Lot 1380
1841-C $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded EF-45. Untoned. Only 10,281 pieces struck. A curious person might well ask: Now what events were taking place in America back in 1841 when this Liberty Quarter Eagle entered the streams of commerce. On the one hand, 1841 was a pretty dull year in the nation's past. There were no gory battles being fought. Well, if one ignores the ever-present Indian wars. Those had been going on for pretty much the whole of the 19th century; no empires a-building or being torn asunder, no artistic endeavors coming to fruition that were worth noting -- none of these.
There were, on the other hand, two small beginnings taking place which would have an impact down the road. First, Samuel L. Clemens was growing up alongside the muddy Mississippi River in a dusty town called Florida, Missouri, that would become famous as "Hannibal." Mark Twain (the name he later went by) was soaking up the lore of the South in its stories about the mighty Mississippi, in his clever, six-year-old's brain.
At the same time, 1841 was a problematic year for newly elected Whig party President, William Henry Harrison. Harrison -- nicknamed "Tippecanoe" (everyone liked nicknames back then). Why? For the simple reason that old Tippecanoe died of pneumonia 31 days after taking office in 1841! His Vice President, John Tyler, would become the first non-elected President. And because of his unprecedented elevation to the office, his followers nicknamed Tyler President "Your Accidency"! To further confuse things, when Harrison and Tyler ran for office the year before, their platform slogan was "Log Cabin and Hard Cider." Imagine today's front-runners using such a campaign slogan! "Gin and Tonic All Around!" 1841, therefore, was either dreary or interesting depending upon your point of view (PCGS # 7721) .
Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400.
The Arden Collection.
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| Realized $2,415 |
