1
251
bid online at
(800) 978-COIN (2646)
|
Session Four - Tuesday, June 3, 2014 6:00 PM
T
IED
F
OR
F
INEST
A
T
PCGS 1854-C
Enlargement
1693
1854-C
.
PCGS graded MS-62
. Nice light golden toning.
Only 7,295 minted. All known 1854-C quarter eagles are
from a single die pair. The date logotype is high, with the
top of the 1 piercing the neck truncation above. Some slight
evidence of clashing is seen on both sides.
Frosty yellow gold with attractive orange undertone in the
open areas. Some reverse weakness is noted, as virtually
always seen for this Charlotte Mint issue; the obverse is
somewhat sharper than typically found. An impressive,
indeed memorable example of this rarity; with so few
struck it is understandable the Census would be very lim-
ited (see below). It could be that as few as just 70 to 100
examples of the date can be found in all grades, mainly
well circulated.
The presently offered coin is one of the very finest exam-
ples in existence. Three others in this numerical grade are
tied, but when the combination of the present high numeri-
cal grade is added to a very generous quotient of eye
appeal, this coin will hold its own with just about any other
contender.
Pop 4; none finer at PCGS
. (
PCGS # 7770
)
Estimated Value .................................... $18,000 - 19,000
T
HE
F
INEST
G
RADED
1855-C A
T
PCGS
Enlargement
1694
1855-C
.
PCGS graded MS-63 PQ
. Well struck and
untoned. Only 3,677 minted. This is clearly one of the top
Condition Census 1855-C Quarter Eagles known is charac-
terized by soft, smooth satin-like luster over both sides; the
color light pinkish gold and balanced throughout, there
being no unsightly copper spots or uneven toning. The coin
is optimally free from blemishes and has a "freshness"
about it that is exceptional for the issue. The strike is atypi-
cal in being quite sound, very bold, with only the stars flatly
impressed on the radial lines, while the centers show
extensive detail on the key high spots, which isn’t always
the case. The reverse is slightly less bold but only at the
lower eagle and claws. Rims perfect; dentils complete, as
made, which is rarely evident on other 1855-C quarter
eagles. Unquestionably the close to the finest known, pos-
sibly #2 behind an NGC MS65 that sold a couple of years
ago in a Heritage auction for $97,500. This would make a
wonderful for someone looking to buy a top-rated 1855-C
quarter eagle.
The 1855-C ranks behind the 1843-C Small Date in rarity.
Perhaps a hundred exist in all grades from the original
3,677 pieces minted. Sufficient About Uncirculated and
Uncirculated pieces have shown up in recent years
(through new discoveries and grade crossovers) that it is
no longer accorded the reverence it once had, but still
deserves. Six or seven Uncirculated pieces exist of which
this is clearly among the finest.
Pop 1; none finer at
PCGS
. (
PCGS # 7775
)
Estimated Value .................................... $35,000 - 40,000
