Lot 1355
1849-C $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Mostly well struck and basically untoned. Some hairlines and minor contact marks are scattered about, none of which are too serious. Only 10,220 minted. A major rarity in such high grade. Acceptable for the grade. A rarely offered year in Mint condition, far finer than usually seen. David Akers called this date "One of the rarest C-Mint quarter eagles, particularly in high grade." Walter Breen wrote, "Usually VF to EF, prohibitively rare AU." Douglas Winter called the date "Unknown" in Mint State, although several are now recorded, including a PCGS MS64 -- the finest known -- offered by Bowers (but unsold) in a March 2004 sale. Of those that were minted, it appears that nearly all went into circulation, seeing considerable use and becoming heavily worn in the process. The exact story of the present piece is not known, but its very special quality tells us that it was preserved with care, unlike the majority from the Charlotte Mint. NGC Pop 3; none finer. Finest known is a PCGS MS64. (PCGS # 7753) .
Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000.
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| Realized $14,375 |
