1840-D $2.50 MS(PCGS#7719)

1840-D $2.50 MS (PCGS#7719)

Spring 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: A handsome and inviting About Uncirculated example of an early D-Mint gold issue that is rare even in heavily worn condition. Lightly patinated in golden-apricot, both sides exhibit warm underlying color in honey-olive. Plenty of bold detail remains, softness in and around the central reverse is characteristic for an issue that Doug Winter (2023) describes as, "among the most poorly struck Dahlonega quarter eagles from the 1840s." There are few noticeable marks, which are widely scattered and consistent with the assigned grade. A touch of glossiness to the texture is noted for accuracy, but the eye appeal is strong.<p>The first Liberty Head quarter eagle from the Dahlonega Mint, the 1840-D has a mintage of 3,532 pieces. Unlike many other first year issues, the 1840-D was not saved to an appreciable extent, if at all. Attrition through use was very high, and today it is likely that only about 100 coins are extant in all grades (per PCGS CoinFacts). Doug Winter ranks the 1840-D as the third rarest Dahlonega Mint quarter eagle in terms of total number of coins extant in all grades. The offered coin is finer than most and is sure to elicit strong bids from specialists.<p>Struck from an early reverse state of the Winter 1-A dies, there are no reverse cracks and, more significantly, the bisecting obverse die crack is also not seen. Of this die state Doug Winter observes, "A few exist with a perfect obverse die and they are in demand among specialists."<p><p>