1848 $2 1/2

Description

Extremely Rare 1848 Proof Quarter Eagle--Ex: Davies-Niewoehner And WGC

1848 PR 62 PCGS. Another very rare early proof quarter eagle. This is the first 1848 proof we have ever offered for sale at public auction. Only three proofs are believed known today even though Breen lists four. This special coin was last sold in 1991 and we quote part of that description: "Bold detail and light two tone contrast between the devices and mirrored background. A small frosty area below Liberty's hair bun can be used for future identification. Any hairlines are faint and widely scattered, and none of them take away from the coin's sharp appearance as an extremely rare early American Proof." The description goes on (as do all the references that cover this issue) to mention the die chip on the neck of Liberty as a diagnostic of the few proofs known. Akers also makes mention of the 1 in the date which solidly touches the bust while the other numerals are well away and the final 8 is centered between the truncation and the denticles. The three proofs known are:
1. National Numismatic Collection, Smithsonian Institution.
2. John J. Pittman Collection (Akers, 5/98), lot 1759; Thomas G. Melish (Kosoff, 4/56), lot 1181; George H. Earle (Henry Chapman, 4/12), lot 2541.
3. The presently offered specimen; Superior (2/91), lot 2669; Ed Trompeter; Dr. Elias Rand; Davies-Niewoehner (Paramount 2/75), lot 495; Fred Davies; Paramount International Coin Corp.; Stanley Kesselman; Texas Collector; World's Greatest Collection (Kosoff, 1/45), lot 115; F.C.C. Boyd; William H. Woodin (Elder, 3/11), lot 973.

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 7874, GSID# 8434)

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 Certification Details from PCGS