1842-C $2.50 MS(PCGS#7724)

The November 2010 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Bowers & Merena

Lot Number

4810

Grade

AU53

Price

4,945

Lot Description

1842-C Liberty Quarter Eagle. Winter Variety 1 (3-B), the only known dies. AU-53 (NGC). A leading rarity from this Southern branch mint in all grades, the 1842-C is actually the most elusive Charlotte Mint Quarter Eagle at the AU and Mint State levels. A challenging issue to grade, most 1842-C Two-and-a-Halves are very poorly struck. Not so the present example. Sure, both sides have some noticeably softness of detail in isolated areas, but the overall definition is really quite bold. The color is an even green-gold shade, and none of the scattered abrasions are singularly distracting to the unaided eye. The original mintage for this issue is a scant 6,729 pieces, and Doug Winter (2008) accounts for only 100-125 survivors in all grades.