1842-D Quarter Eagle (1842-D $2.50) NGC AU53. For a circulated coin, a considerable amount of luster is seen within the devices of this 1842-D Quarter Eagle. Light wear and surface abrasions, keep it from a mint state grade. Typical for the date central weakness is seen on both sides of the coin; however, the other features stars, date, dentils, wings, and legends are all sharp and clear. The discovery of gold in the early 1800s led to the establishment of the Dahlonega Mint. In Cherokee Dahlonega means yellow money. In 1835 an act of Congress mandated that the Dahlonega Mint was one of two that could mint only gold coins.

Dahlonega gold coins are eagerly sought by collectors and investors because of their low mintages and rarity. Modern D mint coins should not be confused with them. Today a coin bearing the D mintmark was minted in Denver, which began production in 1906.

All 1842-D coins are rare because the original mintage was only 4,643 coins. Only 62 coins in all grades have been certified NGC. Its population report shows that there are 5 in AU53 with 21 better.