Quarter Eagle -> 1855-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

In 1855, the mintage figure for Charlotte quarter eagles dropped to just 3,677 coins. The 1856-C is tied for the rarest issue in this series and it is one of the rarest Charlotte quarter eagles in high grade. There are few, if any, issues from this mint which show worse strikes. The typical example is extremely soft on the high spots of the obverse and reverse. In addition, the surfaces show numerous marks including mint-made chips in the planchet. 50-60 are believed to exist with as many as 12-14 of these grading About Uncirculated. In Mint State, the 1855-C quarter eagle is unique. This is a very popular coin due to its its rarity and low mintage figure.

Condition Census

  1. Private collection, ex Paramount Spring 1978 fixed price list, Bowers and Ruddy 10/77: 1547, Harry Lamborn collection. Mint State-60 or better. Unseen by the author, mentioned by Akers on page 107 of his work on quarter eagles.
  2. Private collection, ex Elrod collection, New England Rare Coin Auctions 1/82: 1394. Graded MS-60 by NGC.
  3. The example graded AU-58 by PCGS. The location and pedigree of this coin is not known to the author.
  4. (tie) Private collection, ex Doug Winter/Lee Minshull, Carter Numismatics (Jason Carter), Bowers and Merena 11/96: 1121. Later graded AU-58 by NGC (and) Stack's 6/11/97: 1364. Graded AU-58 by NGC. (And) Nevada collection, ex Superior 1/89: 309.
  5. (tie). A group of six-nine pieces grading AU-55. These include the following:
    • North Carolina collection, ex Doug Winter 6/96. Graded AU-55 by PCGS.
    • Superior 1/96: 2219. Graded AU-55 by NGC.
    • North Georgia collection, ex Stack's 12/94: 1393. Later graded AU-55 by PCGS.
    • Paul Dingler collection. Graded AU-55 by PCGS. The coin illustrated in this web site.
    • Private collection, ex Winthrop Carner, 4/91. Graded AU-55 by PCGS.
    • Jim Grey collection, graded AU-55 by PCGS. Very choice for the grade.
    • Bowers and Merena Norweb II (3/88): 2028, ex Mehl 4/28/37.