This lovely early quarter eagle offers premium technical quality and strong eye appeal suggestive of a Choice Mint State grade. Overall smooth with vibrant satin luster, both sides display lovely orange-gold patina. Well defined for this issue, and conservatively graded in our professional opinion, this captivating early gold rarity is worthy of a strong bid.The 1807 is the final date in the Capped Bust Right quarter eagle series and also the most frequently encountered of the design type in todays market. The Mint used a single die pair to strike 6,812 examples, with the number extant being estimated at just 350 or fewer coins in all grades (per John W. Dannreuther, 2006). This issue represents the final use of a workhorse reverse die, which was earlier used to strike all known 1805 and 1806-dated quarter eagles, as well as all 1807 Draped Bust dimes. There are two known die states of the 1807 quarter eagle, although the vast majority of survivors were struck from a perfect obverse with no cracks. The present example, however, was struck from the late obverse die state with spindly peripheral cracks contiguous to the digits in the date, stars 2 through 6, and the letters in the word LIBERTY. This die state is so rare that, per Dannreuther, early gold coin variety specialist Harry W. Bass, Jr. may not have had the opportunity to acquire an example. Indeed, the Bass Core Collection specimen is a perfect obverse example.While the 1807 is the preferred Capped Bust Right quarter eagle for type purposes, the vast majority of collectors must be content with owning a circulated coin. Mint State pieces are in the distinct minority, and examples with the technical quality and eye appeal offered here are particularly rare and enjoy strong demand. One of many important highlights in the impressive Griggs Collection, this delightful early quarter eagle is sure to see spirited bidding at auction.
