Heritage to Offer Rare Quarter Eagle at Auction!

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the finest-known example of a rare 1848 $2 1/2 PR64 PCGS in their upcoming Signature Auction, to be held March 2 & 3 at the Palm Beach Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Boulevard at Florida Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida.

"When David Akers cataloged this coin as part of the Pittman Collection, he noted that only three positively identified proofs were known to him," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auction Galleries. "In addition to the present coin, he specifically identified the Smithsonian example, and the Woodin-Boyd specimen, later appearing for sale as lot 2669 in Superior's sale of February 1991. A few other examples have been reported over the years, but most such reports were the result of confused or incorrect pedigrees."

"A small raised pimple on Liberty's neck was in the die," Rohan said, "and is a hallmark of 1848 proof quarter eagles, but it is not a pedigree marker for individual specimens. The date is high in the field, with the top of the 1 solidly joined to the bust and the final 8 centered between the neck truncation and the border."

"It would be hard to improve upon David Akers' original description of the coin," Rohan said. " He noted, 'Very sharply struck on the obverse, but weakly struck on the eagle's left leg and on the left and right talons. (This is characteristic of the other known proofs of this date and also most proof quarter eagles of the 1840's). The fields are deeply mirrorlike and have quite a few light hairlines and minor abrasions. They are more evident on the obverse, particularly in the left field, than on the reverse. The edge is sharp and square and has a partial wire rim.'"

Images, descriptions, and prices realized from all of Heritage's previous auctions are available in the Permanent Auction Archives at the Heritage website.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.