1808 $2 1/2 --Improperly Cleaned--NCS. AU Details....

Description

1808 Quarter Eagle, BD-1, Sharpness of AU
Among the Rarest U.S. Coin Types

1808 $2 1/2 --Improperly Cleaned--NCS. AU Details. Breen-6125, Bass-3017, BD-1, R.4. The 1808 quarter eagle is a type coin that is at the head of its class. It is listed as number 95 in the Garrett-Guth list of 100 Greatest U.S. Coins, although it is surprising to this cataloger that its ranking is not much higher. Much like the 1796 quarter, it is a one-year type coin with a small mintage, in this case 2,710 pieces. (The 1796 quarter, by contrast, was produced to the extent of 6,146 pieces.)
The 1808 quarter eagle is among the first fruits of the labors of Mint assistant engraver John Reich, who worked for exactly one decade, from 1807-1817, before resigning in apparent disgust over his shabby treatment as an employee. The 1808 quarter eagle would be the last of the denomination coined until 1821, when the Capped Head Left design would supersede the 1808's design.
This specimen is bright yellow-gold overall, with just a touch of reddish patina. A few tiny marks on each side are insignificant, although a rim bump above the R in AMERICA and a shallow diagonal scratch below the I require mention. The strike is uniformly sharp, but the usual weakness appears in certain areas--from 2 to 6 o'clock on the obverse and 3 to 5 on the reverse. Despite the noted cleaning, there are no actual hairlines showing, but the luster is muted and diffuse. This piece is nonetheless a desirable and elusive example of one of the rarest U.S. coin types, and should elicit spirited bidding at auction.
From The R.M. Phillips Limited Partnership Collection.(Registry values: P8)

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 7660, GSID# 8217)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 4.37 grams
AGW: 0.1288oz
Mintage: 2,710

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.

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