1831 saw the planchet diameter of quarters reduced by about 10%, with the Capped Bust design modified by Chief Engraver William Kneass. Multiple varieties exist for this date, including four Small Letters varieties and three with Large Letters.
The change in dimensions and design increased the likelihood of proofs being struck, and Walter Breen suggested 10 specimens were sent to President Andrew Jackson and another 20 proofs were delivered to Treasury Secretary Samuel D. Ingham, although it is unsure all of those were proofs. Breen thought eight to 10 proofs were known, while PCGS CoinFacts currently estimates 10 to 15 pieces known.
Our October 17-19 Dallas Signature Auction features a Proof 1831 quarter graded PR64 by PCGS. Struck from Browning-5 dies, the date shows recutting on all four digits, most visible beneath the flags of each 1. It is worth noting that David Akers believed the only true 1831 proof quarters were of the B-5 variety. This piece shows a faint dappling of golden-tan toning drifting across glassy, reflective surfaces. A dot of deep toning exists between E and S in STATES. Razor-sharp central devices offer stark silver contrast against the lightly toned fields.
Online Auction of Carson City Coins Coming Soon
Heritage will be offering an internet-only auction starting in November, showcasing exclusively Carson City coinage. The Carson City Mint operated from 1870-1893, producing some of the most sought-after coins in US numismatic history, ranging from dimes to double eagles.
This auction will be open for bidding from November 15-December 15, exclusively at coins.HA.com.
We are now accepting consignments for this auction, but the consignment deadline of November 1 will be here before you know it. To consign your CC coinage, contact us at 1-800-872-6467 Ext. 1000.
In Other News – Changes to Bidding
Heritage Auctions has announced a change to its bidding practices that will allow more bidders to pursue items in online auctions.
Effective immediately, the increments in which collectors can bid in Internet absentee bidding will be cut in half. The change will not affect live bidding (including HA.com/Live), in order to save live bidders time by keeping the bidding in live sessions moving at a brisk pace.
“This change will benefit both buyers and sellers,” Heritage Auctions Co-Founder Jim Halperin said. “Cutting in half the size of bid increments will increase the confidence and aggressiveness of buyers who are unsure about increasing a bid, and it benefits the sellers by making more clients more likely to leave a proxy bid on a wider array of available lots.”
The change is significant for Heritage Auctions, as approximately 60% of Heritage Auctions’ 2018 sales were conducted online. With more than 40 categories of art, jewelry, collectibles, and other valuable objects, Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s leading collectibles auctioneer.
