1864 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. AU Details--Gouged (PCGS).An overall pleasing example, both sides retain sharp to full striking detail and plenty of lively mint luster. Handsome light honey-gold patina throughout, the only mentionable detractions are two unfortunate scrapes over the lower right obverse that partially obscure the date, and also explain the PCGS qualifier. The 1864 is a highly elusive quarter eagle in any grade, a mere 2,824 pieces struck for commercial use while specie payment remained suspended as the Civil War continued to rage in the Eastern states. Attrition was also high due to the War, with most examples eventually melted for one reason or another. Today, it is likely that only a dozen or two circulation strikes are extant, the issue ranking as one of the great rarities in the Liberty Head series.
