1835
Quarter Eagle (McCloskey-1, R-2) PCGS MS63. The classic
head quarter eagles is a very short but interesting gold
set. Produced for only six short years, the total set
consists of 11 coins, struck at four different Mints.
While the Philadelphia Mint struck coins for all years,
the other branch Mints did not open until 1838.
This issue is one of the larger mintages, with 131,402
pieces struck for circulation. Of those, some went in
circulation in general commerce, but most stayed only
in general business between banks. As a result, while
heavily circulated coins are not commonly found, most
show extensive bag marks from handling. This makes this
a very hard type to find in choice mint state grades.
This is the variety identified by John McCloskey as
number 1. The key diagnostic for this variety is the
very widely spaced letters A and M in AMERICA on the
reverse. This is the same die that was used in the previous
year to strike the 1834 quarter eagles. Although that
issue has a lower mintage, the 1835 is generally considered
to be the scarcest of the trio of 100,000 + mintages
struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
The present coin is a premium quality example of this
overlooked series. While the obverse displays some bagmarks
that account for the grade, the reverse is noticeably
free of this common found problem with these soft gold
coins. A needle sharp impression is noted on both sides,
with only the center of the obverse somewhat weak. This
is commonly found, and the case on the majority, if
not all known examples of this type. The coin is a super
frosty example with full luster, a true highlight of
this magnificent coin.
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