There are numerous overlooked, undervalued issues in the Liberty Head quarter eagle series but, to me, the 1870 has always been one of the best values. It has a low original mintage of 4,520 and it is not often seen in grades higher than AU55. The finest known is a single PCGS MS65 that brought $19,550 in the 1999 Bass II sale; there are six to eight others in Uncirculated all of which are in the MS60 to MS62 range.

This semi-prooflike example shows little in the way of wear but there are some handling marks in the fields on both sides. The color is a pleasing natural medium orange-gold with a little deeper hue seen on the reverse than on the obverse. The eye appeal is excellent and this is clearly a nicer coin than some of the MS60 and MS61 1870 quarter eagles that have appeared for sale in the last decade.

In terms of appearance, this coin is similar in quality to Heritage 11/11: 9263 which sold for $1,955; that piece was, however, not approved by CAC.

For less than $2,000 it would be hard to imagine a scarcer United States gold coin than this 1870 quarter eagle.

This is one of three aprroved in this grade by CAC with none higher than this.

ON HOLD