The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States

Quarter Dollars of 1838

Since the quarter dollar of this year was issued in two types, the Bust, and Liberty Seated, with the total coinage of 832,000 pieces covering both, the number of pieces made of either type is unknown.

But one variety of the Bust type is known.

No. 1

Obverse: In the date 8 is practically not under curl, right side of 8 is about in line with left side of curl; upper left star points to upper part of lower curl; lower left star most distant from bust, with upper and lower right somewhat nearer and about equally distant from cap and hair.

Reverse: From the same die as 1837 [Browning] 2.

Only the one variety.

Browning-1; Clapp-1; Duphorne-88; included in Breen-3894; Haseltine-1.

Rarity-1.

Die States: I. Perfect.
II. Head clash marked on reverse, shield on neck.
III. Crack, lower arrowhead through period to olive leaves. Rare.
IV. Crack crossing bust, nearly joining first star and final 8. WGC:143, EF; Gilhousen:613, Ruby III:523, Auction '82:1124, Uncirculated. Very rare.

Proofs:
1, Philip Straus Estate, NN 53:730, Eugene Gardner, privately sold before the 1965 auction, whereabouts unknown. This is possibly ex McCoy:517, W.A. Lilliendahl.
2. NN 5/1/54, Norweb:1561, $30,800.
Plentiful in all grades including Mint State; dozens survive in Uncirculated though during the late 1950s claims were made that the date is rare choice and some unduly high auction results followed.

Numerical Condition Census (RWM, Sr. [circa 1992]): 65, 65, 65, 65, 65, 64. Many 63's.