Quarter Eagle -> 1842-C

Vitae

  • Quarter Eagles 1838 - 1860
  • Liberty Head 1840 - 1860
  • Diameter: 18.2 millimeters
  • Fineness: .900
  • Weight: 64.5 grains
  • Designer: Christian Gobrecht
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Coiner: John R. Bolton

Very few people realize just how rare the 1842-C quarter eagle is. It is seldom accorded the fanfare it deserves but it is, in fact, the rarest Charlotte quarter eagle in higher grades. Besides being a truly rare coin, this is an issue which is plagued by poor strikes, inferior luster and very heavily marked surfaces. All of these factors combine to give a very low level of eye appeal for the typical 1842-C. Just 55-65 coins exist and a majority of these grade Very Fine or below. Only ten or so Extremely Fine pieces are known, as well as a half dozen About Uncirculated examples and a pair of Mint State coins. Ironically, one of the Mint State coins is a magnificent Mint State-65 which is probably the finest known Charlotte quarter eagle of any date.

Condition Census

  1. Private collection, ex Elrod, New England Rare Coin Auctions 1/82: 1375. Graded MS-65 by NGC. The finest known Charlotte quarter eagle of any date.
  2. Jim Gray collection, ex Winthrop Carner. Graded MS-60 by PCGS.
  3. North Carolina collection, ex Doug Winter/Lee Minshull, Bowers and Merena 11/96: 1076. Graded AU-58 by NGC.
  4. Stack's 12/94: 1381, R.T. Wilder collection. Later graded AU-55 by NGC.
  5. (tie). North Georgia collection, PCGS graded AU-53 (and) North Georgia collection, graded AU-53 by NGC..

Other About Uncirculated coins include the following:

  • Paul Dingler collection, graded AU-50 by PCGS. The plate coin in this book.
  • Long Island collection, graded AU-50 by PCGS.