1836 Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-5. Rarity-5. Head of 1835, Script 8, Wide A M. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. <strong>Die Variety:</strong> HM-5. Obverse 4: Head of 1835 with Libertys nose and forehead curved, the hair curls along the back of the head in a nearly straight line with only a single shallow indentation near the bottom. Script 8 in the date. HM-5 represents one of three uses of this obverse die. Reverse B: Easily attributed, this die exhibits unusually wide spacing between the letters AM in AMERICA. In addition to the 1836 HM-5, Reverse B appears in the 1834 HM-2 and 1835 HM-2 pairings and was also used for the exceedingly rare Proof-only 1836 HM-2 variety.<p><strong>Die Emission Sequence: </strong>Representing the first use of the 1835 Obverse 4, HM-5 was struck before HM-4 and HM-6. It also represents the final use of Reverse B in this series, which dates back to the first year of issue for the Classic Head design in 1834. All coins from the 1835 HM-5 pairing are believed to have been delivered during that year.<p><strong>Die State: </strong>In its final use, this Wide A M reverse shows extensive die lapping with details attenuated or missing within and around the branch stem, leaves, berry and the eagles talon.<p><strong>Estimated Surviving Population for the Variety:</strong> 70 coins in all grades (per Daryl J. Haynor, 2020), or 2.8% of extant 1836 Classic Head quarter eagles.<p><strong>Strike: </strong>This is a well struck coin for an early date Classic Head quarter eagle, with virtually all features exhibiting razor sharp to full definition. Characteristic softness is seen at the obverse center, where the curls around Libertys ear and above the forehead are a bit blunt, as is the fillet along the tops of the letters LIB in LIBERTY. The central reverse is bolder, however, with emerging definition to the left portion of the shield and within the adjacent feathers of the eagles right wing and leg.<p><strong>Surfaces: </strong>Considerable reflectivity is seen in the fields on this prooflike example. In addition there is plenty of intermingled frost that dominates the design elements. The entire package exhibits warm honey-orange color that brightens to golden-apricot at direct viewing angles.<p><strong>Commentary: </strong>The HM-5 pairing is scarce and ranks as the fifth rarest of eight die marriages known for the 1836 quarter eagle issue. The offered coin is an attractive Choice AU that is sure to appeal to astute gold enthusiasts. PCGS# 764700. NGC ID: 25FU. PCGS Population (HM-5 attribution only): 1 in all grades. From the Daryl J. Haynor Virginian Collection. The plate coin for the 1836 HM-5 variety in the 2020 Haynor reference on Classic Gold coinage.
