Variety 16-N.

The 1852-D is the fifth rarest quarter eagle from this mint and it is the least well known of the rare issues of this denomination from Dahlonega. Only 4,078 were made and less than 100 are known today with most in the VF-EF range. Properly graded AUs are very scarce and with original color and surfaces, this is among the rarest issues of any denomination from Dahlonega.

This is one of the two or three finest circulated 1852-D quarter eagles I have seen. I owned it around two years ago and sold it to a prominent specialist who recently upgraded to an MS62 and sold me back this lovely example. It is well made and very clean but its best feature is its splendid rich caramel coloration. It is likely that this piece has never been cleaned or brightened and both the obverse and reverse show plenty of dirt caked into the recesses. The eye appeal is exceptional.

No PCGS AU50 1852-D quarter eagle has sold at auction since November 1998. Heritage 8/13: 4980, graded AU53 by PCGS and not CAC approved, sold for $8,813.

If you are assembling a set of really choice circulated Dahlonega quarter eagles and you want a coin that will be admired and “ooohed” over by specialists, this is the 1852-D for you.

CAC has approved just this one example in AU50 with three finer.

On hold.