1856-C $2.50 MS(PCGS#7778)

1856-C $2.50 MS (PCGS#7778)

The August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale

Lot Description: 1856-C Liberty Quarter Eagle. Winter Variety 1 (17-J), the only known dies. AU-58 (PCGS). The final C-mint Quarter Eagle struck prior to 1858, the 1856-C has a limited mintage of only 7,913 pieces. Survivors are understandably elusive in numismatic circles, and Doug Winter (2008) allows for a total of only 95-125 examples in all grades. The present example--a conditionally rare near-Mint survivor--displays scattered areas of as-struck granularity and roughness to the surfaces that are diagnostic of all genuine representatives. Post-production distractions are more easily overlooked, however, as all are small in size and singularly inconspicuous to the eye. Rich olive-orange color blankets both sides and allows ready appreciation of an uncommonly sharp strike for this often poorly produced issue. Among the nicer-looking examples of the 1856-C Quarter Eagle that we have offered in recent sales.<br />     The 1856-C is the rarest Charlotte Mint Two-and-a-Half after only the 1843-C Small Date and 1855-C. It is similar to the 1843-C SD and 1844-C in high-grade rarity.