1510

1853-D $2 1/2 MS62 NGC. Variety 16-M. T

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1853-D $2 1/2 MS62 NGC. Variety 16-M. T
<B>1853-D<$2 1/2> MS62 NGC.</B></I> Variety 16-M. The only variety of the year. The reverse die is the same as seen on all quarter eagles struck at Dahlonega from 1847 through 1859.<BR> An average strike for the date, with some weakness on the curls around the face and on the reverse at the eagle's left leg and right claw. The surfaces are somewhat granular in texture, as commonly seen on this issue, and a good deal of mint luster clings to lightly marked fields. There is one small mark at the base of Liberty's neck, and the reverse is quite clean. Both sides show orange-gold toning, with rich blue shades on the highpoints.<BR> Despite a very low mintage figure of 3,178 pieces, the 1853-D is overshadowed by the 1854-D, 1855-D, and 1856-D quarter eagles. Fewer than 100 examples of the 1853-D are known in all grades, and the average specimen is a well-worn VF or XF with poor eye appeal. There are fewer than two dozen examples known in AU, and five or six in Uncirculated. There are a total of three graded in MS62 between the two services, and this piece is clearly the finest. This coin is listed on the latest Condition Census as the finest 1853-D quarter eagle. This is another extremely important coin from the Duke's Creek Collection. It is interesting to note that this piece sold for nearly $20,000 in 1985, at a time when one could buy several serious Dahlonega coins for this sum and have quite a bit of money left over.<BR><I>Ex: Jasper Robertson (Mid-American, 5/85), lot 1275, where it brought $18,150; Leon Farmer Collection; Hancock and Harwell. 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>