I hesitate some on this being a proof.
There are two 1875 proof die pair. The first proof die pair (Briggs 4E) has an obverse die with a very low date, slanting downward to the right. The date here is higher than that. That obverse die only shows centrils in stars 12 and 13, and has recut "7" and "5" in the date. This obverse die doesn't show centrils in stars 12 and 13, but has clear centrils in stars 5, 6, and 7. The photo isn't clear enough to see the detail in the date. That die pair's reverse die has an E-W die scratch near the middle of the eagle's right wing (our visual left). I see a scratch near that location on this coin, but I can't tell whether it is from contact or is a die scratch.
The second proof die pair (Briggs 5F) has a high date sloping upward from left to right, with all of the stars sharp and showing centrils. This obverse lacks centrils on stars 1, 2, and 10-13, and has weak centrils on stars 3, 4, and 8. That proof is paired with an 1872 proof reverse die (listed as reverse C in 1872). That reverse has a distinctive gouge on the left side of the lower shield, extending into the first open space and a die chip in the upper shield above the fourth cluster of vertical lines. I don't see either of those markers on this coin.
On the other hand, I see some indications that could match business strike with die pair Briggs 3C. That obverse die has a mid-level date sloping downward from left to right, with centrils only on stars 5, 6, and 7. This coin has a date in that general position, and sharp centrils 5, 6, and 7. However, this coin also has some visible portions of the centrils in stars 3, 4, and 8. The reverse die C paired with that obverse has recut verticals on the shield (which one of the proof dies also has), and has a "die lump" on the eagle's upper left wing in line with the lower right leg of the first "A" in AMERICA. I
think I can see that "die lump," but I'm not sure. The photo isn't clear enough to be sure, but again, I
think I see recutting on the verticals in the shield.
Quite a few of the 1875 business strike quarters are well struck, are semi-prooflike or prooflike, and can even have partial cameos.
I'm tentative on this. It may be a proof, but I am leaning toward it being a nice early example of a Briggs 3C business strike.
Here are the links to the online version of Briggs'
guide for the 1875 quarter and the
1872 quarter (to see the proof reverse markers for the 1875 5F proof). Don't let the URL reference to "
Seated dime Varieties" throw you. That site has the links to the
Seated quarter volumes as well, and that's what I linked here.
Sharper and better cropped photos would help.
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Posted 10/30/2025 01:20 am
