Lot 2117
1839-C $2.50 Classic Head. NGC graded MS-61. In NGC holder 1293449-018. A nice untoned example. Mintmark on obverse above the date. Light yellow gold still evident in the protected areas merging into brighter shades on the topmost curls and feathers, and throughout much of the field; very attractive, and with indications of extra careful handling and preservation over the years. Probably the net result of loving ownership by its former admirers. Sharply struck with a wealth of detail, this scarce issue has extraordinary importance as the first quarter eagle from the newly opened Charlotte Mint. There is a bisecting die break diagonally across the obverse as clearly depicted in the photograph. A similar die crack, now vertical, bisects the reverse from top to bottom.
Identification of three die varieties of 1839-C:
A: Mintmark over left half of digit 3. Tip of branch stem over right upright of D. Usually cracked, neck to right wing.
B: Mintmark over left half of digit 3. Tip of branch stem over left edge of D. Usually cracked through E of STATES.
C: Mintmark over space between 83. Usually cracked, left shield tip to beak.
One of the few Mint State examples known. Only 18,140 struck. Pop 9; 2 in 62; 1 in 63. (PCGS # 7699) .
This piece was struck during the Presidency of Martin Van Buren. Van Buren took $100,000, the sum of his salary as President over four years, in a lump sum at the end of his term. (That is the equivalent of 4,000 of these 1839-C quarter eagles. Mighty fine money in those days. Heap big moolah today!).
Estimated Value $27,000 - 30,000.
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