1796 Browning 1 (R-4). Brilliant Uncirculated and prooflike, but cleaned and retoned. This is the scarcer of the two varieties for the year, with the '79' close, and a die crack extending down to the post of the 'E' of LIBERTY. The obverse has shallow adjustment marks, some at the edge, others on Liberty's drapery and hair. Rather well struck for this first year of issue, with bold curls on Liberty, and most of the eagle's feathers present save for the breast and thigh, areas which are notoriously weak on this issue. The eagle's head and beak are also weak, and finding these well struck is a fool's errand on a 1796 Quarter. Toned with deep green and gold on both sides, with reflective fields. These early Quarters were stuck in such limited quantities, that the original die polish scarcely wore away before coinage was halted. A hint of an edge mark above the first 'T' of STATES. Always in fervant demand as a single year, and rare type coin.
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