1849-D $2 1/2 MS62 NGC. Variety 12-M. Low date with the 1 very close to the denticles. This is the rarer of the two varieti...

Description

Possible Finest Known 1849-D Quarter Eagle

1849-D $2 1/2 MS62 NGC. Variety 12-M. Low date with the 1 very close to the denticles. This is the rarer of the two varieties of this year by a substantial margin.
The 1849-D is easily the scarcest of the late 1840s quarter eagles from this mint. There were 10,945 pieces struck, of which 125-150 are believed to exist today. It is the 10th rarest of 20 issues in the series in higher grades. Approximately three dozen pieces are known in AU, and just four or five properly graded Uncirculated pieces are believed extant, the highest graded of which is MS62. The current NGC population of seven coins in this grade is undoubtedly inflated by resubmissions.
This piece shows a typical strike for the date, with some weakness on the forehead of Liberty; the reverse is sharp overall, with good detail on the legs and wings. The surfaces are lustrous and show several light ticks and a few faint hairlines (not from cleaning). The obverse has golden-brown color, while the reverse is a bit lighter with bluish overtones. Overall, this is a pleasing coin for the grade, and an example with much better eye appeal than usually seen on this underrated date.
This is the first auction appearance for this coin since 1984 and it will, no doubt, bring considerably more than the $5,500 that it sold for more than two decades ago. The current Condition Census lists this coin as the finest known 1849-D quarter eagle.
Ex: Renz Collection (BMM, 3/48), lot 3581; Bareford Collection (Stack's, 12/78), lot 97, where it realized $3,800; Dr. Arthur Montgomery Collection; Hancock and Harwell; Auction '84 (Stack's session, 8/84), lot 1318, where it brought $5,500; Georgia Collection; Hancock and Harwell; Leon Farmer Collection; Hancock and Harwell. This is the plate coin in the first edition of Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861.
From The Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold.(Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25HF, PCGS# 7754, Greysheet# 8361)

Weight: 4.18 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

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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