R-1. Tip of star 7 factors to Liberty’s uppermost curl. Obverse additionally used for Browning-3 and Browning-5. The “C” of the denomination is centered underneath the stem. In Die State III, the coin has conflict marks from the reverse defend at Liberty’s ear and neck space.
That is essentially the most often encountered die marriage of the date and is accessible in Gem to Very good Gem situation.
- NGC MS67 #192004-001: “Public sale ’90,” Superior Galleries, Lot 1078 – $100,000. Provided as best identified of the date, probably best Capped Bust Quarter; Stack’s Bowers, June 18, 2024, Lot 3054 – $72,000. NGC Gen 4.0 Holder. Inexperienced and Apricot firming all through.
- NGC MS67 #3061438-001: As NGC MS66 #688375-005. Heritage Auctions, April 19, 2012, Lot 5086 – $26,450. As NGC MS67 #3061438-001. Heritage Auctions, April 24, 2014, Lot 5578 – $70,500. Upgraded by one level; Heritage Auctions, January 2016, Lot 5331 – $64,625. Deeply toned in blue, violet, and orange.
- PCGS MS66 #38399571: Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2020, Lot 4160 – $31,200. Cobalt and inexperienced firming alongside the periphery.
- PCGS MS66 #02808998: RARCOA; D. Brent Pogue Household. As PCGS MS66 #02808998. “The D. Brent Pogue Household Assortment, Half I”, Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, Could 2015, Lot 1087 – $58,750. Champagne and orange firming. Gentle hairlines in left obverse subject. Die crack on reverse from eagle’s proper wing tip to rim. Crack by way of UNITED STATES OF. Crack throughout leaves and above 2.
- NGC MS66 #1731142-002: Legend Numismatics to Haig Koshkarian, by sale, June 1997; “The Haig A. Koshkarian Assortment,” American Numismatic Rarities, March 9, 2004, Lot 63 – $20,700; “The Eugene H. Garnder Collectio, Half IV,” Heritage Auctions, October 28, 2015, Lot 98404 – $22,325; Heritage Auctions, December 7, 2017, Lot 3063 – $19,200. Rainbow firming on either side. Fingerprint throughout decrease obverse.
1834 Capped Bust Quarter Greenback, Browning-5 (B-5)
R-6+. Tip of star 7 factors to Liberty’s uppermost curl. Obverse additionally used for Browning-3 and Browning-4. The Browning-5 die marriage is the scarcest of all 1834 Capped Bust Quarter Die marriages, with most identified examples grading Tremendous or decrease. The R. Thayer Sheets coin is an outlier, coming in at PCGS MS62.
- PCGS MS62 #83058449: “Public sale ’84,” Superior Galleries, July 1984, 113; “The R. Thayer Sheets Yorktown Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, April 4, 2017, Lot 15369 – $6,462.50. Darkish vintage rainbow firming.
- NGC MS62: John Jay Pittman.
- PCGS XF45 #15586073: Heritage Auctions, April 1, 2024, Lot 53098 – $1,080.
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Coin Specs
| Nation: | United States of America |
| 12 months of Challenge: | 1834 |
| Denomination: | Quarter Greenback (25 Cents USD) |
| Mintmark: | None (Philadelphia) |
| Mintage: | 286,000 |
| Alloy: | .8924 Silver, .1076 Copper |
| Weight: | 6.74 g |
| Diameter: | 24.30 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | John Reich (revised by William Kneass) |
| REV Designer: | John Reich (revised by William Kneass) |
| High quality: | Enterprise Strike |
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