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1807 $2 1/2 XF 40 Damaged, Repaired. Pale copper-russet patina overlays the otherwise yellow-gold faces. The balance of the surfaces are smooth and problem-free, but the obverse periphery behind Liberty's cap displays evidence of serious damage. There was probably a hole through the coin at this location, as the reverse field near the arrows displays similar roughness. The suitable remaining details are, however, an addition to this coin's allure as a relatively affordable type candidate. (PCGS# 7656)
Auction 213 | Lot: 5376 | Nov 21, 1999

Sold For: $1,955.00
1843-C $2 1/2 Large Date XF 40 Cleaned. The '43-C is a reasonably common issue by Charlotte standards and the Large Date variant is the more frequently encountered of the two date sizes. It is estimated that 145-155 pieces exist in all grades with 51-53 examples believed extant in XF condition. Softly struck, as always, the cleaned surfaces have recovered nicely with much reddish patina surrounding the devices. Uncertified. (PCGS# 7728)
Auction 263 | Lot: 5964 | Jun 2, 2001

Sold For: $920.00
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. XF 40 Cleaned. The discovery of gold on the American River in 1848 was the defining point in the history of the state of California and led to its eventual admission to the Union in 1850. As the first significant quantities of precious metal came into federal hands, the Military Governor of California, Colonel R. B. Mason, sent 230 ounces of bullion to Secretary of War William L. Marcy. The latter passed the gold on to Mint Director Robert Maskell Patterson with orders that some of it be used to strike Congressional medals for Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, the military heroes of the Mexican War. The remaining bullion was to be coined into quarter eagles, an order that yielded 1,389 1848-dated examples. To identify these coins as having been struck from the first shipment of California gold, and to distinguish them from the 7,497 quarter eagles also delivered by the Philadelphia Mint this year, the inscription CAL. was added to the reverse field above the eagle. Since CAL. was punched into each piece by hand, the position of the inscription varies slightly from coin to coin. Breen, however, states that forgeries are easily identifiable as the shapes of the letters and the period are identical on all original survivors.

The exact number of extant 1848 CAL. quarter eagles is not known with certainty, but this is a rare, conditionally challenging issue that is typically encountered in VF or XF grades. This is a lightly worn example whose surfaces display characteristic striking softness over the highpoints of the reverse portrait. There are scattered hairlines on both sides, but the deep green-gold color provides above average eye appeal. With no sizeable abrasions and ample remaining definition, we are confident that this coin will command a strong winning bid. (PCGS# 7749)
Auction 238 | Lot: 7062 | Oct 9, 2000

Sold For: $8,165.00
1832 $2 1/2 XF 40 Repaired, Cleaned. Numerous repairs and scratch removals. A rare type with a mintage of less than 26,000 pieces total for the six dates, and a miniscule production of 4,400 pieces for this issue. Beginning with 1832, the head of Liberty was redesigned with higher relief and different contours to the hair curls. This new design was continued with the issues of 1833 and 1834, and it would not be erroneous for these last three dates of the series to be classified as a separate type. In the past, it has been estimated that 200 pieces of the '32 are extant, but we feel this figure to be excessive and we estimate that no more than 100 specimens survive in all conditions. (PCGS# 7672)
Auction 213 | Lot: 5379 | Nov 21, 1999

Sold For: $1,523.75
1808 $2 1/2 XF 40 Rim Filing. "The character of the 'impression emblematic of Liberty' on our coins, does not appear, from any record I have seen, to have been determined by specific instruction from the government; nor has it been settled by any uniform practice here. The journals of the Senate...show that the head of the President was at first intended as the device for one side of our coins; and that the House of Representatives substituted the words now in the Law. But, neither the journals, nor the brief notices which the papers contain of the debates of that period, give any indication of the precise emblem intended."

The preceding selection was drawn from a letter that Mint Director Samuel Moore sent to Thomas Jefferson at Monticello on February 14, 1825. Given the myriad forms that Liberty has assumed on our nation's coinage, numismatists may be shocked to learn that even a figure as prominent as Thomas Jefferson could not recall a government order that stipulated her appearance. As a result, Liberty, like the nation that she represented, was a creation of the enterprising men and women who won their freedom from Great Britain at the end of the 18th century. In much the same way that colonists traveled across stormy seas to the New World in pursuit of freedom and fortune, early coin designers reached into the unknown depths of their own imagination to find the motif that best represented their view of America. In the spirit of the new nation, these founding fathers exercised their freedom and created the designs through which future generations of Americans would view their history.

Among the classic coin designs of 19th century America, John Reich's Capped Bust motif stands out as a perennial favorite among collectors and numismatic scholars alike. Although this representation has gained its widest recognition on the lettered edge half dollars of 1807-1836, Mint Director Robert Maskell Patterson also instructed the Bavarian-born engraver to prepare similar dies (PCGS# 7660)
Auction 213 | Lot: 5377 | Nov 21, 1999

Sold For: $22,425.00
1851-O $2 1/2 XF45 Uncertified, typically mushy olive-gold surfaces retain more than adequate luster; and a 1907 MS60 Uncertified, a nicely struck example of this final year issue. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7762)
Auction 275 | Lot: 6279 | Nov 17, 2001

Sold For: $391.00
1844 $2 1/2 XF40 Mount Removed, Cleaned Uncertified. A moderately worn example that was once used in jewelry and has a slightly pinkish appearance. Still from a low mintage issue, one of just 6,784 pieces originally struck. (PCGS# 7734)
Auction 271 | Lot: 8113 | Oct 6, 2001

Sold For: $322.00
1906 $2 1/2 MS60 Cleaned Uncertified, well struck with good luster and a couple of small specks of debris on the D in UNITED and the M in AMERICA; and a 1926 XF45 Uncertified, the devices have ample remnants of original luster, free from notable contact. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7858)
Auction 318 | Lot: 7219 | May 3, 2003

Sold For: $322.00
1839-C $2 1/2 XF40 Uncertified. Recut 39. Variety 3-C, McCloskey-C, R.3. The surfaces are a brassy-gold, and the design elements are relatively well struck, though the hair over Liberty's ear is soft. A few minor contact marks are visible, and a small pinscratch is noted at the eagle's beak. (PCGS# 7699)
Auction 384 | Lot: 4310 | Sep 24, 2005

Sold For: $2,070.00
1830 $2 1/2 XF 40 Damaged, Brushed. In the years preceding the Mint Act of 1834, mintage figures of quarter eagles remained well below the 10,000-coin mark. As the price of gold continued to soar on the international market, many of these low mintage issues witnessed widespread melting. Despite obvious impairments, the present example is an important survivor from a delivery of only 4,540 pieces. The unnaturally bright surfaces reveal unfortunate pinscratches across Liberty's cheek. Save for the eagle's wing tips, the devices are quite well defined for the grade. Yellow-gold coloration rounds out the appearance of this scarce specimen. (PCGS# 7670)
Auction 213 | Lot: 5378 | Nov 21, 1999

Sold For: $1,495.00
1908 $2 1/2 Quarter Eagle XF40 Uncertified, originally colored in orange and honey-gold shades with no evident problems; 1908 Half Eagle XF40 Uncertified, the olive-gold surfaces are modestly bright with some light handling marks in the reverse field; and a 1911-S Half Eagle VF30 Uncertified, moderately worn with reddish-gold color and a softly impressed mintmark. (Total: 3 coins) (PCGS# 7939)
Auction 280 | Lot: 8019 | Jan 12, 2002

Sold For: $488.75
1852-C $2 1/2 XF 45. A very scarce issue with only 75-85 pieces believed extant in all grades, the '52-C is rarely found above the XF level. This piece shows the usual softness of strike that is always seen on this issue. Heavy abrasions oftentimes plague the '52-C as well, and on this piece the most noticeable ones are two close together on the cheek of Liberty and another in the left obverse field. Uncertified. (PCGS# 7764)
Auction 263 | Lot: 5977 | Jun 2, 2001

Sold For: $1,380.00
1860-C $2 1/2 XF 40. A rare date, late Charlotte Mint quarter eagle. Almost no planchet flaws, unusual for this issue. Even wear and attractive. Uncertified. (PCGS# 7792)
Auction 263 | Lot: 5980 | Jun 2, 2001

Sold For: $1,380.00
1895 $2 1/2 XF45 Uncertified, traces of original luster are seen around the rims, the devices retain bold overall striking definition; and a 1913 AU55 Uncertified, this richly colored, reddish-gold coin is sharply defined with a few areas of deeper color over the upper and lower obverse. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7847)
Auction 280 | Lot: 8010 | Jan 12, 2002

Sold For: $345.00
1845 $2 1/2 XF 45 SEGS. A pleasing coin with lustrous surfaces and areas of orange toning in the protected areas. The devices r... (PCGS# 7737)
Auction 20061 | Lot: 1762 | May 30, 2000

Sold For: $170.00
1871-S $2 1/2 XF 40 Surface Damage PCI. A more difficult S-mint quarter eagle, but not quite as scarce as the preceding issues.... (PCGS# 7814)
Auction 20074 | Lot: 4559 | Jul 25, 2000

Sold For: $170.00
1843-C $2 1/2 Large Date XF 40. Somewhat softly impressed over the reverse, the obverse is well defined with no mentionable distractions. Traces of original luster are noted in the fields despite scattered abrasions. The majority of the 23,076 quarter eagles produced by the Charlotte Mint this year were probably of the Large Date variety. (PCGS# 7728)
Auction 244 | Lot: 8881 | Jan 6, 2001

Sold For: $862.50
1858-C $2 1/2 XF 45 Bent. A blatantly original C-mint quarter eagle, the surfaces are deeply colored in olive-gold patina. The obverse is well defined for the issue, but the reverse is typically weaker, especially over the eagle's leg feathers. Although bent at one time, this coin has been mostly straightened. (PCGS# 7787)
Auction 242 | Lot: 5435 | Nov 17, 2000

Sold For: $575.00
1830 XF 40. Damaged, Cleaned. Lustrous with the details of an XF coin. Unfortunately, it appears that this piece has been removed from jewelry and sustained considerable damage in the process. There are several digs on the obverse, scratches on the reverse, and visible rim bumps on both sides. Despite the damage, all of the devices are present and legible making this an affordable example of a very rare five-year type. Out of the small original mintage of 4,540 pieces, it is estimated that fewer than 100 pieces survive. (PCGS# 7670)
Auction 208 | Lot: 5544 | Aug 16, 1999

Sold For: $2,185.00
1908 quarter eagle XF 45 PCI; 1915 VF 35; 1925-D AU 50; 1925-D AU 53; 1928 AU 55; and an 1885-S half eagle XF 40. All are PCI encapsulated. (Total: 6 coins) (PCGS# 7939)
Auction 153 | Lot: 6589 | Mar 19, 1996

Sold For: $797.50
1846-D XF 45. A worthwhile issue from an original mintage of 19,303 pieces, the '46-D is a very scarce (and more costly) item when located any finer than XF. This is a well defined coin (fairly typical for the date) with original surfaces that still retain a fair portion of luster. (PCGS# 7742)
Auction 173 | Lot: 5259 | Jun 9, 1997

Sold For: $1,150.00
1891 $2 1/2 quarter eagle XF 45, Doubled Die Reverse, Breen-6310, quite attractive despite light wear, with orange-gold surfaces, from a small original mintage of just 11,040 pieces; and an 1899-S half eagle AU 55 Cleaned, bright yellow-gold with numerous hairlines on each side. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7843)
Auction 238 | Lot: 7065 | Oct 9, 2000

Sold For: $299.00
1853 $2 1/2 XF 40. Huge Lamination. Error gold coins are very rare because of the strict quality control in place in the Mint when gold coins were produced. They always generate strong interest and bring surprisingly high prices when offered at auction. This piece has a massive lamination from 12 to 3 o'clock on the obverse and it extends inward to the bottom of the coronet. Fascinating to look at, the rest of the coin is problem-free with no marks or abrasions worthy of mention. (PCGS# 7767)
Auction 238 | Lot: 7064 | Oct 9, 2000

Sold For: $69.00
1851-C quarter eagle XF 40 PCI, a low-mintage C-mint (14,923 pieces), typically found in VF or less, this piece exhibits yellow-gold surfaces that are typically soft on the highpoints of the obverse; and an 1883-CC double eagle XF 45 PCI, attractive, if moderately abraded, with considerable luster in the protected areas. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7760)
Auction 163 | Lot: 8177 | Aug 20, 1996

Sold For: $1,485.00
1839-D $2 1/2 XF 45 Rim Bruises. Variety 1-A. The more frequently seen of the two varieties, most easily attributed by the branch stem over the denomination that was weakened by die lapping. Probably more available than one would imagine, as many were saved as the first of their kind, the '39-D is, nevertheless, moderately scarce and always popular because of the Classic design and obverse mintmark. This piece has light green-gold color and weaker striking definition than usually seen with soft details on the eagle's wings. A long, but shallow facial scrape and two rim bruises at 12 o'clock are worthy of individual mention. (PCGS# 7700)
Auction 213 | Lot: 5383 | Nov 21, 1999

Sold For: $2,070.00
1839-D $2 1/2 XF 45. The only Classic Head quarter eagle struck at the Dahlonega Mint, the '39-D is also the first issue of this denomination to flow from the presses of the Georgia facility. Although most often encountered in VF or XF levels of preservation, few survivors of this low mintage issue are as smooth as the present example. Save for a small nick on the upper obverse rim, both sides are free of mentionable distractions. The eagle's feathers are poorly defined, but the balance of the features display pleasing delineation for the grade. Orange-gold color rounds out the appearance of this popular D-mint example. (PCGS# 7700)
Auction 213 | Lot: 5384 | Nov 21, 1999

Sold For: $2,415.00
1839-C $2 1/2 XF 45 Obverse Scratches. Recut 39. Well struck for the issue with a scratch on Liberty's face and nose and another in the field near the nose. Both sides exhibit interesting die cracking with slight traces of luster. (PCGS# 7699)
Auction 213 | Lot: 5382 | Nov 21, 1999

Sold For: $1,552.50
1844-D $2 1/2 XF 40. A good example of a nicely circulated coin from the Dahlonega Mint. Even wear, just light scratch marks in front of the neck. Uncertified. (PCGS# 7736)
Auction 263 | Lot: 5968 | Jun 2, 2001

Sold For: $805.00
1861-S $2 1/2 XF 45 Planchet Flaw. As indicated, there is an unfortunate planchet flaw that originates behind Liberty's mouth, runs through the field before her neck, and terminates just behind the point of her bust. Nevertheless, with crisply struck, light abraded surfaces and ample remnants of mint luster, this is a suitable representative of this heavily circulated issue. (PCGS# 7795)
Auction 211 | Lot: 5573 | Oct 13, 1999

Sold For: $488.75
1834 $2 1/2 Classic XF 40 Graffiti, initials have been scratched into the left obverse field, and the reverse field displays scattered pinscratches; 1836 XF 40 Cuts, Cleaned, in addition to several moderate abrasions, both sides reveal hairlines that do not speak well for this coin's originality; and an 1836 XF 40 Cleaned, this is a muted, honey-gold quarter eagle. (Total: 3 coins) (PCGS# 7692)
Auction 244 | Lot: 8871 | Jan 6, 2001

Sold For: $603.75
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8 XF 40 Cleaned; and an 1838 VF 20 Cleaned. Both examples are noticeably hairlined with variegated olive-gold colors. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 97694)
Auction 244 | Lot: 8873 | Jan 6, 2001

Sold For: $460.00
1842-D $2 1/2 XF 45 Lightly Cleaned. The second rarest, pre-1853 Dahlonega quarter eagle, the 1842-D is seldom offered at the present level of preservation. This piece shows little of the striking weakness that is often associated with this issue, and the sharply recut 18 in the date suggests that this coin was struck from an early die state. With a paltry mintage of only 4,643 pieces, and with no Mint State survivors known, this pleasing specimen should elicit considerable interest among Southern gold specialists. (PCGS# 7725)
Auction 244 | Lot: 8880 | Jan 6, 2001

Sold For: $9,775.00
1854-O $2 1/2 XF 40 Obverse Scratches and Lightly Cleaned, Reverse Polished, typically struck for an O-mint delivery; and a 1905 AU 55 Ex: Jewelry, Repaired, the green-gold surfaces display evidence of having been polished, there is also a trace of solder along the upper rim. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7772)
Auction 242 | Lot: 5431 | Nov 17, 2000

Sold For: $218.50
1863-S $2 1/2 XF 45 Cleaned. Even wear on a bold strike. A rare S-mint issue from the Civil War period. Uncertified. (PCGS# 7799)
Auction 263 | Lot: 5982 | Jun 2, 2001

Sold For: $529.00
1876 XF 45. Just a trifle soft on Liberty's hair curls, with attractive reddish highlights and a mild prooflike finish. Only 4,170 business strikes were issued. (PCGS# 7824)
Auction 208 | Lot: 5588 | Aug 16, 1999

Sold For: $1,121.25
1877 XF 45. Remnants of prooflike luster cluster about the devices under a thin layer of milky patina. The 1877 is easily distinguishable as a scarce issue, with only 1,632 pieces struck for circulation. (PCGS# 7826)
Auction 208 | Lot: 5589 | Aug 16, 1999

Sold For: $747.50
1843-O Small Date XF 40 Cleaned, light green-gold surfaces with a hint of luster in the protected areas; and an 1843-O Small Date AU 50, very well struck with minor roughness on the reverse rim at 11 o'clock, probably as struck. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7731)
Auction 208 | Lot: 5556 | Aug 16, 1999

Sold For: $431.25
1925-D XF 45; 1874 three-dollar AU 58 Obverse Scratches, several noticeable staple scratches on the obverse; and a 1909-D five-dollar MS 61, bright and lustrous. (Total: 3 coins) (PCGS# 7949)
Auction 162 | Lot: 5801 | Sep 24, 1996

Sold For: $1,100.00
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8 XF 40 Cleaned, Damaged; 1838 VF 20 Reverse Tooled, Cleaned; and an 1838 XF 40 Damaged, Repaired, Cleaned. A trio of problem-ridden quarter eagles that are suitable for filler purposes. (Total: 3 coins) (PCGS# 97694)
Auction 230 | Lot: 6417 | Jun 13, 2000

Sold For: $299.00
1910 $2 1/2 XF 45, honey-gold in appearance with a few wispy circulation marks; and a 1914-D AU 58, this is a lustrous, golden-rose colored representative of this conditionally challenging D-mint issue. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7941)
Auction 230 | Lot: 6454 | Jun 13, 2000

Sold For: $264.50
1847-C $2 1/2 XF40 Cleaned Uncertified. A later die state, this coin exhibits some evidence of die rust (as produced) in the reverse field. The orange-gold surfaces are a little subdued from the cleaning with scattered hairlines. One of just 23,226 pieces produced, and an affordable C-mint type candidate. The consignor unearthed this coin in June of 1998 at Sienna Plantation, Texas, and it is featured in magazine articles in the April 1999 edition of Western and Eastern Treasures and the 1999 Annual edition of Western and Eastern Treasures: Silver and Gold. (PCGS# 7745)
Auction 314 | Lot: 8117 | Mar 1, 2003

Sold For: $1,178.75
1912 $2 1/2 XF 45. An original olive-gold specimen with fifteen points of honest wear. (PCGS# 7944)
Auction 238 | Lot: 7078 | Oct 9, 2000

Sold For: $138.00
1871 XF 40 Cleaned, a scarce issue with an impressively low mintage of only 5,320 pieces; 1873 Open 3 XF 40, attractive orange patina; and an 1887 XF 45, lustrous, reduced mintage date of just 6,160 coins. (Total: 3 coins) (PCGS# 7813)
Auction 173 | Lot: 5279 | Jun 9, 1997

Sold For: $575.00

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$862 or more
1846-O XF 40. In spite of its twenty points of wear, the coin still retains considerable flash, most of which is from the semi-reflective finish seen in the fields. A bit softly struck, as often seen, there are a couple of field marks on the obverse that detract somewhat. Both sides have a strong presence of reddish patina, and interestingly the reverse is rotated approximately 90 degrees from its usual position. (PCGS# 7743)
Auction 197 | Lot: 5467 | Feb 15, 1999

Sold For: $862.50
1912 $2 1/2 XF 40; and a 1929 XF 40. Both examples display suitably detailed features and smooth surfaces beneath attractive copper-gold patina. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7944)
Auction 213 | Lot: 5410 | Nov 21, 1999

Sold For: $287.50
1914-D XF 40, dusky old-gold color; and a 1925-D AU 58, well struck with a few obverse marks. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7947)
Auction 192 | Lot: 5419 | Sep 29, 1998

Sold For: $299.00
1925-D $2 1/2 Quarter Eagle XF40 Polished Uncertified, heavy digs along the reverse border to the right of 12 o'clock; and a 1903 Eagle AU55 Lightly Cleaned Uncertified, wispy friction in the obverse fields. (Total: 2 coins) (PCGS# 7949)
Auction 308 | Lot: 8520 | Jan 11, 2003

Sold For: $287.50
1847-D $2 1/2 XF40 Cleaned Uncertified. A well struck and moderately worn coin, with reasonable detail and no offensive contact marks of consequence. The surfaces are a dull copper-yellow color. It has been suggested perhaps 90 to 100 specimens of this date have survived. (PCGS# 7746)
Auction 267 | Lot: 7614 | Aug 11, 2001

Sold For: $632.50

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