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*HIGHLIGHT OF ENTIRE AUCTION* 1825 Gold Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Graded ms64 By SEGS (fc)

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:57,500.00 - 115,000.00 USD
*HIGHLIGHT OF ENTIRE AUCTION* 1825 Gold Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Graded ms64 By SEGS (fc)
***Auction Highlight*** 1825 BD-2 Gold Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Graded ms64 By SEGS. HIGHLIGHT OF THE ENTIRE AUCTION - Up for auction is a superb Semi PL example of the Ultra Rare 1825 Bust Quarter Eagle Gold. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a. The 1825 Capped Head Left quarter eagle claims a mintage of 4,434 pieces, quite small in absolute terms, but about average in the context of the series. Three die varieties have been identified for the date. This coin represents the BD-2 variety, with a recut 5 in the date and the numerals in the fraction placed far from the bar on the reverse. The BD-2 is the most common variety for the issue, but it is still very scarce, with a surviving population of 80-100 examples in all grades. The BD-2 probably accounted for 2,000-3,000 pieces of the reported mintage. The obverse die was used again on the 1825 BD-3 variety and the hardy reverse was used previously to strike all the quarter eagles in 1821, 1824, and the 1825 BD-1 variety. The reverse failed in this usage, showing terminal die cracks in the later die state. Although the quarter eagle denomination was not heavily used in commerce, it was always popular with collectors because it had the lowest face value of the early gold coins, making it more affordable than its five or ten dollar counterparts. An early auction appearance was lot 2800 of the Sixth Semi-Annual Sale (W. Elliot Woodward, 3/1865): "1825 Splendid, a proof impression, rare in this condition." Present-day numismatists are divided on the question of whether the 1825 quarter eagle was ever actually struck in proof format, but John Dannreuther states that if proofs were coined they were probably struck from the BD-2 dies. A coin in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution has been called a proof, and it is a BD-2 example. However, Jeff Garrett doubts the proof status of the coin. Chances are the coin in Woodward's auction was a proof like business-strike. It realized $5.00 to J.O. Emery, a reasonable price at the time. The auction record for this issue was set back in 1988, when a phenomenal coin that is now graded MS67 PCGS sold for $137,500 in Auction '88. The present coin is a delightful MS64 example, with well-detailed design elements that show just a touch of softness on the shield. The bright yellow and greenish-gold surfaces are partially proof like and show only minor signs of contact. Overall eye appeal is outstanding. He last ms64 that went to auction in 2014, realized $105,750. I have included a picture of that coin. Please note the distracting cheek mark. Ours has no distracting marks on either side, great light cameo contrast and very clean for the grade. Only 3 finer known. Tied for 4th finest known. A Corey's Pick, Bid to Win, Don't let it get Away, you might not find its equal Coin. I give this coin my highest recommendation