The 1855-D is one of the two rarest quarter eagles from the Dahlonega mint and it is one of the rarest coins of any denomination produced at this facility. Only 1,123 were made, giving it the second lowest mintage of any quarter eagle from Dahlonega (after the 1856-D). An estimated 50-60 are known and while a number have been graded AU55 to AU58 by PCGS and NGC, only a small handful of these are choice and original.

I have owned nearly every higher grade 1855-D in existence (including an amazing PCGS MS63 I bought for $86,250 in 2012) and the current example is likely the single best circulated example which I can recall. This well struck coin is produced on an uncommonly high quality planchet which lakes any of the mint-made flaws which are commonly found. The strike is comparatively bold and the detail is uncommonly bold at the borders. Most importantly, this is one of the few known examples with completely natural color and the green-gold hue seen on the obverse and reverse is lovely. Even the pickiest specialist will find this coin to have exceptional eye appeal for the issue.

Including this coin, a total of five PCGS AU55 1855-D quarter eagles have sold at auction in the last five years. This includes some repeat appearances and at ;east two coins which were very low end for the grade. No PCGS AU58′s have ever appeared at auction.

This is an unimprovable example of a truly rare issue and it is solidly in the Condition Census for the date.

CAC has approved two in this grade with just one finer (MS63).

Ex HA 7/14: 3890 where it brought $25,850