1802/1 $2.50 NGC AU53

BD-3. R-5. This variety is easily identifiable by the presence of noticeable repunching on star one on the reverse. This piece was recently purchased "over the counter" by one of my suppliers on the East Coast and from its appearance, I have to guess that it is a coin that was either in an old-time collection or accumulation for many, many years. It has an especially original appearance with even, dark rich green-gold color that is accentuated by some pale coppery hues around the devices. There is a good deal of dirt in the protected areas and this is always an unusual (and welcome) occurance on an early gold coin, especially one that is nearly 210 years old. The strike is typically weak at the very center of the obverse and reverse while the borders are sharp. Under magnification, there are some very light vertical obverse adjustment marks through the portrait and a few light, old marks in the fields. In the just-concluded Stack's Bowers November sale, another NGC AU53 example of this date (with a CAC sticker) sold for $18,400. A wonderful Draped Bust, Stars Obverse quarter eagle for the type collector.