Lot 1692
1854-C. PCGS graded MS-62. CAC Approved. Mostly untoned. Scarce in this grade. Only 7,295 minted. A classic quarter eagle rarity in high grades, especially so in select Mint State as seen here. Charlotte struck fewer of these than in prior years (although there were no quarter eagles made at this mint in 1853). It seems that virtually all of the production wore into much lower grades in circulation. We note the lustrous, desirable Mint original surfaces of this specimen bedazzle the eye with their bright greenish to yellow gold color, and we see none of the typical haze or dullness over the luster. As to the strike, this one really excels, noted expert Doug Winter wrote in his reference on the series that "Weak strikes are the rule for this date. The obverse is often blurry on the hair around Liberty's ear. The reverse is always weaker than the obverse; the center and eagle's claws are invariably very weak…." We note that the hair around Liberty's ear is decidedly well struck, especially so given the date, and while the reverse shows the expected softness on the eagle's thigh, claws and areas around the shield, elsewhere everything is finely detailed. The obverse die is bereft of light clash marks seen on some other 1854-C survivors. Virtually no identifying marks on this one, there is a very shallow area in the upper eyelid on Liberty if that counts as an identifier. An American classic, the grading services report few others in Mint quality. Pop 4; none finer at PCGS (PCGS # 7770) .
Estimated Value $20,000 - 22,000.
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| Realized $22,913 |
