The June 4, 2000, Dr. Jon Kardatzke Collection Parts II & III, Sale 5
Lot 1194 
1865. Sharpness of VF-20 but lightly smoothed on the obverse. The obverse has been lightly smoothed on Liberty's face and in the adjacent field, probably to lessen circulation marks. This work is visible only with a glass and is not readily apparent. Smooth wear otherwise, and a decidedly rare date that boasts a tiny mintage of 1,520 in all, of which perhaps 15 pieces remain to satisfy date collectors. This rarity would fit harmoniously in a high grade circulated date set.
Lot 1195
1871-S. VF-30. Natural surfaces for the grade and well struck. Scarce, with just 22,000 made in 1871. Loads of original dirt in the reeding on the edge.
Lot 1196 
1874. NGC graded MS-60. Only 3,920 struck for circulation, this one is very frosty on Liberty with a hint of prooflike surface in the fields. The reverse has moderate handling marks from bags, and hairlines. Nevertheless, this mint state example with find a treasured place in a date collectors set.
Lot 1197
1877-S. AU-58. Semi-prooflike and well struck for this low mintage date (35,400). A glass will note some minor tick marks on both sides, but this is a beautiful coin that boasts nearly new luster and is scarcely seen in grades this high.
Lot 1198
1878 (2 pieces) and 1878-S. Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated. The S-mint is AU, while the other two are EF. Total of 3 coins.
Lot 1199
1879-S. EF-40. Old-time deep-gold color, nice strike, real clean!
Lot 1200 
1881. AU-50. Check the mintage on this date, only 640 were coined for circulation. This one has prooflike fields and was certainly struck by the same dies that were used to strike the few proof examples of 1881. A glass will note some minor scuffs on Liberty's face, but they blend well with the usual circulation marks. Perhaps 40 are known in all grades, this one of the better ones that entered circulation.
Many collectors work on date sets of these interesting pieces. Soon they learn that it is very important to buy the rare ones whenever they are offered. You can always buy the common dates, they are common today and will be common tomorrow, but the rare dates are always rare and seldom offered. A worthy coin for the specialist to own.
Lot 1201 
1885. ANACS graded Proof 60. A classic rare date, slightly impaired by numerous small abrasions, indicating it "hit the streets" during the Depression (most probably) when money was needed in all forms. One long mark on Liberty's face, otherwise just field marks. 87 Proofs coined along with only 800 business strikes (most of which perished long, long ago). According to the Pop Reports, there aren't 150 Quarter Eagles left of this date anywhere. If you want to own a genuinely rare coin, consider chasing this a bit!
It was in 1885 that the Washington Monument was opened in the Nation's capitol, at that time the tallest masonry building in the world. Its construction, begun in 1848, was interrupted by the Civil War and then by money and building problems. Native Indians had been rounded up and confined to reservations in Oklahoma, a wasteland in 1885, but even this land would soon be denied to them when oil became a new industry. And one of the Civil War's great heroes, Ulysses S. Grant, a proponent of economic policies that ultimately drove the Indians from the reservations, died this year at the age of 63 of stomach cancer; his funeral in New York City occurred over two days as thousands of ordinary Americans and a host of dignitaries (President Cleveland along with many War heroes, including Generals Sherman and Sheridan) paid their respects and buried him in the famous Tomb, on which was planted a vine from Napoleon's grave. The 19th century was drawing to a close, and mementoes of its artistry, like this golden issue, would soon become classics never to be made again.
Lot 1202 
1890. MS-61. A choice coin for the grade that boasts original coppery toning and crisply struck devices. One of the low mintage dates, with just 8,720 struck for circulation. Broken out of an NGC holder where this coin was conservatively graded MS 61.
Lot 1203
1901. PCGS graded AU-55. For the grade, just beautiful. Two-tone yellow and orange gold. Bold strike.
Lot 1204
1904. MS-60. Lightly cleaned and retoned to a flashy gold color. Excellent surfaces and very appealing.
Lot 1205
1906. MS-63. Fully struck with lovely surfaces and satiny luster, nary a tick on either side, but a couple of tiny marks on the rims and some extremely faint lines.
Lot 1206
1908. EF-45. Lightly circulated.
Lot 1207
1908. EF-40. Average surfaces.
Lot 1208
1909. AU-50. Light wear.
Lot 1209
1909. VF-20. Honest wear, no damage, natural color.
Lot 1210
1910. EF-45. There is a very light and hidden scratch on the lower reverse.
Lot 1211
1911. PCGS graded MS-64. A lovely coin for the grade, full mint luster, very few signs of contact on either side, and well preserved.
Lot 1212
1911. AU-55. Nearly new, with original luster and untoned.
Lot 1213
1911. EF-45. Lightly circulated.
Lot 1214 
1911-D. PCGS graded AU-58. The key date to this short and popular series. For once, the D mintmark is plainly visible, making this more desirable than the weak mintmark variety. A glass notes light wear from brief circulation, which makes this an excellent candidate for a mint state set at about half the price of a choice coin.
Lot 1215 
1911-D. EF-40 weak "D". Light wear on the upper devices, but nice for the grade. The "D" mintmark is very weak but clearly visible with a glass. The key date of the Indian head quarters, with a scant 55,680 struck.
Lot 1216
1912. EF-40. A few scrapes from circulation.
Lot 1217
1912, 1913 and 1929. Mint State 60 or better. The first two are typical for the grade, but the 1929 has a pin scratch on the obverse. Lot of 3 coins.
Lot 1218
1913. VF-35. There are some light hairline scratches on the reverse from circulation or slight mishandling.
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