1839-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter-2. Rarity-3+. Repunched Date. AU-50 (PCGS). <strong>Die Variety:</strong> HM-1, Winter-2. Obverse 1: In addition to bold repunching to all four digits in the date, this obverse die is attributable by the placement of the C mintmark over the digits 83. This obverse appears only in the 1839-C HM-1 pairing. 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 reverse die is seen on all known 1838-C quarter eagles as well as those of the 1839-C HM-1 attribution.<p><strong>Die Emission Sequence: </strong>Almost certainly the first variety of 1839-C quarter eagle produced, the HM-1 inherited its reverse die in a cracked state from the 1838-C issue.<p><strong>Die State: </strong>The reverse exhibits the diagnostic cracks of the variety along the top of the eagles right wing and curving from the border outside the letter A in STATES, bisecting the eagles beak, and continuing to the border at the first digit 2 in the denomination. This coin is in an early die state for the 1839-C issue, however, as evidenced by a perfect obverse that is devoid of cracks.<p><strong>Estimated Surviving Population for the Variety:</strong> 210 coins in all grades (per Daryl J. Haynor, 2020), or 64% of extant 1839-C Classic Head quarter eagles.<p><strong>Strike: </strong>Well struck by the standards of the issuing mint, the obverse stars are soft and lack radial lines, and the eagles wing tips on the reverse are also quite blunt. Otherwise we note bold to sharp detail with little interference from light circulation wear.<p><strong>Surfaces: </strong>A whisper of pale silver toning overlays warm, deep orange-olive color. Frosty in texture with faint remnants of original luster, a touch of glossiness is noted for accuracy, but there are no sizable or otherwise individually mentionable marks.<p><strong>Commentary: </strong>This is the most frequently encountered of the three 1839-C quarter eagle die pairings, and the bold RPD feature enhances its desirability for mintmarked type purposes. Most survivors grade VF or EF, however, and in PCGS-certified About Uncirculated the Virginian Collection specimen is scarce from a condition standpoint. It will please advanced specialists in both Classic Head and pre-Civil War era Southern gold coinage. PCGS# 7699. NGC ID: 25G4. From the Daryl J. Haynor Virginian Collection.
