UNDERAPPRECIATED 1850 QUARTER EAGLE GRADED MS63+ BY PCGS AND APPROVED BY CAC

While very common in circulated grades and obtainable in the lower Uncirculated grades, the 1850 quarter eagle is scarce in properly graded MS63 and extremely rare in grades higher than this. There is a single piece known in an NGC MS67 holder but other than this, I have never seen an 1850 which graded higher than MS64.

This piece was struck from a rusted obverse die and as a result it has "fuzzy" detail at the center. The naked-eye appearance suggests a Gem grade but closer inspection shows a few small scuffs in the obverse fields. This piece is undipped and original with thick, frosty luster and nice medium greenish-gold color.

This is the only CAC approved MS63 (or MS63+) 1850 quarter eagle to sell at auction; see below for pedigree information. A nice non-CAC PCGS MS63 sold for $3,819 as Stacks Bowers 2014 ANA: 4311.

The only finer 1850 quarter eagle to sell in many years was a CAC approved PCGS MS64 which realized $12,161 as Stacks Bowers 6/13: 2390. This example at around one-third of the price seems like much better value.

CAC has approved one in this grade (MS63 or 63+) with just one finer (MS64).

Ex Heritage 10/16: 4015 where it sold for $3,760.