Among the many rarities in our October 2018 Baltimore Auction is an exceptional MS-63 Prooflike (NGC) 1872 Liberty Head quarter eagle that ranks among the finest examples known for the issue. The 1872 quarter eagle has one of the lowest mintages of the era at just 3,000 pieces. Perhaps as few as 70 examples remain today, with the vast majority of these heavily circulated.
Gold specialist David Akers called the issue "a favorite of [his], particularly in Uncirculated condition," and noted that he has "seen fewer Uncs. of this date than [he has] proofs." The current specimen is among the top survivors of this elusive issue, tied for finest at NGC with only two other examples, and ranking as the sole finest piece within the Prooflike designation. Only the Bass specimen ranks numerically finer at MS-64 (PCGS). We had the pleasure of handling that example in our October 1999 sale of Part II of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection.
This is the first auction appearance of a Choice Mint State example in nearly a decade, an occasional which was last marked by the sale of an MS-63 (NGC) example in our August 2010 Boston Rarities Auction for $11,628.
The surfaces of this piece display lovely medium-gold color and an overall sharp strike for the issue. Considerable prooflike reflectivity throughout the fields starkly contrasts with the more frosty luster across the design elements. A few trivial marks are scattered throughout but none are particularly distracting. This is an attractive and important 19th century rarity. We are certain that collectors will take note of this opportunity to acquire one of the more pristine survivors from this issue, an opportunity that may not arise for another generation.
This MS-63 Prooflike (NGC) 1872 Liberty Head quarter eagle will be sold in the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Winter Expo. The sale will be available for viewing and bidding on our website www.StacksBowers.com, or you may contact our offices to secure a printed catalog. To speak with a numismatic representative, please call 800-458-4646 or email Info@StacksBowers.com. Also, download our mobile app to view and participate in our auctions via your Android or Apple device.
