1738

1840-C $2.50 Liberty PCGS MS63

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:14,000.00 USD Estimated At:28,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
1840-C $2.50 Liberty PCGS MS63
Boldly made, prooflike in the fields, outstanding surfaces. (PCGS serial number 50021277.) In discussing the aspects that make this such a highly important coin, several factors must be mentioned.

The condition of this specimen is outstanding. Indeed, this clearly is among the finest known in Douglas Winter's book, Charlotte Mint Gold Coins: 1838-1861. It stands near the top of the list on page 44, the closest contender being in the MS-60 range. Similarly, Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins makes specific mention of only a single Mint State coin of this issue, the Harry Bass specimen (which also grades PCGS MS63). At this point we must mention -- as we do several times throughout the catalogue -- that certification service numbers are one thing, but actual rarity can be another. During the past decade or so many scarce and rare coins have been resubmitted to various services and even to the same service, with the result that three or four or five listings in a population report might represent just a single coin!

In addition, the 1840-C is the first year of the Liberty Head series; thus, for the type collector or the Charlotte specialist, the 1840 has a special cachet. Furthermore, not only is the 1840-C a rarity in Mint State, but the issue is generally scarce in any grade. Lastly, but just as key, this lovely 1840-C is, in a word, incredible. We expect all stops to be drawn out, all caution thrown to the wind when this quarter eagle crosses the block. Bid with the virtual certainty that you may wait years or even decades before ever seeing another piece that equals this one (if indeed such a piece exists outside of a museum). (#7718)