1494

"1839-D $2 1/2 MS64 NGC. Variety 1-A, Mc"

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
 1839-D $2 1/2 MS64 NGC. Variety 1-A, Mc
<B>1839-D<$2 1/2> MS64 NGC.</B></I> Variety 1-A, McCloskey-A, R.3. This is the more common of the two varieties for this year, and it is quickly identifiable by a weak olive branch.<BR> An estimated 8,000 examples of this variety were produced. The 1839-D quarter eagle is one of just five one-year-only issues from the Dahlonega Mint. It is among the most popular of all quarter eagles because of its status as the first-year-of-issue as well as the only Dahlonega coin of this denomination with the popular Classic Head design. As many as 200 pieces are known, and this includes as many as a dozen that qualify as Uncirculated by today's standards. Clearly, some were saved as souvenirs, and there are at least three known today that grade MS64 or higher.<BR> This piece shows a nice strike for the date. The radial lines of the stars are nearly complete, and there is some minor weakness on the curls around the ear and face. The obverse is very clean, with no marks of note; the reverse shows a short but somewhat deep planchet defect through ER in AMERICA toward the shield. The luster is satiny and original, with the soft, luxuriant texture that is typical of higher grade 1839-D quarter eagles. Both sides have acquired attractive medium to deep orange-gold color, and this is an uncommonly attractive example of this coveted type.<BR> We believe this coin is the third finest known 1839-D quarter eagle, trailing the James Stack coin (graded MS64 by PCGS) and the Bass II: 314 coin (conservatively graded MS63 by PCGS); that piece is now owned by an Alabama collector. The Duke's Creek coin is likely to be the finest example available for some time and, as such, it represents a great opportunity for the advanced specialist or type collector.<BR><I>Ex: Superior (2/98), lot 3334, where it brought $31,900; Hancock and Harwell.</B></I><BR><I>From The Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold.</B></I>