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1842-D $2 1/2 AU58 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1842-D $2 1/2 AU58 PCGS.
1842-D $2 1/2 AU58 PCGS. Variety 3-F. (per Doug Winter's second edition and revised attribution system). The 18 in the date is lightly repunched at its base. The only known die pair for this issue. Small date; same reverse as used on certain 1843-D quarter eagles.RARITY INFORMATION: This is the fifth rarest Dahlonega quarter eagle in terms of overall rarity but it is actually tied with the 1855-D for honors as the second rarest in higher grades. There are 75 to 85 pieces known, mostly in the Very Fine 25 to Extremely Fine 40 range. An estimated eight to ten AU coins exist with many at the lower range of this grade. We are not aware of a single unquestionably Uncirculated 1842-D quarter eagle (although many observers will feel that the Green Pond coin is very, very close to--if not fully--Mint State) and only one has been accorded a Mint State grade by PCGS or NGC (a single MS60 coin by NGC). This is one of three examples graded AU58 by PCGS as of November 2003 with none higher. In our opinion, it makes a very strong claim for being the finest known 1842-D quarter eagle.STRIKE: This is not generally a well struck issue but the present example is much sharper than usual. The obverse is quite well detailed with the hair showing good definition, even above the ear. The reverse is also sharp with little of the weakness that is commonly seen on the eagle's legs.SURFACES: There is an interesting mint-made depression on the cheek of Liberty that was probably the result of a foreign object adhering to the dies at the time of striking. This is seen on a small number of 1842-D quarter eagles and it is shallow enough on this coin to not be considered, in our opinion, a negative factor. The rest of the surfaces are very clean for the grade with an almost total absence of marks. It is unlikely that many other 1842-D quarter eagles have surfaces that compare to this lovely example.LUSTER: A good deal of frosty luster can be seen below the coloration. The luster appears slightly subdued, but this is mostly a result of the depth of the natural coloration. It is very unusual to find an 1842-D with this much luster as most are seen with heavy wear.COLORATION: Very attractive, deep yellow-gold and greenish-orange colors are located, in slightly different configurations, on the obverse and reverse. This is one of just a tiny handful of 1842-D quarter eagles that have original color and most have been totally stripped in an attempt to maximize their grade at PCGS or NGC.EYE APPEAL: For those who understand this enigmatic issue, the Green Pond 1842-D quarter eagle has exceptional eye appeal. It shows a good strike, very clean surfaces, lovely original color, and significant mint luster.COMPARABLES: One of the other PCGS AU58s sold for $18,400 as lot 342 in Bowers and Merena's October 1999 Bass II Sale. The other was sold for $15,525 in our January 2003 Ashland City Auction as lot 4660.PEDIGREE: Purchased from Doug Winter in July 2000; earlier in the Mark Hurst collection and obtained from Hancock and Harwell in November 1998. This is the plate coin in the second edition of the Winter book on Dahlonega gold coinage and it is listed in the Condition Census as the finest known. Important notice: Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid.