1806/5 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle. BD-2. Rarity-5+. Stars 7x6. AU Details--Cleaned (PCGS). A relatively appealing example of this key date in the challenging early quarter eagle series. Warm deep orange surfaces with underlying olive evident under a light. Plenty of satiny mint luster remains, and the strike is well centered and overall bold. Light adjustment marks (as made) in the center of the reverse obscure some of the finer design elements, both over and around the eagles breast as well as within the hair curls over Libertys ear. Faint hairlining and a somewhat hazy appearance in areas explain the PCGS qualifier, although the in hand appearance is quite smooth and rather attractive. BD Die State c/b.<p>With an estimated mintage of just 480 pieces, the 1806/5 is not only rarer than its 1806/4 counterpart, but it is also one of the most elusive issues in the Capped Bust Right quarter eagle series. It is one of the few varieties in U.S. coinage history struck from an obverse that was previously used in production of a different issue (1805 quarter eagle), annealed again, overdated, and then used to strike coins of another issue. Just 25 to 35 examples are believed extant in all grades (per Dannreuther, 2006), indicative of the wholesale destruction through melting of pre-1834 U.S. gold coinage. While not perfect, the present example has much to offer both early gold specialists and advanced type collectors. From the Andrew M. Hain Collection. Stacks company tag included.
