1841-D Quarter Eagle - 1841-D Quarter Eagle $2.5 NGC AU55

1841-D Quarter Eagle $2.5 NGC AU55. The 1841-D quarter eagle is an issue which circulated extensively in the 1840s and later. Combined with the small mintage of 4,164 pieces, it is not hard to estimate the rarity of this Dahlonega gold coin in higher grades. Most of the known pieces, estimated at 80 examples in all grades are heavily circulated, making this an issue which is very difficult to find in any grade higher than Extremely Fine. Perhaps a handful of true Mint State examples are known to exist. These have sold for substantial sums of money at public auction recently. As such, this rare About Uncirculated offering represents excellent value for the serious collector of Dahlonega gold coins.

One of the earliest quarter eagles struck at the Dahlonega Mint, most examples of the 1841-D quarter eagle are remarkably well produced. This can be seen from the present example, with a relative strong strike and lots of details visible, despite the small amount of wear that account for the grade. The fields show some bagmarks and hairlines, consisted with a short time in circulation, but they are not as prominent in hand as one would expect. Wholesome orange-yellow color is seen on both sides, toned to a little more green on the reverse. The present coin appears to be one of the few examples which was not ‘doctored’ in recent times.

Dahlonega gold coins, including the quarter eagles have become increasingly popular with both collectors and investors in recent times. More references have been published on them, and the whole numismatic field of Southern gold coins has caught attention. Some issues, however, have not been fully discovered, and we think that the 1841-D quarter eagle can be classified as such. Despite the low mintage and rarity in higher grades this issue is usually available for a better price than the later Dahlonega issues from the 1850s. While the latter usually had extremely low mintages (only 874 1856-D quarter eagles were produced) they are offered with somewhat more regularity than the earlier issues, such as offered here. This is an important coin and a not so frequent opportunity to acquire this high-grade Dahlonega gold issue. This coin has been certified by NGC in a new holder.