1838-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC. <strong>Die Variety:</strong> HM-1, Winter-1. Obverse 1: The only die of the 1838-C issue, with bold repunching to the C mintmark and more minor repunching to the digit 1 in the date. Most stars are also repunched, more noticeably stars 1, 5, 9, 10 and 13. Reverse I: The first digit 2 in the denomination is entirely left of the lowest arrow feather, the lowest arrow head is below the right foot of the final letter A in AMERICA and, in earlier die states, there is a single berry in the branch. This is the same reverse die used for the 1839-C HM-1 quarter eagle.<p><strong>Die Emission Sequence:</strong> Only a single die pairing is known for this issue, which accounts for the Charlotte Mints entire reported quarter eagle mintage for calendar year 1838. The reverse die, however, was later used to strike 1839-C quarter eagles of the HM-1 attribution.<p><strong>Die State: </strong>The perfect reverse die state confirms this as one of the first 1838-C quarter eagles struck. The reverse cracked early in this marriage with most examples showing cracks from the upper left corner of the shield through the eagles beak and along the top of the eagles right wing to the border at 10 oclock. Additional evidence for this coins early die state is the pronounced area of die rust at the obverse below Libertys lowest hair curl and the full stem to the berry on the reverse; both features were later attenuated or obliterated by repolishing of the dies.<p><strong>Estimated Surviving Population for the Variety:</strong> 150 coins in all grades (per Daryl J. Haynor, 2020), or 100% of extant 1838-C Classic Head quarter eagles as this is the only known die marriage of the issue.<p><strong>Strike:</strong> While the 1838-C is the less well struck of the two Charlotte Mint issues in this series, the present example belies that fact. It is a fully struck coin that surely ranks among the best produced 1838-C quarter eagles. Crisp delineation between all of the individual strands of Libertys hair and throughout the eagles plumage is particularly impressive, as are full radial lines to all 13 stars around the obverse border.<p><strong>Surfaces: </strong>Glorious golden-apricot surfaces combine a modestly semi-prooflike obverse with a universally frosted reverse. Pale rose highlights are also evident on the reverse, both with subtle olive undertones. Handling marks are at an absolute minimum and appropriate for the Choice Uncirculated rating from PCGS. There is a lone alloy spot on the reverse at about the halfway point along the right edge of the shield that will identify this lovely near-Gem in future market appearances. A distinct ridge around much of the broad obverse rim is as made, characteristic of most 1838-C quarter eagles and, per Daryl J. Haynor (2020) is from "where the obverse die did not align perfectly with the raised border."<p><strong>Commentary: </strong>Experts in both Classic Head and Southern gold coinage are in agreement that the Virginian Collection specimen is the finest known 1838-C quarter eagle. It is ranked #1 in the lists of significant examples in both the 2020 Haynor reference on the Classic Head series and the 2008 reference <em>Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint: 1838-1861</em> by Douglas Winter. A highlight of the present cabinet, and sure to sell for a strong premium to a gold enthusiast who seeks only the best for his or her collection. PCGS# 764792. NGC ID: 25FZ. PCGS Population: 1; 0 finer.</p><p>CAC Population: 1; 0.</p> From the Daryl J. Haynor Virginian Collection. Earlier from Abe Kosoffs sale of the Thomas Melish Collection, April 1956, lot 1130; our (Stacks) sale of June 1994, lot 566; Heritages sale of the North Georgia Collection, January 1999 FUN Signature Sale, lot 7741; Heritages Long Beach Signature Sale of February 2000, lot 6620. The plate coin for the issue in the 2020 Haynor reference on Classic Gold coinage.
