1857-D $2 1/2 MS62 PCGS....

Description

Condition Census 1857-D Quarter Eagle
MS62, Bright, Near-Prooflike Fields

1857-D $2 1/2 MS62 PCGS. Variety 20-M. This challenging quarter eagle hails from one of the most historic years in U.S. numismatics. The old "large coppers" were discontinued, and the S.S. Central America sank in a hurricane off the coast of South Carolina. Inland in Dahlonega, Georgia, the fledgling branch mint had been producing modest amounts of gold coins for nearly two decades but was approaching the end of its utility. The production of quarter eagles in 1857 was a mere 2,364 pieces, up from the previous two years (including the amazingly low-mintage 1856-D at 874 pieces) but still a paltry amount. Interestingly for a mint with a generally spotty quality record, it managed to produce the 1857-D quarter eagles with excellent appeal.
This piece offers bright, nearly prooflike fields with traces of die striations evident around the peripheries, and it is remarkably well struck. The surfaces sport yellow-gold color predominating, with generous amounts of lilac and deeper reddish patina interspersed on each side. In MS62 this piece is near the upper end of the Condition Census for the issue, tied with a few other pieces, while NGC and PCGS have each certified a single MS63 finer (2/10).
From The Lucy Llewellyn Collection of Southern Gold.(Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25JD, PCGS# 7783, GSID# 8382)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 4.18 grams
AGW: 0.12095oz
Mintage: 2,364

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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