VERY RARE PCGS/CAC 1864 QUARTER EAGLE GRADED AU58

The 1864 is the fourth rarest Liberty Head quarter eagle after the 1841, 1854-S and the Proof-only 1863 and as all of those are six-figure coins, this date is The Big Kahuna for most specialists in this series. There are likely not more than two dozen known and this includes the NGC MS67 Byron Reed piece which is high on my list of favorite US gold coins.

The present example is likely in the Condition Census for the issue and it is only the second PCGS AU58 I have handled in over a decade. The medium yellow-gold surfaces are primarily frosty but some reflectiveness shows in the protected areas, especially around the date. There is minimal actual wear and just a few scattered handling marks. This date tends to come with poor overall eye appeal but the present example is a notable exception.

No PCGS AU58 1864 quarter eagle has ever sold at auction and no CAC approved AU58 from either service has been auctioned. An NGC AU58 realized $49,938 as Heritage 10/12: 5593.

The opportunity to acquire a finer 1864 business strike may not occur in the near future and this impressive coin represents a spectacular opportunity for the well-heeled Civil War gold collector.

CAC has approved three in this grade with none finer.

From the HandH Collection.