1859-D $2.50 PCGS MS62 CAC

This newly discovered, fresh-to-the-market coin is not only the best 1859-D quarter eagle that I have ever seen, it is quite possibly the finest known for the date. The 1859-D is a scarce date in all grades with a mintage of just 2,244. It is likely that a small hoard existed at one time as survivors are almost never seen in VF and EF grades but most are clustered in the AU range. In Uncirculated, the rarity of this issue is indisputable. I know of three examples that grade MS62: this coin, Duke's Creek: 1515 (in an NGC holder; it sold for $37,375 in 2006) and Green Pond: 1036 (in a PCGS holder; it sold for $34,500 back in 2004). I like this coin better than either the Duke's Creek or Green Pond coins. It has wonderful deep, rich green-gold, orange and pale reddish hues with very choice surfaces and better luster than usual. For the date, it is well made and well detailed. Most importantly, it is fresh in appearance with no signs of having ever been cleaned or dipped. At the recent Heritage sale of the Baltimore Collection of quarter eagles, the few very high quality pieces that were available brought very strong prices. If you are putting together a world-class set of Dahlonega gold coins, the significance of this remarkable 1859-D quarter eagle will be clear.