VERY RARE GEM 1855 QUARTER EAGLE

The 1855 quarter eagle is a ho-hum date in the lower Uncirculated grades but Gems are very rare with probably not more than three or four known. The single finest, graded MS66 by PCGS, sold for $18,400 as Heritage 6/05: 7563 and it has never re-appeared for sale.

This fresh to the market example is the single best 1855 quarter eagle I’ve owned and it is a remarkable Gem coin with the sort of “freshness” not often see in today’s market. The surfaces shimmer with undisturbed mint frost and both sides show attractive rich golden hues. There are a few minor scuffs in the left obverse field and what looks like a scratch from the rim at 8:00 is actually a very fine die crack which extends all the way to the mouth of Liberty. The eye appeal is exceptional and this is one of my favorite new purchases from the 2015 ANA.

Only one MS65 example has ever crossed the auction block and it brought $6,900 all the way back in November 2000 as Bass IV: 192.

While likely to be placed in a type set, this would make a welcome addition to a world-class date set of Liberty Head quarter eagles.

This is the only MS65 1855 quarter eagle to have been approved with none finer.