Scarce Quarter Eagles Graded by NGC Each Realize Over $200,000

Four rare US gold coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) realized over $100,000 in a Heritage Auctions sale held on July 17, 2022. The top two NGC-certified lots were Quarter Eagles that sold for impressive prices.

An 1854-S Quarter Eagle graded NGC VF 25 (lot 3214) sold for $288,000. This rarity is from a mintage of 246 that was struck at the San Francisco Mint. Today, there are only about a dozen known examples in all grades, including one in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection.

1854-S Quarter Eagle graded NGC VF 25. Realized: $288,000 Click images to enlarge.

Another coin, an 1841 Quarter Eagle graded NGC PF 50 and pedigreed to the Richmond Collection (lot 3221), sold for $228,000 in the sale. Also known as “The Little Princess,” this issue is considered one of the rarest US coins. There are only three examples recorded in the NGC Census, including this coin. Fewer than 20 1841 Quarter Eagles struck in Philadelphia are known today, and they are all believed to have been struck using Proof dies.

1841 Quarter Eagle graded NGC PF 50 and pedigreed to the Richmond Collection Realized: $228,000 Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale included:

• an 1804 Eagle with Crosslet 4 graded NGC MS 63 (lot 3297) that realized $216,000
• a 1925-S Double Eagle graded NGC MS 65 (lot 3431) that realized $180,000
• an 1850 Mormon $5 graded NGC AU 55 (lot 3447) that realized $96,000
• an 1886 Double Eagle graded NGC AU 53 (lot 3405) that realized $84,000
• an 1861-D Half Eagle graded NGC AU 58 (lot 3270) that realized $81,000
• an 1880 Coiled Hair Stella Gilt Pattern $4 graded NGC PF 62 (lot 3470) that realized $78,000
• an 1859-O Double Eagle graded NGC AU 55 (lot 3380) that realized $66,000
• an 1843-O Eagle graded NGC MS 63 (lot 3302) that realized $63,000

All prices realized include buyer’s premium.