VERY RARE CONDITION CENSUS PCGS MS63 1870-S QUARTER EAGLE

The 1870-S date/mint combination is famous in both silver and gold issues due to the extreme rarity of the silver dollar and the unique three dollar. The 1870-S quarter eagle is not often seen above the lower AU grades and it is rare in Uncirculated with an estimated six to eight known. There is one PCGS MS64 in a private collection which has never sold at auction; an NGC MS64 (ex Heritage 4/12: 5219) is overgraded in my opinion.

This example is one of the two best 1870-S quarter eagles of which I am aware. It is well struck and original with soft, satiny luster seen below nice, rich medium orange-gold color. There are a few tiny marks noted in the left obverse field but this piece appears to have never been cleaned or dipped and it has a great overall appearance as a result.

Heritage 11/12: 4792, graded MS63 by PCGS and approved by CAC, sold for $13,513. I carefully studied that coin and, to be honest, I think this newly-graded MS63 is every bit as nice; if not even a touch better.

If you are putting together a world-class set of Liberty Head quarter eagles, you should give this remarkable 1870-S very strong consideration.