Small Date variety.

1843-O quarter eagles are known with a Small Date and a Large Date. The former is far more available and it is the most common quarter eagle from this mint in Uncirculated. It is scarce in properly graded MS62, very scarce in MS63, rare in MS64 and exceedingly rare as a Gem.

This is an early die state with a sharp strike and no die lapping as seen on the later states. It is very frosty with lovely natural medium orange-gold color which shades to rose and pale green. The strike is just a touch soft at the centers but there is not much not to like about this coin; particularly the clean surfaces and good naked-eye appearance.

An NGC MS62 with CAC approval sold for $2,820 as Heritage 1/14: 6429 while a PCGS MS62 with CAC approval realized $2,760 as Heritage 1/10: 3822; both coins were very weakly struck at the central reverse.

To spend much more than this on an 1843-O Small Date seems like an overbuy to me and, for most collectors of New Orleans quarter eagles, this lovely MS62 example will be a great addition to their collection.

CAC has approved four with three finer.