Lot 507
1918/7-S Liberty Standing Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. A splendid white gem specimen of this classic 20th century rarity. The intense satiny mint luster makes this example remarkable. Within the Standing Liberty quarter series there are expensive issues that show up from time to time (we all know which ones those are) but none is quite as famous as the most illustrious issue of them all: the Overdate 1918-S.
A breathtaking, nearly pristine specimen and, like the a regular format 1918-S in this enviable grade, it glows with vibrant satiny frost. The obverse is partially detailed on the head and in the small central shield; some of the rivets do not show but most do; the date, which is on a raised base (and caused early wear and obliteration once these reached circulation) is boldly defined with the 8 over 7 feature plain to the naked eye. Similarly satiny white, the reverse is almost totally void of marks. We note a few on the chest and in the wing feathers. There is a tiny mar on the inner border of the rim at the 3 o'clock position close to a star point, which can be used as an identifier.
One of the finest graded of this classic rarity, we must emphasize that this date is virtually unobtainable with a full head on Liberty, although an occasional choice one is offered from time to time. One of the great rarities of the last century, few overdates were created in the 20th century, and all are eagerly sought by collectors. Perhaps one thousand of these exist, the grading services having seen several hundred in all grades. It is unlikely that more are out there in coin land still sitting in albums since knowledge of this important rarity has been well publicized for more than half a century now. This piece has the minute diagnostics noted in the Breen Encyclopedia. The overdate feature is plain without a glass. Apparently in the rush to get dies prepared during the business expansion of the First World War, one 1918 die received a blow from the 1917 master hub, then the hub was switched to the 1918 hub, and the die was struck again. No one noticed the overdate, and the die was shipped and put into production at the San Francisco Mint, much to the delight of collectors. Pop 4; 2 finer, 1 in 66, 1 in 67.
Estimated Value $65,000 - 70,000.
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