Lot 1067
1796 Draped Bust Quarter Dollar. NGC graded AU-58 PL. Browning-2. Fully white. Well struck with nice prooflike surfaces. A very popular first year type coin. As the only issue in the Draped Bust, Small Eagle Quarter series, the 1796 is a must-have coin for the serious type collector. It is also a scarce date with a paltry original mintage of 6,146 pieces. This is an attractive mid-grade survivor whose surfaces are richly toned in dominant silver-gray shades. Outlines of deeper charcoal-gray patina are also seen around many of the obverse devices. The strike is expertly centered, all border denticles full with crisp definition. Liberty's portrait on the obverse is overall sharply defined, this despite moderate wear from time spent in circulation. On the reverse, the eagle is a bit more softly impressed, particularly over the head, but the wear on that side is also evenly distributed. There are a few wispy grazes here and there, but we stress that the surfaces are uncommonly smooth in appearance for an early U.S. silver coin that saw this extensive wear. Historically significant as a survivor of the United States' premier Quarter, this Choice VF example would make a lovely addition to any collection. Pop 3; 1 in 61 PL; 2 in 64 PL; Only 6 graded Prooflike at NGC. (PCGS # 5310) .
Rarity-3. The "High 6" variety of the issue, one of just two known die pairings for this low mintage single year type. This is the variety of 1796 that is most often seen. Early state: The obverse of this example is perfect, with no die cracks through LIBERTY. (On the more mature die state examples, several heavy die cracks have formed through ERTY and star 9.).
Estimated Value $55,000 - 60,000.
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