1836 Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-6. Rarity-4. Head of 1835, Script 8. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC. <strong>Die Variety:</strong> HM-6. 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-6 represents one of three uses of this obverse die. Reverse G: This reverse die, which appears nowhere else in the Classic Head quarter eagle series, has no tongue in the eagles mouth, a split berry on the branch, and the lowest arrow head centered under the final letter A in AMERICA.<p><strong>Die Emission Sequence: </strong>The HM-6 represents the final use the 1836 Obverse 4, which was used earlier in the HM-5 and HM-4 pairings of the issue.<p><strong>Die State: </strong>The Virginian Collection specimen represents the terminal state of this obverse die. The primary crack bisects the obverse from the upper left border outside star 6 to the lower right border between stars 12 and 13. An internal cud had formed along this crack between star 6 and the edge of Libertys headband. A second, lighter crack bisects the curl before Libertys ear and extends through the bottom of the cheek. These cracks undoubtedly explain the Mints decision to retire this die after this pairing.<p><strong>Estimated Surviving Population for the Variety:</strong> 161 coins in all grades (per Daryl J. Haynor, 2020), or 7.3% of extant 1836 Classic Head quarter eagles.<p><strong>Strike: </strong>Well struck for an early date quarter eagle of this type, both sides exhibit razor sharp to full detail over virtually all design elements. Softness is minor and confined to the usual high points in the centers, most noticeably the prominent hair curl over Libertys ear and at the upper left corner of the shield on the reverse.<p><strong>Surfaces: </strong>A wonderfully original example, both sides exhibit subtle powder blue and reddish-apricot iridescence on dominant medium gold color. Wisps of pale olive are also evident -- very attractive. Luster is full, soft, and satiny on generally smooth-looking surfaces.<p><strong>Commentary: </strong>A median rarity among die pairings of the 1836 quarter eagle issue, HM-6 is obtainable with patience, but not often seen in the finer Mint State grades, as here. The date as a whole is very scarce in Choice Mint State, confirming the significance of this offering for high grade type and variety purposes. PCGS# 764701. NGC ID: 25FU. PCGS Population (all die marriages of the Script 8 variety): 14; 2 finer (MS-65+ finest).<p>CAC Population: 8; 2. From the Daryl J. Haynor Virginian Collection. The plate coin for the 1836 HM-6 variety in the 2020 Haynor reference on Classic Gold coinage.
