1836 Block 8 $2.50 NGC MS63

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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.

1877-CC $5.00 NGC EF45

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While not as rare and undervalued as its eagle counterpart, the 1877-CC half eagle is a scarce issue that is often overlooked when collectors discuss the tough CC dates from this decade. There were 8,680 struck and most of the surviving examples are well-worn. This piece is among the few that I have seen with natural color and surfaces. The obverse and reverse show rich medium russet color with some red and green undertones and darker hues towards the borders. The fields are unusually clean with no marks of note and the detail is better than expected with especially sharp feathers seen on the wingtips and legs. The last NGC EF45 example of this date to sell at auction was Heritage 4/12: 6621 which brought $5,175; the example I offer here is far more original and it shows much better overall eye appeal.

1894-O $5.00 PCGS MS61

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This numismatically significant issue is one of only three With Motto half eagles from this mint and it is the final year of issue of this type from New Orleans. The 1894-O is scarce in the lower Uncirculated grades and it is seldom found above MS61. This lustrous example has typically abraded surfaces but nice luster and color with no signs of rub or friction on the high spots. PCGS has graded just seven finer than this and it has been some time since I've handled a significantly finer 1894-O half eagle.

1876-S $2.50 PCGS MS61

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With the exception of the high mintage double eagle, all of the 1876-dated gold coinage from the San Francisco mint was produced in small numbers and is scarce. The 1876-S quarter eagle has a mintage of just 5,000 (exactly the same as the 1876-S eagle) but it is more available in high grades and overall than the rare, underrated half eagle and eagle from this year. This very lustrous example is unquestionably new with very bold luster and good overall detail. The raised bar on the throat of Liberty is diagnostic to the issue; some coppery toning at the central reverse is natural and, in my opinion, attractive. I feel that this coin could grade MS62 if resubmitted but with the price difference between an MS61 and MS62 so minimal, I've decided to leave this option to the new owner. Great value at just a spot over three thousand dollars and a lovely little coin.

1847-C $2.50 NGC AU58 CAC

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For some reason Charlotte coins with really exceptional color are not seen as often as their Dahlonega counterparts. This 1847-C quarter eagle, while certainly not a rare coin by the standards of this mint, has exceptional color which gives it true character. The obverse and reverse are a deep green-gold with splashes of orange in the fields. As is the case with most examples of this date, the strike is excellent and this piece shows a considerable amount of frosty luster under the aformentioned coloration. This is one of the nicest toned Charlotte quarter eagles of any date that I have seen and it would make a great addition to a set that featured branch mint gold with color.

CAC has approved two in this grade and two finer.

1842-D $2.50 PCGS AU58 CAC

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The 1842-D remains one of the very few quarter eagles of any date or mint that appears to still be unknown in properly graded Uncirculated. This statement can be verified by the fact that PCGS, to date, has still not graded an 1842-D quarter eagle higher than AU58 and just four at this level. This is a well-known coin with an illustrious pedigree (see below). It has a good deal of soft, frosty luster remaining and this is highly unusual for the date as most 1842-D quarter eagles are lackluster; even those grading AU50 and higher. The color is a rich natural yellow-gold with a single obverse toning spot at the juncture of the left field and the bridge of the nose. If you know this date, you know that is is extremely rare with eye appeal and this is probably the prettiest 1842-D quarter eagle that I have seen or sold. It should be noted that there is a mint-made depression on the cheek of Liberty; this is seen on many examples of this date and it does not detract. The last PCGS AU58 1842-D quarter eagle to sell at auction was Bowers and Merena 3/09: 1474 that brought $23,000. An extremely important coin for the specialist.

Ex Heritage 1/03: 4660 ($15,525), Heritage 1999 FUN: 7630 ($23,000), North Georgia collection, Stack's 10/94: 870 ($14,300), James Stack collection.

This is the only AU58 1842-D quarter eagle to be approved by CAC. None have been approved in grades higher than this.

1839/8-D $2.50 NGC AU58 CAC

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Variety 1-B. This numismatically significant issue has the double honor of being the first quarter eagle made at this mint as well as being the only Dahlonega Classic Head issue of this denomination. The 1839-D is only around twelfth (of twenty) or so in regards to its overall and high grade scarcity but it is clearly one of the most popular issues of any denomination from this mint. This specific coin is very attractive with lovely deep, rich reddish-gold color which is more prominent on the obverse than on the reverse. This is a very late die state with numerous cracks on the reverse and this has weakned the detail at the reverse center. But there is little in the way of actual wear and this piece is very unsual in that it has never been cleaned, dipped or recolored like so many other third-party graded examples. In the last decade, there have been just five AU58 1839-D quarter eagles sold at auction. The last one of these was an NGC coin (Goldberg 9/10: 2764) that brought $13,800.

This is one of just two 1839-D quarter eagles that have been approved by CAC in this grade. Only one finer piece has been approved by CAC.

1855-D $2.50 PCGS AU55 CAC

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At one time I felt that the 1855-D quarter eagle was the rarest coin from this mint. I now believe that this honor goes to the 1856-D quarter eagle but the 1855-D is unquestionably the second rarest. Of the 1,123 struck, around four to five dozen are known and almost all are well worn, poorly made and very unattractive. This coin is none of the above, making it exceptional for the date and grade. The quality of the planchet is far above avergae with none of the peels or imperfections seen on many 1855-D quarter eagles and the strike is actually not bad with some detail seen at the center. The surfaces show luster below medium orange-gold color and the overall eye appeal is far above average. I believe that there are no more than 12-15 properly graded AU examples of this date and at least half show prominent mint-made flaws. The last PCGS AU55 to sell at auction was Heritage 10/11: 4694 that brought $17,250. In the Heritage 2/12 auction, a pair of NGC AU55's sold for $17,250 and $18,400, respectively. An extremely important coin for the advanced specialist.

Ex Heritage 1/03: 4704 where it sold for $17,825.

This is the only 1855-D quarter eagle in AU55 to receive CAC approval; there is one finer with CAC approval.