Quarter Eagle -> 1849-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

Until recently, the 1849-C quarter eagle was not felt to be particularly rare. Recent research, combined with low populations at both PCGS and NGC, has shown that the 1849-C is actually one of the rarest quarter eagles from this mint. Only 70-80 are known with 80% or so of these grading Extremely Fine or lower. Another 14-16 exist in About Uncirculated. At the present time, the 1849-C is the only Charlotte quarter eagle which is unknown in Mint State. This is generally a well struck issue but most suffer from liberally abraded surfaces. Since most show heavy wear, the quality of luster is below average and it is extremely hard to find a piece which has not been cleaned at one time. At current price levels, a high grade 1849-C quarter eagle is one of the best values of any Charlotte gold coin.

Condition Census

  1. North Carolina collection. About Uncirculated-58 or better. Graded AU-58 by ANACS.
  2. North Georgia collection, ex Stack's 12/94: 1388, R.T. Wilder collection. Later graded AU-58 by NGC.
  3. Paul Dingler collection, ex Doug Winter, 1995. Graded AU-58 by PCGS. The plate coin in this book.
  4. Private collection, ex Casey Noxon/Lee Minshull inventory, purchased in late 1996. Graded AU-55 by NGC and very choice for the grade.
  5. North Carolina collection, ex Doug Winter, Elrod Collection, Bowers and Ruddy 10/82 Eliasberg sale: 149, John Clapp, B. Max Mehl's Wilharm Collection sale (1921). Graded AU-55 by NGC and earlier graded AU-55 by PCGS. Very choice for the grade.