Legendary 1875 Liberty Quarter Eagle Rarity
1875 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. JD-1, the only known dies. Rarity-6. Proof-63 (PCGS). CAC. OGH Rattler.
Offered here is a highly significant example of the 1875 quarter eagle, an important date among classic U.S. Mint gold coins. This is a lovely Proof Liberty Head quarter eagle irrespective of date, in fact, with regal color in deep orange-gold and lighter pinkish-rose. The devices are fully struck with razor sharp definition on even the most intricate design features. The cameo contrast goes unmentioned on the old style PCGS insert, but is actually strong enough to suggest a CAM rating. The preservation justifies Choice quality apart from a concentration of light hairlines in the left obverse field, off Liberty's chin, that explain the Proof-63 designation from PCGS, which was also confirmed by CAC. This feature also serves as a useful identifier for tracking this important rarity through future market appearances. Few dates in U.S. coinage history are as desirable as 1875, as it was in that year that the Philadelphia Mint produced some of its rarest gold coins. The circulation strike 1875 gold dollar, quarter eagle, half eagle and eagle all have extremely low mintages, while the three-dollar gold piece of that year was not produced in this format. Proofs for all denominations of the year are universally rare, the mintage for each only 20 pieces. We believe that only 15 or so Proof 1875 quarter eagles are extant in all grades, a total which includes a few pieces that are impaired due to circulation or other factors. The number of unimpaired Proofs is likely fewer than 12 coins. Clearly our offering of this premium PCGS/CAC Proof-63 specimen represents a fleeting opportunity not to be missed. Proof 1875 quarter eagles are easily distinguished from the associated 400 circulation strikes by the date placement. For the Proofs, the date is positioned high in the field with the digit 5 nearly touching Liberty's bust.
PCGS# 7901. NGC ID: 287W.
PCGS Population: 2; 4 finer in this category (Proof-65 finest). CAC Stickered Population: just 6 in all grades, all categories.
From Superior's session of Auction '90, August 1990, lot 1261; Superior's October 7-9, 1990 Sale, lot 1984.