1848-D $2 1/2 MS63 PCGS. Variety 10-M. (per Doug Winter's ...

Description

Possible Finest Known 1848-D Quarter Eagle

1848-D $2 1/2 MS63 PCGS. Variety 10-M. (per Doug Winter's second edition and revised attribution system). Reverse of 1847. Late die state with a thin crack through the M in AMERICA into the wing. The more common of the two varieties from this year. Struck from a slightly rotated reverse die.

RARITY INFORMATION: The 1848-D is one of the three most obtainable Dahlonega quarter eagles. There are close to 200 pieces known with perhaps fifty in the various About Uncirculated grades and another nine to eleven in Uncirculated. The Green Pond Collection coin is tied with one other as the highest graded at PCGS as of November 2003; NGC has graded a single piece in MS63 with none finer.

STRIKE: This is one of the final Dahlonega quarter eagle issues that can be found with a good strike. This coin is very well impressed at the centers and has a fully defined hair curl above the ear of Liberty. The obverse denticles are very sharp while there is some weakness noted on the reverse denticles. The overall quality of strike is above average.

SURFACES: There are some minor scuffs in the obverse fields and three tiny marks inside star 9. The reverse has some trivial marks above the eagle's head but is extremely clean for the grade. There are no raised mint-made die scratches on the reverse as often seen. There is a touch of light haziness on the obverse but the surfaces appear to be quite original.

LUSTER: Rich frosty luster can be seen on both sides with a very slightly grainy texture. The luster appears to be original with no trace of prior "enhancement."

COLORATION: Both sides have flashy orange-gold color with some splashes of lilac at the reverse border. The color is very pleasing and superior to that seen on most 1848-D quarter eagles.

EYE APPEAL: This coin has decidedly above average eye appeal. It is well struck and highly lustrous with pleasing color and very clean surfaces. It would make a great coin for the collector who is seeking a single high grade Dahlonega quarter eagle for a type set.

COMPARABLES: An NGC MS63 brought $24,275 in the Goldberg's May 2001 sale. The other PCGS MS63 was in the January 2003 auction (lot 1207) but it did not meet its reserve.

PEDIGREE: Ex: Doug Winter; Bob Harwell/Jeff Garrett; Chestatee Collection/1999 ANA Sale (Heritage, 8/99), lot 7648, where it brought $28,750; Hancock and Harwell; Leon Farmer Collection; 1986 GNA Sale (Mid-American, 5/86), lot 1863; George Elliott; Auction '84 (Stack's session), lot 1317; Dr. Arthur Montgomery Collection; Auction '80 (Rarcoa's session), lot 1936, where it brought $11,000. The plate coin in both editions of "Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861" and listed in the revised Condition Census as the finest known 1848-D quarter eagle. (#7751) (Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25HC, PCGS# 7751, GSID# 8359)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 4.18 grams
AGW: 0.12095oz
Mintage: 13,771

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

View Certification Details from PCGS