1823 Proof Capped Bust Quarter - 1823/2

Coin Details

Auction Record

$396,563 PR64 06-23-2014 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1823 Proof Capped Bust Quarter - 1823/2 is a proof quarter struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Capped Bust Quarters 1815-1838 series. This is an overdate variety — the 1823 date was punched over a die originally dated 1822. In the early U.S. Mint, dies were expensive to produce, so rather than discard a die engraved with the previous year's date, Mint workers would punch the new date digits over the old ones. The traces of the original date remain visible under magnification, creating a die variety prized by collectors and cataloged by die variety specialists. With a mintage of 1, this is an extremely rare issue — the scarcer of two mint variants, with 0% of total production. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a mob cap or turban and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Struck during a period of national unity and westward expansion following the War of 1812, as the U.S. grew in confidence and territory. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Auction record: $396,563 PR64 06-23-2014 Heritage Auctions. Struck in 89.2% silver, 10.8% copper, weighing 6.74 grams, 27.5 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #5368.