1839-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-2, Winter-1. Rarity-6. MS-62 (PCGS). <strong>Die Variety:</strong> HM-2, Winter-1. Obverse 2: Readily distinguished from the only other obverse die of this issue by the placement of the C mintmark entirely over the digit 3 in the date. All coins struck from this obverse exhibit a mint-made depression on Libertys cheek that is the result of foreign matter adhering to the die. Obverse 2 of the 1839-C issue appears in both the HM-2 and HM-3 pairings. Reverse J: This is the only use of this reverse die in the quarter eagle series, attributable by the branch stem extending nearly to the center of the letter D in the denomination.<p><strong>Die Emission Sequence: </strong>Likely struck after HM-1, and representing the first use of the issues Obverse 2, the HM-2 is probably the second variety of 1839-C quarter eagle produced.<p><strong>Die State: </strong>From an earlier state of Reverse J, on this coin the berry is still attached to the main branch by a faint stem.<p><strong>Estimated Surviving Population for the Variety:</strong> 25 coins in all grades (per Daryl J. Haynor, 2020), or just 7% of extant 1839-C Classic Head quarter eagles.<p><strong>Strike: </strong>Remarkably sharp by Charlotte Mint standards, this exceptional piece exhibits full detail to virtually all design elements. Those features that are not full, and they include only a few obverse stars and some of the eagles feathers, are still sufficiently bold. A trace of light cabinet friction to isolated high points is noted solely for accuracy, and is consistent with the MS-62 grade from PCGS.<p><strong>Surfaces: </strong>A beautiful coin with olive undertones to dominant golden-apricot color. The fields are noticeably prooflike, especially on the reverse, with die polish lines (as made) evident upon more careful inspection. Otherwise frosty in texture with minimal marks for the assigned grade, a shallow horizontal abrasion before the bridge of Libertys nose establishes the provenance of this highly significant example.<p><strong>Commentary: </strong>It is remarkable that an issue that is so elusive in Mint State is represented here by a coin from such a rare die pairing. Solidly in the Condition Census for the 1839-C issue in its entirety, the Virginian Collection HM-2 specimen is ranked CC#2 in Daryl J. Haynors 2020 listing and CC#4 in the 2008 edition of Doug Winters reference on Charlotte Mint gold coinage. An impressive provenance that includes some of the finest Southern gold cabinets formed in recent decades enhances the desirability of this amazing quarter eagle. It is a coin that was obviously set aside shortly after striking and subsequently preserved with the utmost care -- very rare for an early date Charlotte Mint issue irrespective of denomination, type or date. Truly remarkable, and worthy of the strongest bids. PCGS# 764798. NGC ID: 25G4. PCGS Population (all die marriages of the issue): 5; 0 finer. From the Daryl J. Haynor Virginian Collection. Earlier ex Stanley Elrod Collection; Doug Winter and Lee Minshull; Paul Dingler Collection; Pinnacle Rarities and Heritage Rare Coin Galleries; Jeffrey Fisher Collection; Heritages sale of the Grand Lake Collection, February 2009 Long Beach Signature Sale, lot 2432; Heritages CSNS Signature Auction of April-May 2009, lot 2675; Heritages sale of the Cherokee County Collection, January 2012 FUN Signature Auction, lot 4742. The plate coin for the 1839-C HM-2 variety in the 2020 Haynor reference on Classic Gold coinage, and the plate coin for the variety in the 1998 Edition of the Winter reference on Charlotte Mint coinage.
