RARE UNCIRCULATED 1846-D QUARTER EAGLE

Variety 7-K, late die state.

The 1846-D is among the more available quarter eagles from this mint but it is rare in higher grades and very rare in Uncirculated with well under a dozen known. Nearly all of the Uncirculated coins grade MS60 to MS61 and the best I am aware of is the Duke’s Creek MS63, graded by NGC and last sold for $27,600 in April 2006.

This coin is a very late die state and was likely among the final pieces struck from this die pair. The reverse crack is bold and the dies have swelled, giving the obverse and reverse a convex/concave appearance. Despite the subsequent weakness at the centers, this coin is unquestionably “new” with fresh, satiny surfaces seen beneath a layer of crisp natural yellow-gold color. A few light scuffs can be seen in the right obverse field and over the eagle’s head on the reverse.

Only three PCGS MS61 1846-D quarter eagles have sold at auction since 2007. The last one of these brought $9,417 as Bowers and Merena 1/11: 1338.

A numismatically interesting and conditionally rare Dahlonega quarter eagle.