1796 25C Browning 2 MS64 NGC
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1796 25C B-2, R.3, MS64 NGC. The 1796 quarter was an inherently difficult coin to produce at the early Mint. The specified weight was 6.74 grams, with a composition of .8924 silver and .1076 copper. The specified diameter of the coin was 27.5 mm with a reeded edge. To allow the specified amount of metal in a coin with such a large diameter, the planchets had to be unusually thin. The round planchets were cut from sheet metal of the required composition that had been repeatedly drawn through horse-powered rollers. The distance between the rollers was reduced with each pass until the desired thickness was attained. Before each pass, the metal sheets were annealed to make the metal softer and more ductile. It was necessary to repeat this process more times than usual to prepare the quarter planchets. In addition to the extra work involved in rolling, many of the planchets became brittle because of the repeated annealing. When the coins were struck on the screw press, some of the brittle planchets developed edge splits, and small pieces of metal broke off. The effects of this process can be seen on many 1796 quarters today. The strike is particularly sharp on this Browning-2 example, especially on the obverse. Crisp definition shows throughout the devices -- even the star centers and Liberty's upper hair strands are bold. Likewise, the reverse has a better-than-average strike, with surprising detail showing on the eagle's head. The eagle's nostril shows plainly, a detail rarely seen on this variety. The fields are free of distractions, and lovely lilac and gray toning accents both sides accompanied by prooflike field iridescence for outstanding eye appeal. This near-Gem coin is one of several MS64 examples tied for fourth place on the Condition Census as presented by Rea-Koenings-Haroutunian. Among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. (#69 in the 6th edition). NGC Census (both 1796 varieties): 8 in 64, 4 finer (7/26). Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2009), lot ...
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