Collectors CornerSM: The Collectibles Marketplace

A Service of Certified Asset Exchange

Shopping Cart 0 item ($0.00)

1796 25C Browning 2 NGC Details

(click for full-size image)
Price:   
Grade: Details
Quantity: 1
PCGS Coin #: 38920
Last Update: 9/15/2026
Dealer:  (Terms) Heritage Auctions (HA.com)

Auction: 2026 October 8-9 GACC US Coins Signature® Auction #1397 - Session 2 (10/8, 5p) View this auction on the auction site
Auction Date: 10/8/2026 - 10/8/2026
Lot Number: 3415 View this lot on the auction site
1796 25C B-2, R.3 -- Private Countermark -- Damaged -- NGC Details. VG. Tompkins Die State 2/1, a curl above star 1 is partially lapped. Star 15 is further away from the drapery on the Browning-2 variety. This coin was an exciting recent "dig find" from New Hampshire, and a video of the find is viewable as part of our online listing for the lot. Finding old coins buried in the ground is always exciting, but rarely does such a find produce a rare issue like a 1796 Small Eagle quarter.      The 1796 quarter dollar is a one-year type coin with a mintage of only 6,146 examples from two die pairs. It is the first U.S. quarter struck for circulation and a one-year type coin with the Small Eagle reverse. Therefore, a 1796 quarter is necessary for completion of any well-formed U.S. type collection, and demand by early quarter collectors further contributes to the great popularity enjoyed by the 1796 issue. Despite its time in the ground, this VG-level example retains well-outlined devices, and the date and stars. The obverse dentils -- while slightly faint on the lower left -- are all visible. Likewise, the eagle, wreath, and most of the reverse legend are reasonably defined for the VG sharpness designation, save for the eagle's head which is normally weak. On this coin, eagle's head is opposite the countermark and has been further flattened. UNITED STATES and ERICA are legible, though OF AM is quite faint. Most of the reverse dentils are worn or are very faint. Angled abrasions run from the rim over IBERTY and down diagonally over Liberty's portrait. Hairlines on the reverse run horizontally beginning at the rim over ST through the eagle's head, ending before reaching the opposite rim.      An interesting countermark was punched onto Liberty's neck truncation prior to the coin's burial, appearing to be the initials "OC" from a prepared punch. The origin of this countermark is unknown to us, and it is unlisted in any of our references. Most likely, this is the mark of ...

(click for full-size image)

(click for full-size image)

(click for full-size image)

(click for full-size image)