1839/39-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. McCloskey-3. Repunched Date. AU-50 (NGC).A handsome light honey-gold example that retains ample satin luster to both sides. Boldly to sharply defined throughout, and uncommonly so for a survivor of this scarce and conditionally challenging issues. The early gold issues of the Charlotte Mint have long been popular. Struck from 1834 to 1839, William Kneass Classic Head design was only struck at the Southern branch mints in 1838 and 1839. The production of the quarter eagle at the still new Charlotte Mint ramped up to a respectable though still modest 18,140 pieces in 1839. As with most of the gold issues from the North Carolina mint, the coins were heavily used in the region and remained in circulation for many years alongside the Bechtler quarter eagles they were intended to replace. The few numismatists of the era were not especially interested in collecting by mintmark, so very few examples were set aside at the time. Consequently, most 1839-C quarter eagles in numismatic circles today bear witness to heavy commercial use with limited numbers of About Uncirculated survivors and a mere handful of pieces that can be considered Mint State. The 1839-C quarter eagle has been an especially popular coin for type collectors, especially with the added appeal of the mintmark placement on the obverse. Southern gold specialists and enthusiasts of early gold coins will pay close attention when this significant offering crosses the auction block.
