The 1854-O is the most available quarter eagle from this mint. It is readily available in all circulated grades and even seen from time to time in the lower Uncirculated grades. But in properly graded MS63 it is very rare and it is almost never seen above this. The finest that I am aware of is Bass II: 468, graded MS64 by PCGS, which sold for $14,375.

To the naked eye, this coin has the appearance of a borderline Gem. It is exceedingly well struck and very lustrous with gorgeous rich yellow-gold. There are no marks of note, just a few wispy lines which are almost impossible to see without a glass. There are no clashmarks or irregular areas of striking as seen on nearly all examples of this date. The eye appeal is exceptional for the date!

There have been just two auctions records for this date in MS63. The first, a PCGS MS63 coin, sold for $8,050 as Heritage 10/11: 4691. The second, also graded MS63 by PCGS, brought $6,613 all the way back in November 2011 as Heritage 11/01: 6284. I personally feel the present exampe exceeds both coins in quality and it is clearly in the Condition Census for this issue.

If you collect New Orleans quarter eagles, you know how rare this date is in this grade and how unlikely it is that you will have another opportunity to buy a comparable–or better–example.

ON HOLD