Lot 2198
1918-S, 8 over 7. ICG graded AU-50. Here is the key date to the series, discovered in 1937 long after most had entered circulation. Searching has turned up a few in mint state, but this date remains very rare in all grades. Apparently the crush was on in late 1917 to produce lots of quarters. Anthony Comstock and his cohorts had forced the mints to change the original MacNeil design of a bare breasted Liberty by covering over her with a chain mail top. Philadelphia had to produce new master hubs, barely in time to get new dies shipped to Denver and San Francisco, further dies had to be produced for 1918, which were made late in 1917 for shipment to the branch mints. Apparently one die was first struck by the 1917 hub, then somehow mixed back in with the dies and received a second blow from the 1918 hub, creating the overdate.
Here is a charming example of this classic overdate. The strike is nearly complete for this die as the head, about half struck, has 2 leaves visible in Liberty's crown and the shield lacks only a few rivets. The important overdate feature is quite clear. No signs of cleaning or mishandling with the surfaces overlaid with natural antique toning. A famous rarity that will no doubt bring strong interest from collectors of the Standing Liberty Quarter series. Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,000
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