1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Quarter Eagle. MS-66 (PCGS). Captivating premium Gem surfaces are smooth and inviting with eye appeal to spare. Bathed in a bold blend of satiny mint luster and vivid rose-gold patina, this is an exceptional coin that borders on pristine for the issue. Through the Act of March 3, 1925, Congress authorized the Mint to produce 200,000 quarter eagles and 1,000,000 half dollars of this commemorative, and the Philadelphia Mint struck these coins during May and June of 1926. (Additional examples of both denominations were produced for assay purposes.) These mintage figures proved wildly optimistic, with 154,207 quarter eagles and 859,408 half dollars eventually being melted as unsold. The resultant net mintage is 46,019 and 141,120 pieces, respectively (totals include 226 and 528 assay coins). In todays market, both Sesquicentennial issues are regarded as conditionally challenging, upper end Gems such as this rare and eagerly sought by advanced collectors. PCGS# 7466. NGC ID: BYLT.
