Lot 1910
1881. PCGS graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo. Well struck with glittering uniform golden-orange sunset toning. Only 51 Proofs struck for this rare low mintage date. A splendid glittering specimen that displays sharp frosty devices, sweet mirror "orange peel" fields, and grand eye appeal. The 1881 quarter eagle is a very rare issue with a total mintage of fewer than 700 pieces (this figure includes business strikes as well as Proofs). All things considered the present Proof Liberty quarter eagle is among the finest specimens of U.S. gold coinage of this year ever catalogued by the present writer, but you will have to form your own opinion. Only 51 Proof quarter eagles were made during the year, with a tiny fraction able to match the quality seen here, as is attested by the PCGS Census data. John Dannreuther and Jeff Garrett in their Official Red Book of Auction Records 2000-2006 enumerate a tiny handful of appearances of 1881 Proof quarter eagles, but none with grades higher than Proof 65. Pop 4; 1 finer in 64+ (PCGS # 97907) .
Note: The 1881 quarter eagle has a business strike mintage of only 640 pieces, the third-lowest production for a Liberty quarter eagle issue, which makes it one of the most difficult Philadelphia dates to find for the series.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
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| Realized $14,375 |
