Lot 1684
1918-S. 8 over 7. PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. 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.
This one has lovely rose gold toning over very lustrous surfaces. A few minor hairlines are noted on both sides. The strike is better than usually seen with more than half of Liberty's head showing. A couple of the bosses (the little shield bullets) are weak, as always. Bold overdate, with the 7 very clear beneath the 8. As to the PCGS Population Report, only 19 have been graded as such, with an additional 5 with a full head. Only 7 coins have been graded technically higher, none of which have a full head. Pretty meager pickin's if you want a high grade example of this date. We urge specialists to view this lovely example, and expect to pay a premium for its sparkling luster and delicate toning. This is truly the king of the series.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
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