1842 $2.50 PCGS EF45

This unheralded issue is actually one of the rarest Liberty Head quarter eagles of any date. Only 2,823 were struck and just four dozen or so are known with most in the VF to EF range and characterized by extremely poor eye appeal. This fresh-to-the-market example is one of just a handful of 1842 quarter eagles that I have seen with natural color and choice surfaces. Both the obverse and the reverse show deep green-gold color and there is a considerable amount of dirt within the recesses of the reverse lettering. The surfaces are clean and choice while the level of eye appeal is as high as for any EF example of this date that I have seen or handled. There are only five auction records for EF45 1842 quarter eagles since 1991 (three PCGS coins and two NGC coins) and the last record is Heritage 1/08: 3826 that sold for $4,888. If this were a Charlotte or Dahlonega quarter eagle in this grade of comparable rarity it would be a five figure coin or close to it. An exceptional piece for the savvy collector.