The March 2010 Baltimore Auction

Pre-Bidding Ends: 3/5/2010 3:00:00 PM
Live Floor and Internet Bidding Begins: 3/5/2010 3:00:00 PM

Lot #3609. 1849-C Liberty Quarter Eagle. Winter Variety 1 (11-G), the only known dies. MS-65 (NGC).

Condition Census #1 1849-C Quarter Eagle

 The Bass Specimen and Winter Plate Coin
Description: An exceedingly rare issue in Mint State, Doug Winter (Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint: 1838-1861, 2008 edition) accounts for only four examples of the 1849-C that escaped circulation. This estimate squares quite nicely with combined PCGS and NGC population data if we deduct for resubmissions (one of which is the present example). Produced to the extent of just 10,220 pieces, the 1849-C is one of the more overlooked C-mint Quarter Eagles. It is a rare-to-very rare issue in all grades that ranks 8/20 in overall rarity and 11/20 in high-grade rarity within the Charlotte Mint Two-and-a-Half series.
    Impressively pedigreed with solid technical merits, this coin is far-and-away the finest-known 1849-C Quarter Eagle. It is also one of very few Southern gold coins of all denominations that have secured a coveted Gem Mint State rating from one of the major certification services. A bright and flashy piece, both sides exhibit yellow-gold color a vibrant satin-to-semi-prooflike sheen. Reflectivity is most pronounced in the obverse field, especially when observed with the aid of a strong light. A bit of light scuffiness is noted for both sides, but there are no sizable or otherwise individually distracting abrasions. In fact, a few small areas of light roughness in the planchet (as struck) helped us establish this coin's pedigree, one of which is present at the rear of the truncation of Liberty's neck. An obviously important coin that belongs in the finest Southern gold collection.

Combined PCGS and NGC Population: just 1; 0 finer.

PCGS# 7753.

From the Cuyahoga Collection of Charlotte and Dahlonega Mint Gold. Earlier from Stack's sale of May 1968, lot 712, our sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, October 1999, lot 422 and Heritage's Long Beach Signature Sale, May 2001, lot 8853. The plate coin on page 87 of the 2008 edition of Doug Winter's Charlotte Mint gold coin book.