ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN 1871-S QUARTER EAGLES

The 1871-S is more available in higher grades than any of the 1860′s quarter eagles from this mint but it is still rare in Uncirculated with an estimated 15 or so known. It is very rare in MS64 and above; the finest known is a sensational PCGS MS66 which last sold for $20,125 as Heritage 6/05: 7580.

This piece is fresh in appearance and until its recent sale at auction, it had been off the market for 75 years. It shows lovely rich old green-gold and rose hues over soft, frosty luster. A few light lines in the left obverse field can be seen when the coin is tilted into a light source and the strike at the central reverse is a touch soft. The overall quality is exceptional.

Two MS64 examples of this date have sold at auction since 2001: this piece and another graded by NGC which crossed the block twice in 2011.

This date is essentially unavailable any finer than this as the few Gem 1871-S quarter eagles appear to be in tightly-held collections.

Ex Newman V (Heritage 11/14): 3226 where it sold for $7,638.

CAC has approved this one piece in MS64 with none finer.