1911-D Indian Quarter Eagle. Strong D. MS-65 (PCGS). CAC. Handsome golden-orange patina enhances the lovely mint luster on both sides of this Gem quarter eagle. The strike is razor sharp, including a crisp, fully defined D mintmark.Bela Lyon Pratts Indian designs for the quarter eagle and half eagle were quite novel when introduced in 1908. The incuse design was never before seen on an American coin and has not been used since on any circulating issue. For many collectors, the Indian quarter eagle series is a straightforward challenge with only 15 issues to obtain, most of which are acquired with only a fair amount of effort depending on the desired grade level. There is one notable exception, the 1911-D. Most mintage figures for the series range between a quarter million to three-quarters of a million pieces. However, at the Denver Mint in 1911 only 55,680 coins were produced. Most were very well struck, though on many the mintmark is weakly defined; these are not nearly as desirable as those with a strong D mintmark, as here.For whatever reason, not many 1911-D quarter eagles were saved at the time of issue and the coins disappeared into commerce. While the issues low mintage has always been an indicator of its scarcity, the advent of the certification services and their population figures has allowed a clearer picture of survival rates and overall rarity. The 1911-Ds position as by far the rarest of the series has withstood the test of time. Fortunately, a significant portion of survivors are in and around Mint State, mostly between AU-55 and MS-63. While near-Gem examples appear on a regular basis, at the Full Gem level, the issue is an important condition rarity. For the numismatist assembling the finest Indian quarter eagle set, this exquisite specimen from the Pogue Collection represents an important bidding opportunity. From the D. Brent Pogue Collection. Earlier from Heritages Milwaukee ANA Signature Coin Auction of August 2007, lot 1861.
