Lot 329
1874 Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar. Arrows. NGC graded MS-67. A silky smooth Gem, mostly white in color, with a hint of toning forming at the rims. The surfaces are simply luscious, with a strong "cartwheel" effect on both sides. Impeccable quality and a wonderful strike. NGC reports only two examples at this level, with none graded finer.
The arrowheads on either side of the date signify an increase in the weight of the coin from 6.22 to 6.25 grams. The underlying purpose of the change had nothing to do with the relationship of the coin's intrinsic and face values (as it did in 1853, when arrowheads were first used to signify a weight reduction). Rather, the change was made to introduce the metric system into our coinage. Beginning in 1873, coins would no longer be weighed in grains, but in grams. Thus, the 96 grain standard for the Quarter would become 6.25 grams instead. In reality, this was an insignificant change, as the tolerances for the planchets would have allowed the old standard of 6.22 grams under the new standard! However, the change was meant to be cultural, or scientific, or psychological, but not really physical. No one hefting an 1874 Quarter could tell a difference of .03 grams, but they might ask "What is the meaning of the arrowheads on either side of the date?" The answer: "We've converted to the metric system?" Which leads to a second question (one still being asked by many Americans today), "What's that?".
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
|
| |
| Realized $17,250 |
