Variety 1-B, the rarer of the two varieties known for this year.

The 1839-D is numismatically desirable as the first quarter eagle struck at the Dahlonega mint and as a one-year type employing the popular Classic Head design. It is seen from time to time in the lower AU grades but not often with natural color and surfaces.

This very attractive example shows rich natural russet color which is a bit deeper on the obverse than on the reverse. It shows a solid, even strike with only minor weakness at the centers and the surfaces lack the usual detracting abrasions. Some luster can be seen on both sides and the eye appeal is far and away above average for the date and grade.

No PCGS AU53 1839-D quarter eagle has sold at auction in over two decades. A non-CAC AU55 with poor overall eye appeal brought $8,813 as Stacks Bowers 2014 ANA: 11054.

This is the only AU53 1839-D quarter eagle currently known with CAC approval and it should cause considerable interest among a wide range of gold coin collectors.

CAC has approved one in this grade with five finer.