1855-D $2.50 PCGS AU55 CAC

At one time I felt that the 1855-D quarter eagle was the rarest coin from this mint. I now believe that this honor goes to the 1856-D quarter eagle but the 1855-D is unquestionably the second rarest. Of the 1,123 struck, around four to five dozen are known and almost all are well worn, poorly made and very unattractive. This coin is none of the above, making it exceptional for the date and grade. The quality of the planchet is far above avergae with none of the peels or imperfections seen on many 1855-D quarter eagles and the strike is actually not bad with some detail seen at the center. The surfaces show luster below medium orange-gold color and the overall eye appeal is far above average. I believe that there are no more than 12-15 properly graded AU examples of this date and at least half show prominent mint-made flaws. The last PCGS AU55 to sell at auction was Heritage 10/11: 4694 that brought $17,250. In the Heritage 2/12 auction, a pair of NGC AU55's sold for $17,250 and $18,400, respectively. An extremely important coin for the advanced specialist.

Ex Heritage 1/03: 4704 where it sold for $17,825.

This is the only 1855-D quarter eagle in AU55 to receive CAC approval; there is one finer with CAC approval.