Quarter Eagle -> 1843-C Large Date

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

The second variety of 1843-C quarter eagle has a large date. It can easily be distinguished from the rarer Small Date, even though these two varieties share the same reverse die. The 1843-C Large Date is much more common in terms of its overall rarity but it is not that much more available in the About Uncirculated-55 and higher grades. The 1843-C Large Date is often seen with weakness of strike on the curls around the face and on the legs of the eagle. Original examples are considered very desirable due to their excellent luster and very pleasing yellow-gold or greenish coloration. Many experts feel that this issue is considerably undervalued in higher grades and most choice pieces are housed in tightly-held private collections.

Condition Census

  1. New York Gold Mart (Ron Karp) inventory, 10/97, ex Stack's 9/97: 1197. Graded MS-64 by ANACS in the Stack's sale, later graded MS-65 by PCGS. A superb quality coin.
  2. Private collection, ex Elrod collection, Superior 1/90: 4361, Bowers and Ruddy Fairfield sale (10/77): 490, Harry Lamborn. Graded MS-64 by NGC.
  3. Paul Dingler collection, ex Stack's 3/89 Later graded MS-62 by PCGS. The plate coin in this book.
  4. Superior 5/90: 5427. Graded MS-62 by NGC. This coin sold for $20,900. Very similar in quality to coin #2.
  5. Nevada collection, ex Superior's session of Auction 88: 321, Superior's session of Auction 86: 1347. Graded MS-61 by NGC.