TWO 1806 Draped Bust quarters for your enjoyment (caution: spam potential)

[James_OldeTowne]

These are B-3, the most common die-marriage for 1806, characterized by a weak central strike on the reverse. B-3 is one of the most "perfect" dies available in the series, with well-spaced lettering, and excellent balance in the layout of the design elements, and no blatant recuttings, but unfortunately, nearly all of them lack the central detail that would have made the die-marriage a perfect type coin.

 

The first example has about 35% of the reverse luster, and 10% of the obverse luster still remaining (though not well visible in the image). Despite the lack of central details due to strike, it's a technical EF coin.

 

I believe it was dipped once, but that was long ago, and it has never been cleaned. There is still a little original dirt embedded in the fine details of the reverse, especially in between the arrows and the leaves of the olive branch, and the surfaces have toned to a just-barely-off-perfect-grey color.

 

The second coin is a grade lower (VF), but a bit more original, though completely lacking in luster. You'll note the ever-present lack of central detail. It's more of an ash-grey color, but it has not been dipped, and shows no hairlines at all from any kind of cleaning.

 

Comments welcome - ENJOY !

 

 

James

[jtryka]

Gorgeous!!!

[supertooth]

James----The darker more original coin for me---naturally. Detail is always nice to get but "color" and "eye appeal" makes the second coin my choice. Bob [supertooth]

[HaydenTubbs]

James----The darker more original coin for me---naturally. Detail is always nice to get but "color" and "eye appeal" makes the second coin my choice. Bob [supertooth]

I agree, the second coin is much more attractive and the difference in detail is minor.

[Oldtrader3]

Both nice coins. I also like the darker one, but certainly could live with either one.