1033

1855-D $2 1/2 MS60 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1855-D $2 1/2 MS60 PCGS.
1855-D $2 1/2 MS60 PCGS. Variety 18-M. (per Doug Winter's second edition and revised attribution system). The only variety for the year. Reverse of 1850-1859.RARITY INFORMATION: The 1855-D quarter eagle is the second rarest coin ever produced at the Dahlonega mint, narrowly trailing the 1856-D. A strong case can be made for calling the 1855-D the rarer of the two in high grades as a higher percentage of 1856-D's are seen in AU50 to MS60 grades. Approximately 45-55 of the 1855-D quarter eagles are known with around 10-12 in About Uncirculated and one or two in Uncirculated. NGC has graded a single coin in MS61 with no other Uncirculated pieces, while PCGS has graded two: the Green Pond specimen, and an MS60 in the Duke's Creek collection.STRIKE: The 1855-D is among the worst struck of all Dahlonega quarter eagles. This piece shows an average quality strike. It has some centralized weakness on the obverse and the left denticles are not fully formed. On the reverse, the denticles are incomplete from 10 to 4 o'clock and there is some noticeable weakness in the center. It should be stressed that this weakness is really diagnostic for the issue and the overall detail on this piece is actually good for the issue.SURFACES: Both the obverse and reverse show some roughness which may be as produced or could be the result of the coin having been exposed to some sort of element in the soil. There are some hidden but deep digs on the reverse including at least three or four on the eagle, plus others located on the first S in STATES and on the E in AMERICA.LUSTER: It is difficult to gauge how much luster remains on the surfaces as the coloration is deep enough to obscure it. Very few 1855-D quarter eagles, even those graded in the mid-About Uncirculated grades by PCGS or NGC, show much remaining luster.COLORATION: There is unusual deep coloration on the obverse and reverse that should be removed in order to improve this coin's appearance. We have only seen one or two higher grade 1855-D quarter eagles with strictly original coloration, and any piece that is offered for sale that does have nice hues should realize a strong premium over a typical example.EYE APPEAL: This is an issue that is essentially impossible to find with good eye appeal. We are aware of just two or three truly attractive 1855-D quarter eagles and, to the best of our knowledge, their owners aren't selling anytime soon.COMPARABLES: This is the only 1855-D that has been certified in Mint State by a major third-party service and has sold at public auction in close to twenty years.PEDIGREE: Obtained via Mark Feld (Pinnacle Rarities) from Bob Harwell and Jeff Garrett at the 2000 ANA Convention; earlier Ex: Chestatee Collection/1999 ANA Sale (Heritage, 8/99), lot 7657 ($40,250); Hancock and Harwell. This is the plate coin in Doug Winter's book on Dahlonega gold and it is listed in the current Condition Census as the fourth 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.