First, sorry no pics, just questions. On eBay there are only 2 from the Philadelphia mint - a 61 and a 62. There are 8 from Charlotte or Dahlonega. The Philly issue is priced like most common issues but is it more rare than that? There's one at a local shop that's maybe a low XF, high VF with honest wear and dirt. I like it but have enough liberty quarter eagles. However, if it's really more rare (valuable) than generic, I have the cash at the moment to pick it up at for about $350. What do you guys think or know?
I was looking at that the other day and at 1st it didn't make sense to me either , until I realized how demand plays a big roll in the price of anything . Just like CC coins are highly collected , so are early C and D mints . Seems Philadelphia is the unwanted cousin in early Coronet gold .
Its not Philadelphias are unwanted, its there is excessive demand for southern mints. If you want a philadelphia quarter eagle, choose any date. However, the southern mints were only in existence for a short time, so the demand is concentrated. I have southern friends who do not collect coins yet still wish to buy a coin from one of these mints due to "southern pride", (I don't have the heart to tell them how shoddily they were made in many instances).
Tough coin and a good buy for the money if it was. Me I'd grab it if for no other reason then it could be decent future resale. I always go outta my way to try to find lower mintage early gold
Personally I bought both a Charlotte and a Dahlonega half eagle ($5 coins; they are less expensive than the quarter eagles) for one reason only. I wanted a coin from each of those Mints. That contrary to my usual buying policy; I go for sets normally. I made those purchases simply because I felt it would be "neat" to own them.
Most gold collectors would enjoy a coin or two in their collection with the "romantic" C or D mintmark. A type collector would probably select an attractive mintstate coin from the affordable later dates in the series. Trophy hunters are after rarities like the 1844 or the 1848 CAL. That leaves set collectors, of which for the Liberty QE series are probably few and far between. With a gold series this long, with many scarce to rare dates - few would attempt to complete this series, leaving coins like this cheap for their apparent rarity. Just not a lot of demand. It also doesn't help that these coins are so dang small.
Thank you for an excellent answer. I think you're right and you've sold me on not buying it.... unless I can get it for under $300.
That is a point that all too few recognize, well, until they get one in their hands anyway. And when they do, it is not uncommon for them to feel kind of unsatisfied. The quarter eagle is a small coin, about the size of a dime. Small enough that you barely know you have one in your hand, even when you do. Of course the dollar gold is even tinier, and lighter, and much harder to see and appreciate the design. In a way these feeling are something that kind of rest in our subconscious, and we are often even unaware that they are there, until we hold one of the coins in our hands. That is when they spring to life and we become all too aware. And that is one of the things that makes, and always has made, collecting half dollars and dollars so popular. The tactile size and weight of the larger coins, as well as the ability to easily see the design without the aid of magnification, lends a great deal to the feeling of satisfaction for collectors.
Yes, and it applies to double eagles as well, and even ancient things like the Ptolemaic huge bronzes being very popular. Collectors just like big coins. I always thought it was because so many are so old its easier for them to see! Now I am getting older, that joke isn't as funny.
I've had negatives and low DSR's because the coins were so small. I guess I could take pictures next to a measuring stick, but I figure most people know about what size coin they are buying
