1802/1 $2 1/2

Description

Finest Certified 1802/1 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle

1802/1 $2 1/2 MS64 NGC. The Capped Bust Right series of Quarter Eagles features one rarity after another, the result of meager production figures and widespread melting due intrinsic value often exceeding the $2.50 face value. It was not until 1834 that this problem was finally alleviated by reducing both the total weight and fineness of these early gold issues. Within this series of rarities, only the final year 1807 with a mintage that "ballooned" to 6,812 coins is more obtainable that the presently offered 1802/1. Of the scant 3,035 pieces originally produced, survivors are estimated to be in the vicinity of 100 coins. Of that number, a fair percentage owe their survival to jewelry use and today are in an obviously impaired state
Only on a handful of occasions over the past ten years have we been lucky enough to offer a Mint State 1802/1 Quarter Eagle, and none of those could match the quality of the presently offered specimen. The pale green-gold surfaces display a modest degree of reflectivity in the fields that do, at certain angles, heighten a few faint scuff marks about the portrait. Striking details are extremely well executed except for the very centers of each side where there is characteristic bluntness. Taken by itself, the glittering reverse would qualify as a Gem. Certainly one of, if not THE finest known example of this early gold issue and currently the finest certified by either major service. Population: 1 in 64, 0 finer (5/01).

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25F6, PCGS# 7650, GSID# 8251)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 4.37 grams
AGW: 0.1288oz
Mintage: 3,035

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 NGC