1495

1840-D $2 1/2 MS62 NGC. Variety 1-A. Th

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1840-D $2 1/2 MS62 NGC. Variety 1-A. Th
<B>1840-D<$2 1/2> MS62 NGC.</B></I> Variety 1-A. Struck from a perfect reverse die without cracks, and extremely rare as such. This is one of two varieties for the year, and it is easily recognizable by the mintmark that leans toward the 2 in the fraction.<BR> This is one of the single most important Dahlonega quarter eagles of any date. It is the only truly Uncirculated 1840-D that we are aware of, and it is by far the best struck piece we have seen. When branch mint gold specialist Doug Winter first saw the coin in Auction '84, he said he "was astounded by it" and continued, "As I have become more knowledgeable about this series over the years, the true significance of this coin has become more apparent to me."<BR> The strike is amazing for the date. Both the obverse and reverse show virtually full detail, with uncommonly sharp centers. As mentioned above, the reverse shows no die crack, and this is one of only three or four perfect-die coins. There is some minor roughness in the obverse fields, as made, as well as a few ticks that are consistent with the assigned grade. This coin is head and shoulders above any other 1840-D quarter eagle in terms of eye appeal, so much so that it almost seems unfair to mention them. The luster is slightly subdued, with some natural haziness; the obverse is just a bit reflective, while the reverse is frostier in its texture. The color is a natural light green-gold.<BR> The late Jack Hancock considered this coin to be a highlight of the Duke's Creek Collection, and it was one of his all-time favorite coins. The 1840-D is the single rarest Dahlonega quarter eagle in high grades, and if one is a serious collector of D-mint two and a halves or quarter eagles in general, this coin presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is unlikely to be exceeded by any other 1840-D.<BR><I>Ex: New Netherlands (11/56), lot 219; Bareford Collection (Stack's, 12/78), lot 86; Hancock and Harwell; Dr. Arthur Montgomery Collection; Auction '84 (Stack's session, 8/84), lot 1309; Georgia Collection; Hancock and Harwell; Leon Farmer Collection; Hancock and Harwell. This is the plate coin in the first edition of Doug Winter's book</B></I> Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861.<BR><I>From The Duke's Creek Collection of Dahlonega Gold.</B></I>