1836 25C Browning 3 AU50 Certification #33414041, PCGS #39007

Ron Guth

1836 Browning 3 is a common variety but an interesting one because of the die breaks that progress on both the front and back.  Rea et al list five different die states; Tompkins lists six stages of the obverse and four stages of the reverse.  In its terminal die state, both sides are literally shattered and the dies were no longer usuable. 

High grade examples of the 1836 B-3 Quarter Dollar are fairly plentiful, though highly prized.  Tompkins' top seven examples ranged from MS63 to MS64 (apparently, he was unaware of the existence of Eric Newman's example, which later graded out at NGC MS67).  Rea et al's top ten list includes coins ranging from MS63 to MS66+ (the MS66+ being their interpretation of the Newman example).