At present the only gold coin upon which we can rely to supply the place of small bills is the quarter eagle, and of these the amount, as yet, is very limited. -- The Evening Post, New York City, February 6, 1835.Incredible satiny luster glides around both obverse and reverse, enlivening rich yellow gold fields highlighted in pale rose. The fields display an extraordinary level of freshness, a quality rarely seen on this type. A light abrasion inside of star 12 in the lower right obverse field is the only notable mark. Somewhat softly struck at centers, with little detail in the ear curl, though some die rust is still apparent on the portrait. A gorgeous example whose surface quality will be recognized by connoisseurs.Three die marriages are known for 1835 quarter eagles. Die state information suggests that some of the mintage delivered in 1835 may have been dated 1834, a supposition supported by the relative rarity of the two dates in the marketplace. While the published mintage of 1834 is lower than that of 1835, the latter date is far scarcer, particularly in high grades. David Akers discussed this in his auction record analysis, writing "the auction records clearly indicate (and experience confirms it) that the 1835 is significantly more difficult to obtain in high grades." Today, PCGS Population Report data indicates the availability of the dates isnt even close: embracing all grade levels, more than 700 submissions of 1834 quarter eagles have been certified, while the number for 1835 quarter eagles remains under 200. Grades above MS-63 have been given to more than ten times as many 1834 Classic Head quarter eagles than their 1835-dated counterparts. None, however, have ever been graded as high or higher than this specimen.
