1856-D Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. Winter 20-N, the only known dies. AU-50 (PCGS). CAC. Offered is a Condition Census survivor from a fabled low mintage year in the Dahlonega Mint quarter eagle series. Close inspection reveals intermingled pale pink highlights that enhance pleasing dominant honey-orange color. Much frosty luster remains and the strike, while typically weak for this poorly produced issue, presents as uncommonly bold with just very light wear. (Doug Winter describes the 1856-D as "the worst struck Dahlonega quarter eagle" in the 2013 edition of his reference on this Southern gold series.) The superior eye appeal and exceptional preservation have garnered rare CAC approval for an About Uncirculated 1856-D $2.50, which makes this a particularly important coin for advanced Southern gold specialists.<p>At just 874 pieces, this issue has the lowest mintage in the entire Dahlonega Mint quarter eagle series of 1839 to 1859. It is the rarest issue in this series in an absolute sense, and our experience suggests that there are fewer than 60 coins extant in all grades, perhaps just 45 to 50. Even in VF and EF this issue is elusive, although those are the grades most likely to be found in todays market. About Uncirculated coins are very rare and make up much of the Condition Census of this issue. The 1856-D is exceedingly rare in Mint State. This example offers the finest in technical quality and eye appeal that most Southern gold enthusiasts will ever have the opportunity to compete for. Recent auction appearances for CAC-approved examples in Choice EF and AU grades suggest that the competition for this offering will be fierce and result in a strong premium being paid by the winning bidder:<p><p>1 - <strong>AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.</strong> Ex Leon Farmer; Hancock and Harwell; Dukes Creek Collection; Heritages sale of the Chestatee Collection (Dukes Creek duplicates), August 1999 ANA Signature Auction, lot 7659; Bob Harwell and Jeff Garrett; Alabama collection; North Georgia Collection; our sale of the Georgia Peach Collection, August 2015 Chicago ANA Auction, lot 10197; our sale of the John O. Sykes Collection, Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction, August, lot 6065, realized $144,000.<p>2 - <strong>AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.</strong> Ex Heritages sale of the James Cole Collection, August 2022 Signature Auction, lot 4017, realized $102,000.<p>3 - <strong>EF-45 (NGC). CAC.</strong> Ex Heritages sale of the John W. McCloskey Collection, January 2022 FUN Signature Auction, lot 4417, realized $66,000.<p>Clearly an aggressive strategy is in order here. PCGS# 7779. NGC ID: 25J9. PCGS Population: 6; 18 finer, two of which are Mint State (MS-62 finest).<p>CAC Sticker Population: 6 in all AU grades; 1 in all Mint State grades.
