1843-C Quarter Eagle (1843-C $2.50) Large Date, NGC AU55. This Charlotte quarter eagle shows a mixture of gold and green toning around the obverse devices with slightly darker toning between the devices on the lower portion of the reverse. Some luster remains at the top of Libertys head and through her curls on the obverse, and on the eagles head, wings, arrows, and olive branch leaves on the reverse.

There are a few contact marks in the obverse field above Libertys nose and below her chin and two trivial scratches above her head and on her neck. The reverse shows contact marks above the eagles head and wings and above the e in states. The strike shows some weakness, especially in the center of the obverse. There is slight wear on the highest points of both the obverse and reverse, which in keeping with the grade assigned.

From 1840 to 1843 the dates on quarter eagles were all small. In 1843 the large date, of which this coin is an example, was introduced. All Charlotte gold is rare, especially in conditions above EF.

Christian Gobrechts quarter eagle design lasted for over sixty-five years. It was reduced and modified from his design for the eagle. To minimize counterfeiting and variation, except for the date and mint mark, the coins were completely hubbed, unlike earlier issues where design elements were added separately. Since they were added by hand, variations occurred in the date and mint mark. The present coin is the Large Date variety, as indicated on its holder.