1
249
bid online at
(800) 978-COIN (2646)
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Session Four - Tuesday, June 3, 2014 6:00 PM
Enlargement
1685
1848-D
.
PCGS graded AU-55
. Well struck and untoned. Only
13,771 struck. The 1848-D is one of the three most affordable
Dahlonega Mint $2.50 gold pieces available. There are perhaps
200 pieces known with a decent number of various About Uncir-
culated grades to supply current needs. An historic year in
which placer gold discoveries in California were first announced
to residents in the east. Little could the Dahlonega Mint staff
know that in time, they would be striking gold coins out of gold
bullion brought back from the California gold fields!
Pop 21; 47
finer at PCGS.
(
PCGS # 7751
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$2,800 - 3,000
S
CARCE
1849-C $2.50 L
IBERTY
Enlargement
1686
1849-C
.
NGC graded AU-58
. Untoned with semi-proof-
like field and normal surface abrasions. Only 10,220
minted. David Akers called the 1849-C issue "One of the
rarest C-Mint quarter eagles, particularly in high grade."
Walter Breen wrote, "Usually VF to EF, prohibitively rare
AU." Douglas Winter called the date "Unknown" in Mint
State. Accordingly, perhaps a few Mint State specimens out
there locked away in old-line collections not destined for
sale maybe for a decade or more.
Of this issue, and it seems that just about all went into cir-
culation, seeing considerable use and becoming extensively
abraded, worn, often damaged in the process. The exact
story of the present piece is unknown, but its very special
high AU58 quality indicates that it was preserved with care,
unlike the majority of its brethren.
Pop 20; 7 finer, 3 in
60, 3 in 61, 1 in 65
. (
PCGS # 7753
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $8,000 - 8,500
M
INT
S
TATE
1849-D $2.50 L
IBERTY
Enlargement
1687
1849-D
.
PCGS graded MS-61
. Rotated reverse. Mostly
untoned. Only 10,945 minted. Since this was issued in the
1840s, it is often viewed with the other mid-decade to later
Dahlonega issues, and yet the 1849-D if truth be told, is the
scarcer date. The obverse is as relatively sharp with strong
centers, all stars complete except for one at the top, and
some minor planchet indentations (as made) at Liberty’s
cheek. Rim dentils are weak in one area only. The reverse is
very strong throughout, with perhaps a point having to be
made about the lower dentils which follow those weak ones
on the opposite side. The eagle's legs possess far better
detail than the usually seen weakness here. Some light cir-
culation hairlines, but the fields are relatively clear of
marks. This piece shows luster that is well above average.
The strike, luster, and the overall condition of the surfaces
are much finer than one might expect from the unassuming
grade.
Pop 3; 2 finer in 62
. (
PCGS # 7754
)
Estimated Value .................................... $15,000 - 16,000
F
INEST
A
T
PCGS 1850-C $2.50 L
IBERTY
Enlargement
1688
1850-C
.
PCGS graded MS-62+
. Only 9,148 minted.
Lovely golden toning with reflective fields. The warm yel-
low- to orange-gold color comes with some reflective high-
lights present in the field areas. Regarding this date,
Douglas Winter noted: "Specimens which grade About
Uncirculated are extremely rare." Which can only mean that
Mint States are the very essence of rare, the grading Cen-
sus below explains this. Only 9,148 examples of the date
were struck, with most of the survivors from that mintage
are in the Very Fine range from hard circulation. A great
opportunity, a heady challenge if you miss this chance to
bid.
Obverse with date logotype moderately impressed into the
die, with date slightly to left, 1 infinitesimally closer to den-
til than truncation. The 0 is also closer to the dentils, and is
marginally lower than the other digits. The C mintmark is
overlapping the claw and tucks up against the branch, high,
with the lowest tips of the arrow feathers visibly closing the
opening in the C. The tip of the fraction bar ends well to the
right of the mintmark.
Pop 1; none finer at PCGS
.
(
PCGS # 7756
)
Estimated Value .................................... $20,000 - 22,000
