1804 Draped Bust Quarter Dollar. B-1. Rarity-3. MS-64 (PCGS). Norman Stack, in our sale of the Bareford Collection, gave this description: "Brilliant Uncirculated and a simply magnificent example of this great rarity. Fully frosty and sharply struck but for a small area on the reverse at the upper two stars and adjacent clouds. Full hair detail as well as a perfectly struck eagle. Exquisite light iridescent toning with russet highlights."

Norman went on to describe seven Mint State coins known to him. He considered this to be the rarest of all quarters in Mint State.

Quarter dollars of the several dates combining the Draped Bust obverse with Heraldic Eagle reverse were made in sufficient quantities that none is a rarity today in circulated grades, although the 1804 is considered to be rarer than the others. Examples of the dates 1805-1807 abound in the marketplace, generally in worn grades, but with the occasional Mint State piece, and nearly always with weak striking, particularly in the last year, 1807. For those building a type set, the aspect of finding a decent strike of this design will be the greatest challenge in the quarter dollar series. The Pogue specimen is remarkable for its sharpness—not complete but very close.

The Higgy Collection sale mentioned below was conducted during World War II when cash was common but consumer goods were scarce. Many of the coins brought double and triple their estimates. In later years Abe Kosoff was fond of saying that this singular event was the launching pad for the wide expansion of the market that took place at the time.

Provenance: From Numismatic Gallery’s (Abe Kosoff) sale of the Michael F. Higgy Collection, September 1943, lot 323; this was one year before Abner Kreisberg became a partner; our sale of the Harold S. Bareford Collection, October 1981, lot 323.

Rarities Auction Accompanying the D. Brent Pogue Collection

Stack’s Bowers Galleries will be hosting an exclusive Rarities Auction, held in conjunction with The D. Brent Pogue Collection. We will be accepting limited consignments of United States and world coins and paper money, featured in a spectacular catalog reserved for the rarest of the rare. Special terms will apply. If you are interested in participating in this unique opportunity, please call 949-748-4849 or email us at [email protected].

Alternatively, you can fill out our online consignment form. Click here to view the form.