POPULAR FIRST-YEAR-OF-ISSUE 1840-O $2.50 GRADED AU58 BY PCGS/CAC, ex Blue Hill Collection

Winter-2. Small O variety.

The 1840-O is a numismatically significant issue due to its status as the first Liberty Head quarter eagle from New Orleans. It is scarce in properly graded AU55 to AU58, and it is very rare in Uncirculated with an estimated 10 or so known in Unciruclated; most in the MS60 to MS62 range.

This coin is really nice for the grade and for the issue with natural gold color which shades to a medium green especially on the reverse. There is very limited rub on the high spots and very good luster. The strike is simply exceptional for an issue that often comes with noticeable weakness at the centers. One of the nicer AU examples I have seen and a very smart alternative to a $13,500++ MS61.

The most recent APR for a CAC approved PCGS AU58 1840-O $2.50 is Heritage 4/2025: 3461 at $8,400. This exact coin (see below) holds the record auction price for an 1840-O in this grade when it sold for $10,200 in 2024.

CAC has approved 11 in AU58 with just two finer. I believe that the current figure of “11” in AU58 is inflated by resubmissions.

Ex Heritage 4/2025: 3461 ($8,400), Stack’s Bowers 2024 ANA: 5595 ($10,200). Earlier in the Srotag Collection and purchased from DWN via private treaty at $8,500 from the Blue Hill Collection via DWN in 2017 at $6,850.

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