Lot 696
1828. Browning-4. Quarter dollar. Extremely Rare Proof Issue and 1828 JR-1 Dime Proof. The Quarter in NGC graded PF-62 and the 1828 dime is not certified but grades Proof 63. The 1828 Quarter is a rare proof issue and it has an illustrious pedigree. The coin itself is toned with antique gold hues on both sides, fading to deep blue at the rims, and brilliant at the centers. As expected, the mirror fields show moderate disturbances and hairlines from a past cleaning, but these are not too distracting. Breen, in his Proofs Encyclopedia, lists seven known of this variety, with a few others not attributed, as well as a few proofs from other die pairings. This coin is the first listed for the variety in that reference work. All told, perhaps a dozen were coined in proof. Examination of the strike will note no signs of weakness on the stars, branch, claws or feathers, areas which are often poorly struck on these.
As to the 1828 dime, it has antique steel gray in color with deeper blue tones at the rims of both sides. This is one of just five proofs of this date that are confirmed to exist, and as Breen notes others that claim to be proof lack the proper striking qualities. Listed as #3 in Breen's Proof Encyclopedia, and a well known and pedigreed specimen of this rare proof issue. The strike is outstanding, many of the reverse letters show slight doubling from the second strike, and both sides have the knife rim familiar to proof collectors. Identifiable by a tiny planchet flaw between the wing and the M of AMERICA. We note tiny rust pits below the left side of the eagle's neck.
Our consignor wanted these two coins sold together as they been together pretty much since their first known auction appearance in 1898. Truly an exceptional pair for the specialist to long enjoy. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $5,500-UP.
The Quarter is from S. H. and H. C. Chapman's sale of the Thomas Cleneay Collection, 12/9-13/1890: 1340; Christian Allenburger Sale, 1948: 842; New Netherlands (T. James Clark) 47th Sale, 1956: 1514; Stack's Eugene Gardner Collection Sale 1965: 1630; RARCOA's session of Auction '82, 1982:713; Superior's Session of Auction '90, 1990:1076; Bowers and Merena's Miller Sale: 11-1992: 1675.
The dime is from S. H. and H. C. Chapman's sale of the Thomas Cleneay Collection, 12/9-13/1890: 1501; exhibited at the ANS in 1914; Lester Merkin Sale, April 17, 1970, lot 484; Kamal Ahwash, April 24, 1979 privately; Stack's sale of the Allen Lovejoy Collection, 10/16/90:89 and Bowers and Merena's Miller Sale 11/92:1674.
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