Quarter Eagle -> 1848-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

The 1848-C quarter eagle is a very interesting issue. It is among the most common coins in the Charlotte quarter eagle series in terms of the total number of coins known. But, it is one of the rarest in terms of the number of coins known in higher grades. Many are well struck but there is a variety known which used a buckled obverse die. Coins from this obverse show very poor detail and are very hard to grade. Of the 115-125 pieces known, over 100 grade Extremely Fine-45 or lower. Only a dozen or so exist in About Uncirculated and there are two 1848-C quarter eagles currently accounted for in Mint State. This is an issue which will provide the collector of high grade quarter eagles with a true challenge.

Condition Census

  1. Private collection, ex Bowers and Ruddy Fairfield Sale (10/77): 1515, Harry Lamborn collection. Mint State-63 or thereabouts.
  2. Paul Dingler collection. Graded MS-61 by PCGS. Struck from a buckled obverse die. The plate coin in this book.
  3. The example graded MS-61 by NGC. The location and pedigree of this coin are not known to the author. It may possibly be one of those pieces listed below.
  4. Private collection, ex AUCTION USA 8/13/91: 266. About Uncirculated-58 or slightly better. This coin may possibly have been graded AU-58 by either NGC or PCGS after the sale.
  5. (tie) A group of approximately three or four coins which grade About Uncirculated-58. These include the following:
    • California collection, ex Doug Winter/Lee Minshull/Casey Noxon inventory, 6/97, graded AU-58 by NGC.
    • New Jersey collection, ex Doug Winter, Superior 9/93: 1429, later graded AU-58 by NGC.
    • Mid American 8/91: 651, graded AU-58 by NGC.
    • Nevada collection, ex Jeff Notrica, 11/90, RARCOA's session of Auction 90: 908, RARCOA's session of Auction 89: 384, Ed Milas, Stack's 3/86: 83. Struck from a buckled obverse die. Graded AU-55 but close to Mint State.