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Sale 63
Lot 1397
1911-D. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck with a bold "D" mint mark. Mostly untoned. A very choice example for this Key Date coin. It is a sign of the magnitude of this auction that we are offering for bids this lovely Gem-quality example of the key-date 1911-D Indian Quarter Eagle. The NGC-certified piece in this lot is fully struck with keen-edged detail revealed not only the central-reverse high points such as the eagle's wing and neck feathers, but also the key D mintmark on the same side and the lowermost feathers in the obverse headdress. Both sides are entirely lustrous, though in keeping with the standards of the issue, the finish is not as vibrant as on a Philadelphia Mint 1911 quarter eagle; it has a slightly grainy texture. The color is a magnificent gold shade that, at certain angles, reveals slight joining of warm gold tinting. There are no abrasions or other blemishes, perhaps the most important point in establishing the allure of this coin for inclusion in a top-end collection of 20th century gold. Only 55,680 pieces minted. Pop 77; 4 finer (PCGS # 7943) .
The key date to the Indian quarter eagle series, this coin will delight the specialist for its choice surfaces and "strong D" mintmark on the reverse. Many of this date have the "weak D" mintmark, which is, of course, the important feature on the rarest date of the series. Although some counterfeits exist for this date, they are easy to tell apart, this one possesses the knife rim feature which is visible on most high grade originals. For all practical purposes only a single die pairing was used according the Breen (the second die pairing struck just 70 coins). The key date to the series, and one of the few gold date sets of anything most collectors could ever hope to complete.
Events of 1911: The big event this year has to be the Mexican Revolution. But also on the list of notable events of 1911 was when Eugene B. Ely landed on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania stationed in San Francisco harbor, marking the first time an aircraft had landed on a ship. In January, 1911, occurred the first Monte Carlo races (Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo).
Halfway around the world, on February 18, 1911, the first official air mail flight took place from Allahabad, India to Naini, India, when Henri Pequet carried 6,500 letters a distance of 13 km.
And finally, for art connoisseurs, August 22, 1911 goes down in history as the day the theft of the Mona Lisa was discovered in the Louvre. At the time, the painting was believed to be lost forever, and it was two years before the thief was discovered. Louvre employee Vincenzo Peruggia had stolen it by entering the building during regular hours, hiding in a broom closet and walking out with it hidden under his coat after the museum had closed. Peruggia was an Italian patriot who believed Leonardo's painting should be returned to Italy for display in an Italian museum. Peruggia may have also been motivated by a friend who sold copies of the painting, which would skyrocket in value after the theft of the original. After having kept the painting in his apartment for two years, Peruggia grew impatient and was finally caught when he attempted to sell it to the directors of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence; it was exhibited all over Italy and returned to the Louvre in 1913. Peruggia was hailed for his patriotism in Italy and only served six months in jail for the crime.
Estimated Value $45,000 - 50,000.
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| Realized $43,700 |
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