1841 $2 1/2 PR55 NGC....

Description

1841 Liberty Quarter Eagle, PR55
The Legendary 'Little Princess'
Breen Encyclopedia Plate Coin

1841 $2 1/2 PR55 NGC. In the third edition of 100 Greatest U.S. Coins, authors Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth place the 1841 quarter eagle in 94th place, ahead of the 1854-O double eagle, among other great coins. In the absence of solid facts, a great deal of speculation has been offered in the past, only increasing the legend of this issue.
For several decades, the 1841 quarter eagle has been billed as "The Little Princess." The origin of that name is unknown, "but some have attributed the name to Abe Kosoff, a dealer who was active from the 1940s until the 1970s," according to Garrett and Guth.
The mintage quantity is unknown, although some have suggested 20 to 25 pieces, nor is it known why this coin was struck at all. One old story suggests that the larger "proof" mintage was produced for foreign dignitaries visiting the Mint. "However, the fact that nearly every 1841 quarter eagle was discovered in the United States refutes that theory," according to Garrett and Guth.
Recent discussion has suggested that many of those may have been business strikes, citing the current population of 15 to 20 coins. That survival estimate is entirely out of line when compared to other proof quarter eagles from the 1840s. In fact, there are nearly as many 1841 quarter eagles known today as there are for all other dates in the 1840s, combined.
NGC and PCGS have graded a combined total of 15 coins, as low as PR (Good) 4, and as high as PR64 Ultra Cameo. This piece and one other have received the NGC PR55 grade, with only two finer at that service (9/11).
The present specimen has abraded light yellow surfaces with strong design definition. Traces of mirrored finish remain around some devices, including between the vertical shield stripes on the reverse. The high points show evidence of light wear.
Ex: Stephen Baer; Q. David Bowers; Arthur Lamborn (duplicate); Fairfield Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1977), lot 1481; Winsor Sale (Abner Kreisberg, 11/1981), lot 254; Charles Kramer Collection (Stack's and Superior, 11/1988), lot 115; Superior (5/1989), lot 1751; Superior (10/1989), lot 3996; Bowers and Merena (11/1998), lot 2157.
From The Baltimore Collection, Part Two.(Registry values: P10)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25LZ, PCGS# 7867, GSID# 8411)

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

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 all of [The Baltimore Collection, Part Two ]

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