PCGS Nos: 7698, 7715

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 27,021
Proofs: estimated 10

Designer: William Kneass

Diameter: ±17.5 millimeters

Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%

Weight: ±64.5 grains (±4.18 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia, PA) above the date

Images courtesy of Superior Galleries

Significant examples:
PCGS Proof-62 (illustrated above)
- Superior Stamp & Coin Co., Inc.'s "Buddy Ebsen Collection" sale, June 1987, Lot 2275
- Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach Sale", October 1-3, 2000, Lot 4501, where it was described as follows: "1839/8 PCGS Proof 62 9 in date over an earlier 8. The Discovery Coin. A remarkable Brilliant Proof specimen exhibiting a needle-sharp strike with the hair so sharp that Liberty appears to have just had a permanent. The stars and denticles are completely defined and, of course, all are sharp. Full mirror surface throughout including the region within the vertical stripes on the shield. Light hairlines are noted from cleaning long ago. Unique to our knowledge, and according to Walter Breen, at the time that he wrote his Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins, "Unknown, though with the changed design, Proofs might well have been made." In addition, David Akers states in his Analysis of Auction Records, "This is certainly one of the most underrated Quarter Eagles of this type. The auction records indicate that the 1839/8 is nearly as rare as the lower mintage 1838-C or the 1839/8-D. Strictly Uncirculated specimens are extremely rare, and as far as I know, no Proofs are known to exist." In his Analysis, Akers traces but six Uncirculated pieces offered in the prior 50 years. This unique coin sits in a class by itself and my well set a record price for the date. (In PCGS holder 7709657)."
- Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles "The Fairchild Family Trust Collection" Sale, May 28-30, 2001, Lot 1234, illustrated, sold for $57,500.00,  where the following notation was made: "No provenance information included, but we could find no record of this being offered in the last 5 years. Previously in the Ed Trompeter collection and sold privately."  However, the images match those in Superior's October 2000 sale, so the first part of this notation is incorrect.  Is the Trompeter attribution correct?

Recent appearances:
Strong AU.  Ex - Stack's "The Marvin Taichert Collection of U.S. Type Coins", May 9, 2001, Lot 68, "Silly Head", plated, sold for $2,875.00 

AU-55.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Long Beach Signature Sale", May 31-June 2, 2001, Lot 5963, plated, sold for $1,955.00

Notes:
The finest Uncirculated example graded by PCGS is a single MS-62.

The finest Proof examples graded by PCGS are 2 PR-62's.

Varieties:

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen

"The PCGS Population Report, April 2004" by The Professional Coin Grading Service