As with the 1847-O, 1850-O, 1851-O and 1852-O, this is a date which is common in circulated grades but rare in true Uncirculated. The population figures for the 1846-O are inflated and it is very scarce in properly graded MS61 and rare above this.

The luster on this example is as good as one any 1846-O quarter eagle which I have seen in some time. Both sides are extremely frosty and show nice rich yellow-gold color with splashes of natural reddish across the central obverse and on the right reverse. The strike is a bit weak at the centers and there are some scuffs in the fields but this is a truly choice coin with a very fresh appearance.

The last PCGS MS61 1846-O quarter eagle to sell at auction was Heritage 10/12: 5554, non-approved by CAC, which sold for $5,582. There are two records of $6,900 for PCGS MS61’s, one in 2007 and another in 2008.

New Orleans quarter eagles of this quality are rare and under-appreciated and this is a wonderful 1846-O for the sophisticated collector.

CAC has approved just two in this grade with one finer (MS62).