Quarter Eagle -> 1840-C

Vitae

  • Quarter Eagles 1838 - 1860
  • Liberty Head 1840 - 1860
  • Diameter: 18.2 millimeters
  • Fineness: .900
  • Weight: 64.5 grains
  • Designer: Christian Gobrecht
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Coiner: John R. Bolton

In 1840, the quarter eagle was redesigned. Christian Gobrecht's Liberty Head design was adapted and it would remain until 1907. The reverse was also revamped with the most important change being the placement of the mintmark above the denomination. The 1840-C is a very popular coin as it is the first Liberty Head quarter eagle from Charlotte. This is generally a well struck issue with good luster and above-average surfaces. Fewer than 100 coins are known with most showing considerable wear. The 1840-C is a rare About Uncirculated with approximately 16-18 known. In Mint State, an estimated half dozen are currently known.

Condition Census

  1. Texas collection, ex Ivy 1980 ANA sale Mint State-63 or so.
  2. Paul Dingler collection. Graded MS-62 by PCGS. The plate coin in this book.
  3. Private collection, ex Stack's 3/90: 656, Willard Blaisdell. This coin may have been graded MS-62 at one time by PCGS but it is no longer encapsulated.
  4. Private collection, ex Elrod collection, possibly ex Stack's Bareford sale (12/78):85, B. Max Mehl's Neil sale (6/47). Graded MS-62 by NGC.
  5. Private collection. Graded MS-61 by PCGS. The location and pedigree of this coin are not known to the author.

Other certified Mint State examples include the following:

  • New Jersey collection, ex by Doug Winter/Lee Minshull, January, 1997. Graded MS-60 by NGC.
  • A second example graded MS-60 by NGC.
  • An example graded MS-60 by PCGS. The location and the pedigree of this coin and the second NGC MS-60 are not known to the author. It is possible that they may be included as one of the other coins described above.