Lot 281
1804, B-1, R-3. About Good-3. This one is unevenly worn, with heavy wear in the right obverse field which has worn away the lower portions of Liberty's face, but the stars, date and lettering are all well separated from the rim, on the reverse we note the lower half of the coin has the rim worn well into the lettering and design elements, while the top half grades a solid good. Always in demand, 1804 quarters are very scarce in all grades, and are seldom offered at all.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.

Lot 282
1804, B-2, R-6. ACG graded Fine-12 our grade Sharpness of VG but damaged on the rim. A significant example of this rare variety. This coin has good detail on the devices, but the rims are marred by several nicks and a few bumps. These marks are not out of the ordinary for a coin of this period and grade but do detract somewhat. Toned a steel gray in the fields, with lighter silver on the devices. Identifiable by a nick on the right side and below on the tenth star on the reverse, and a rim mark between NI on the reverse, and another left of the date. Seldom offered and well deserving of a strong bid despite the problems.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.

Lot 283
1804, B-2, R-6. SEGS graded Fair-2 "B-2". A very rare coin in all grades, even in this fairly well circulated condition. The date is clear, with the diagnostic location of the 4 closer to the bust than to the 0 in the date, very clear to the unaided eye. The peripheral stars are worn into the rim, by most of LIBERTY is readable and the outline of Liberty herself is complete with some details present of her ear and curls. On the reverse it shows more wear, but the design elements at the center are easy to make out although much of the legend has worn away. The 1998 (most recent) Condition Census published in the John Reich Journal notes only 7 examples reported of this variety, with the finest noted as Fine-18. Locating any specimen of this variety is a challenge for the die variety specialist, even in this grade.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.

Lot 284
1805, B-1, R-5. Sharpness of VG-7 but harshly cleaned. This one has been cleaned in an acid bath as the surfaces are uniformly and lightly etched. Retoned to a pleasing and natural appearing darker gray at the rims, lighter at the centers. We note the devices are all well struck, and this one could like be improved if given a chance. A scarce variety and still worth a good bid despite its surface problems.
Estimated Value $120-140.

Lot 285
1805, B-1, R-5. Good-5. Darker gray in the fields, lighter on the devices. We note a rim mark at the last star on the obverse, and this may have slightly bent this coin. The obverse has good separation of the rim from the design elements, the reverse shows more wear, but all lettering and devices can be made out. A rare variety which is hard to find in any grade.
Estimated Value $120-140.

Lot 286
1805, B-1, R-5. About Good-3. Nearly a grade better, but some of the reverse lettering is worn to the rims at the top. A scarce die pairing which is hard to find at all. A dozen of this variety were noted in the 1998 John Reich Journal Quarter Census.
Estimated Value $200-275.

Lot 287
1805, B-2b, R-3 for the variety, R-7 for the die state. About Good-3. This is a coin that a true collector will love. Despite the moderate grade and uneven wear, the heavy die crack through the last few stars is present, confirming the variety at a glance. Apparently, this obverse die cracked very badly along the last four stars, which brought on its retirement suddenly. Once this heavy die crack formed, it would only take the striking of a few more coins to blow this loose die section out of the die in a spectacular shower of die steel, forming a full cud. The coiners could not ignore such and event, and coinage could only continue if the supervisor wasn't looking, and the coiner didn't have another die at the ready to replace the broken one. The obverse has a couple of thin pin scratches horizontally through Liberty, and we note a small dig in the lower right field. Unevenly worn on the left side through the stars, and similar on the reverse, where there are a couple of minor pin scratches on the upper left and the wear is also uneven. A rare opportunity to secure this very difficult die state.
Estimated Value $125-175.

Lot 288
1805, B-4, R-4. ANACS graded Fine-12. A scarce variety that is difficult to locate in high grades. This one has dark gray fields which are somewhat mottled, and much lighter silver color on the devices. Weak on the central shield, diagnostic for the variety. These early quarters are just starting to get the attention they deserve, after years of languishing new references are available and being published with new information on rarity and die states, and we expect more and more collectors to discover these important early coins and the joys of forming a variety set.
Estimated Value $300-350.

Lot 289
1805, B-5, High R-6. About Good-3. A very rare coin in any grade, this variety is virtually never offered for sale in any grade. The surfaces show moderate wear expected on a coin of this grade, and the color is a normal gray with darker blue at the rims. We note the lower left reverse lettering has worn to the rim, and there are a couple of minor scrapes near the right edge above ME. While not the finest known of the variety, this is certainly a very respectable example of this extremely difficult die pairing! Don't miss out if you need this variety.
Estimated Value $400-UP.

Lot 291
1806, B-2, R-4. PCGS graded AU-50. Here is a top Condition Census example of this die variety, which is tied for the finest seen in the 1998 John Reich Journal Quarter Census. This one is sharply struck by the dies, the toning is pleasing with a darker blue gray color around the periphery, lighter at the centers. We note some faint hairlines from circulation, and a few ticks at the central reverse from limited circulation. A highlight of this extensive quarter variety collection, and worth a strong bid.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,700.

Lot 292
1806, B-3, R-1. ANACS graded Fine-15. One of the two most common varieties of the year 1806, this particular coin boasts lovely even silver color on both sides, and pleasant surfaces. The reverse strike is weak, as always seen on this die pairing.
Estimated Value $275-325.

Lot 293
1806, B-3 and B-9a, both grade VG. A nice pair of these common varieties, both have natural gray toning and even wear. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $300-350.

Lot 294
1806, B-4, R-4. PCGS graded VF-25. Mottled gray toning on both sides, and the surfaces are generally clean for the grade. As always, the central reverse show diagnostic weakness. We note some colorful blue toning splashes near the reverse rim. Something damaged the reverse die on this die variety, examination will note a small circular area on the lower left side of the vertical shield lines on this coin and the other examples of this die pairing as well. Probably in the top half dozen known today, although the census available is from 1998, where this coin would be tied for the second finest with one other at this grade level. Needless to say, this is an important and rare offering in a highly collectible grade.
Estimated Value $500-750.

Lot 295
1806, B-4b, R-4. VG-7. Cleaned long ago and retoned to a light silvery gray at the centers, with iridescent hues around the periphery. Weakly struck at the central reverse as always. A very well balanced example of this die state, with a reverse crack from the rim down the left side of the first S of STATES. A scarce die pairing, and one that will please most variety collectors.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Purchased from Kingswood Galleries Sale 8/90:6422.

Lot 296
1806, B-4b, R-4. Good-5. This one is nearly the "C' die state with a thin crack through the left side of the 6 in the date. The surfaces are a very light silver color, and the coin is evenly worn on both sides. One tick on the rim below the bust.
Estimated Value $110-130.

Lot 297
1806, B-5, low Rarity-6. NGC graded VF-20. Here is a very nice example of this rare variety, the surfaces are toned a medium gray, with lighter silver on the devices on the obverse, the reverse similar but we note some minor scattered dark specks. As well struck as this die pairing comes, with minor weakness on two of the upper left stars on the reverse, and the shield weakness as well. Early die state, with the crack thin from the wingtip to the rim on the left. Worth a premium for the variety, and hard to find this well preserved, and this one may be at the low end of the Condition Census of the top dozen known.
Estimated Value $500-600.

Lot 298
1806, B-5, low R-6. ANACS graded VG-8. One of the three rarest varieties of 1806, the B-5 and B-6 are very difficult to locate in all grades, and the B-8 perhaps remains as the most difficult. Medium gray with some lilac hues in the field and well struck on the obverse, the reverse weak at the central shield as always seen for this die pairing. The first star is well away from Liberty's curl, and the second feather tip down on the left wing has a die crack to the rim. With a few more turning up of this variety than the others, the B-5 may be nearing the rarity-5 level, and we'll await another Condition Census to find out.
Estimated Value $325-425.

Lot 299
1806, B-5b, R-6. Sharpness of VF-35 but scrubbed. A very late die state example with the heavy die crack through the Y into the field below, continuing in a jagged fashion through the tip of Liberty's nose, and we note an additional die crack from the rim down through the center of the I in LIBERTY. An excellent die study piece despite its problems, and should retone if given a chance.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 301
1806, B-6, R-6. Sharpness of About Good-3 but repaired in the fields. One of the very scarce 1806 varieties, which is seldom offered in any grade whatsoever. This one has been repaired in both obverse fields to buff out some scratches or graffiti. Extensive wear, but the diagnostics are present to identify the variety. An important coin in all grades, and this one may serve a collector for years until a finer example is offered.
Estimated Value $150-UP.

Lot 302
1806, B-8, low R-7/high R-6. Good-5. This is probably the rarest variety of the year 1806, and thought to be a bit scarcer than the B-6 combination. A very choice coin for the grade, with steel gray color and even wear throughout. The diagnostic triangular defect in the reverse die below the C of the denomination is clear, and the obverse the R above the foot of T is also clear. It will be very interesting in a few years as more census data comes out just how rare some of these varieties are, but experience tells us to buy all the rare ones offered, as it might be a long spell before another turns up. Only 8 examples were reported in the 1998 John Reich Bust Quarter Census, and we doubt if many more have turned up, but we'll estimate the number at 12 to perhaps 15 known until the revised census figures come out.
Estimated Value $300-500.
Purchased privately a year ago.

Lot 303
1806, B-10, R-5. Fine-15. On this die combination, the Philadelphia Mint finally produced some well struck coins, including the central shield on the reverse. This particular one is a light gray with darker flecks near the devices. Scarce and popular, this variety was not included in the Browning book and awaited later discovery. This specimen is an early die state. A pleasing coin overall, and would be a handsome addition to a variety collection.
Estimated Value $300-350.

Lot 304
1807, B-1, R-3. Fine-15. Cleaned long ago and the surface are still slightly rough, and hairlines can be seen with a glass. We also note a small mark at the juncture of the left wing and shield, and a thin scratch in the lower shield to the tail. Strongly clashed dies, as always, and similar to the 1807 clashed die dime. The coin pressmen of 1807 didn't seem to mind clash marks! A well struck example.
Estimated Value $300-350.

Lot 305
1807, B-2b, R-3. VF-35. Cleaned and nicely retoned to a sunset gold at the centers, with hints of blue at the edge on the obverse, the reverse more of a gray blue color. Sharply struck and well preserved, without significant handling marks or bumps. The reverse crack spans from the T in UNITED to the O in OF to both rims, and we note a die line from the right wing second feather down towards the rim below, and another die line from the foot of the first T in STATES left up into the S, and Liberty's bust is clashed on the upper right of the reverse, as expected.
Estimated Value $500-550.

Lot 306
1805 B-2, B-3, and B-4, grades from AG-3 to Good. A well matched trio for the variety collector. Each has medium gray toning and even wear on the devices. It has probably been many years since all 5 varieties of 1805 quarters were offered in a single sale. Needless to say, collectors should bid accordingly, as these die varieties are just coming into their own, and we expect them to do quite well with the growing collector interest in the series. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $250-350.