5133

[L#5133] 1839-D $2.50 NGC AU53

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 6,750.00 USD
[L#5133] 1839-D $2.50 NGC AU53
Among quarter eagles of the Classic Head type designed by William Kneass the present 1839-D stands in advance of its peers. It is clearly choice, quite well-struck, in vivid yellow gold, and with plenty of the luster remaining. The head of Liberty on this issue is somewhat unusual in its features, representing the experimentation or design tinkering that was occurring in the quarter eagle series, generally defined today by variation in the hair style. Although first modeled by William Kneass, engraver Christian Gobrecht, who by this time had taken over the day-to-day die making duties, was experimenting with the copper cent and with the gold quarter eagle, both being the smallest denominations made at the time in their respective metals. The limited mintage of quarter eagles by this Southern branch in 1839 was a mere 13,674 pieces.