1807 25C B-1 Draped Bust Quarter (Rare VLDS) PCGS F12

This is a special 1807 Draped Bust Quarter. It was acquired recently from a European Collection (London) put together in the 1940s and 1950s. This coin was raw and stored in a 2X2 envelope until it was recently graded and authenticated by PCGS. I purchased it from a dealer who purchased in from the collector's estate in London.

This coin toned beatutifully while stored in the old envelope and has great eye appeal for the assigned grade.  This is a hard example to grade as the die was worn and had been lapped when struck, resulting in the stars on the left being "flat and small" with much of the lower curl in Liberty's hair missing above and to the left of the 1 in the date.  On the other hand, the balance of the coin looks more like VF and has hints of lustre here and there. All of the shield lines are separated. Overall the coin is an attractive medium gray, with Liberty having a cameo look (wtih slightly lighter gray toning).  

This coin is sturck from Die State B in Early Quarters Dollars of the United States Mint, only the fourth example of this extremely rare die state reported to author and early quarter dollar specialist Rory Rea.  This die state is equivalent to Tompkins Die Stage 5 in his book, Early United States Quarters 1796 - 1838.

For those interested, Die State B is described in the quarter book as, "Dies heavily lapped reducing the size of stars.  Some curls are missing.  All devices are smaller and further apart from each other.  NO cracks seen on obverse.  Die chip develops in 7."  A partial photo of this die state can be found on the top right of page 75 in the book.