1836 Block 8 $2.50 NGC MS63

Block 8 variety. As a date, the 1836 is much scarcer in high grades than the 1834 but it doesn't sell for the premium it deserves. That means the savvy collector can employ a condition rarity such as this 1836 Block 8 as his type coin when filling in the Classic Head quarter eagle series. As an example of this logic, look at the NGC population which shows just fifteen in this grade and three better for the 1836 Block 8 versus thirty-six with fifty-nine better for the 1834. This is, in addition, one of the prettier MS63 Classic Head quarter eagles of any date that I've seen in some time with lovely dusky orange-gold color with subtle underpinnings of green over clean, frosty surfaces. The strike is atypical for the issue with nearly no weakness at the centers and the obverse is very close to grading MS64 on its own with a lack of the scuffs generally found on Classic Head coins of any denomination. I recently handled the similarly-graded Heritage 4/12: 6362 coin and I think the present example is more choice.

1836 Script 8 $2.50 PCGS MS63 CAC

In my opinion, there are few designs that look better in higher grades than the Classic Head quarter eagles and half eagles. These coins tend to have nice color and, if they are unmessed-with, great luster and eye appeal. The present example is a lovely piece for the quality-conscious type collector with rich mellow green-gold color over clean, strongly lustrous surfaces. There are a few slight scuffs in the left obverse field but nothing else of note. As is typical for this design, there is some minor weakness of strike at the centers but the borders are fully detailed. For many type collectors, MS63 is a perfect grade for this type as MS64 examples don't tend to be appreciably better and are quite a bit more expensive.

1836 Script 8 $2.50 PCGS AU58

While common enough in scrubbed-up AU grades, a choice, original AU58 example of the 1836 quarter eagle is not an easy coin to find. This piece is as fresh as these come with dusky russet-gold colors on the obverse and reverse. Weakness of strike is seen at the centers and this is typical for the issue. To find a better example of this date (or type) you'd have to step up to the MS61 level and spend more than twice the price of this piece.

1836 Script 8 $2.50 PCGS MS61 CAC

Head of 1835. Most Classic Head quarter eagles in MS61 are clearly not new and are not good values in comparison to nice AU58's. But this example, which is fresh and choice, is not only free of wear, it has great color and really choice surfaces. The obverse and reverse display rich orange-gold and greenish hues and this coloration is exactly "right" for the date. The strike is slightly above average with less weakness at the centers than usual and the surfaces show just a few minor scuffs in the fields as expected on this type. This frosty piece is as nice as most Classic Head quarter eagles that I see in MS62 holders. I remain amazed that a 175 year old American gold coin in Uncirculated can still be purchased for around $4,000. A great type coin for the collector who appreciates lovely "old gold" but who can't afford the five figure price tag of the earlier types of this denomination.