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Replies: 14 / Views: 797 |
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Valued Member
United States
310 Posts |
Short question, could this quarter possibly be a proof? I ask because of the incredibly sharp strike, obv. & rev. I've spent the past 45 or 50 minutes surfing the web for like images in grades from ms60 - ms67. Nothing even comes close in the uncirculated grades. The closest I could come was an NGC PR62 (ebay item # 374473068770). All others, no matter the grade had far less detail from head to toe, obv. & rev. The curious thing about the 1854 Seated quarter, is that " Red Book" doesn't list any proofs being produced in 1854. Believe me when I tell you, the pictures do not do the coin in hand any justice. Especially the obv. *** Edited by Staff to Add Year to Title. It's very important to have in the title. ***   
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Valued Member
United States
263 Posts |
Edited by Oldgrouchyguy 01/26/2023 6:13 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
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Valued Member
United States
310 Posts |
Quote:So it's possible just highly unlikely. It would need to be certified as such by a TPG.  I agree, it's just that the strike is so sharp and detailed. I have a lot of uncirculated Seated coins in all denominations and nonecome close. 
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Pillar of the Community
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9254 Posts |
The rims don't appear to be as squared off as a proof would be. Though this coin would need to be seen and verified by a real expert, there are a few I can think of off hand, Larry Briggs of course and Gerry Fortin, Greg Johnson, Len Augsburger just to name a few. I would trust these guys over any of the TPG companies word. Per Walter Breen there are probably an exceedingly low number in existence somewhere around 15 or less. As rare as my favorite coin the 1864 Small Motto Proof. Must have verification from multiple sources I'd say. Here is the Coin Facts page for the 1854 proof: https://www.PCGS.com/coinfacts/coin...-arrows/5550There are some very high resolution photos through it. From my friend Ron Guth on the PCGS Coin Facts site he states: Ron Guth: Quote:
Proof 1854 Quarter Dollars are exceedingly rare. Estimates of ten to fifteen examples have been floated about, which seems to be be reasonable (we have images of nine demonstrably different examples, plus there are some examples we have not seen or for which we have not yet obtained images). The quality of the surviving examples is pretty good, usually in the PR64 to PR65 range, indicating that collectors purchased them and protected them well. Most are brilliant Proofs, though there are some Cameo examples. Unlike the Proof 1853 Arrows & Rays Proof Quarters, these are all convincing Proofs. The examples with the highest numerical grades are two NGC PR66's: one from the Pittman Collection and another from the Eliasberg Collection.
He says the proofs that do exist are fairly convincingly proofs and not business strikes, so the proof coins that are known, all seem to be pretty obvious.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1982, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC) #6202, Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), Conder Token Collector Club (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS), & Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS) Member in good standing, 2˘ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440
Edited by westcoin 01/26/2023 7:34 pm
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Valued Member
United States
310 Posts |
Quote: How sharp is the Reeding? well, I posted 4 pictures and the reeding looks pretty sharp to me. All I have is this foolish cell phone for pics. Quote: Does it match to known Proof die variety(ies)? Beats the heck out of me.  Quote: Can you match the obverse die to this one? Sure looks close to me,  but that's why I've posted here. I have no idea what, if any die markers to look for. Thanks
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9254 Posts |
Every proof I've looked at under high resolution photos has this one area in common, check against your quarter. Look to the arm holding the liberty pole with the phrygian cap on it. There appears to be a thread like area that is raised on the forearm of Liberty. See these blow ups I made from PCGS images:    While it's not an exact guarantee that this is found on all the proofs, it's a good bet from what I can see scanning around the coins surfaces looking for something different. 
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1982, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC) #6202, Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), Conder Token Collector Club (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS), & Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS) Member in good standing, 2˘ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440
Edited by westcoin 01/26/2023 7:47 pm
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Valued Member
United States
310 Posts |
Quote: Every proof I've looked at under high resolution photos has this one area in common, check against your quarter. Look to the arm holding the liberty pole with the phrygian cap on it. There appears to be a thread like area that is raised on the forearm of Liberty. Judging buy that "thread like area" I guess I've struck out. I am still super happy with the amazing detail this quarter has. Thank-you all very much. Alpha33 out........................................
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9254 Posts |
Only my theory, that as I'm no LSQ expert I'm just going off what I can find on photos of known coins, so it's likely that all proofs have that same marking, but no guarantee. Still get it looked at by a pro it is a nice looking LSQ no matter what.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1982, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC) #6202, Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), Conder Token Collector Club (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS), & Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS) Member in good standing, 2˘ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440
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Valued Member
United States
263 Posts |
Because sometimes Proof dies are "retired" to Business-strike use: when all else fails, if you are familiar with what reeding looks like on Business-strike coins, then the Proof struck reeding will stick-out pretty well. If you think that you do have a Proof strike, then line-up the Date-over-Denticles, etc to the known Proof die. Placement has to exactly match.
Edited by Oldgrouchyguy 01/26/2023 10:39 pm
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All of them on Heritage have that vein on the arm, for what it's worth. On several though it's almost impossible to see and I had to kind of imagine it.
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1690 Posts |
Looks like a nice UNC circulation strike.
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( I'm no pro, it's just my humble opinion ) Searched 6.5 +/- Million Cents Since 1971
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It's a beautiful coin regardless.
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.artToo many hobbies .... too much work .... not enough time.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 797 |
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