Lot 1194
1842-D $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded AU-53. In a new 4 pronged NGC holder. Well struck on slightly marbeled surfaces and untoned. All details nice and strong. Only 4,643 minted. Lustrous light yellow gold. Excellently struck -- notably so -- including far more details than average (but not needle sharp) definition on the eagle's neck and shield. A highly important variety. Only a few reported in Mint condition.
The date logotype on the 1842-D is high and more deeply impressed at the top of the date than at the bottom, indicating that the logotype punch was not driven in a true vertical alignment. Very minor traces of repunching under the 1. Reverse has the D mintmark overlapping a feather, with part of the feather visible at the center of the letter and a tiny part of the feather extending from the left of the upright.
Throughout the early 1840s quarter eagles, collectors are confronted with a very small production totals. Nearly all have disappeared, with the result that the population today is very low, possibly existing only to the extent of several dozen specimens. The 1842-D may be in the same league as a rarity with the 1854-D, 1855-D, and 1856-D, and certainly is rarer than the latter two in grades above than Extremely Fine.
The virtual unavailability of such pieces should be emphasized. Stated another way, never in the history of numismatics has anyone ever assembled an Uncirculated set of Dahlonega Mint quarter eagles. Pop 4; 20 finer with 7 in 55, 8 in 58, 4 in 61, 1 in 62 (PCGS # 7725) .
Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500.
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| Realized $6,325 |
