1874 $2.50 PCGS MS63 CAC

Only 3,920 business strikes were made but this date is a bit more available in circulated grades than one might expect. It is rare in the lower Uncirculated grades, very rare in MS63 and extremely rare above this. A small number of really nice 1874 quarter eagles are known (in the MS63 to MS64 range) and since these pieces have basically similar looks, I would presume that a small hoard (four to six?) existed at one time. This is amongst the finest known with lovely rich yellow-gold color overlaid with light lemon splashes. There are a few faint copper spots on the obverse and more on the reverse (below the denomination and at the right wing tip). There are no APR's for PCGS MS63's of this date since February 2001 when an inferior example brought $5,290. In the last decade, there are four PCGS MS64 APR's, ranging from a low of $8,051 to a high of $9,258. This coin is a nice combination of high grade and low mintage.

This is the sole example in this grade approved by CAC with none finer.

1/0

1874 $10.00 PCGS MS62

The 1874 is basically the only Philadelphia eagle struck between this year and going back to the early 1860's that can be found from time to time in Uncirculated grades. When available, most are seen in the MS60 to MS61 range and properly graded MS62's are scarce. This piece has a very fresh appearance with nice luster and pleasing green-gold fields that are contrasted by orange-gold borders. There are a few scattered abrasions on the obverse that limit the grade but the originality of this piece makes it very appealing. The last APR for a PCGS MS62 is Heritage 4/11: 6649 which brought $4,025 and which was, in my opinion, not quite as nice as this example in spite of being approved by CAC. With this series becoming more and more popular, good values such as this are becoming more and more limited.