1838 $2.50 MS64 Certification #82455189, PCGS #7696

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Single variety HM-1, Obverse 1, Reverse H PCGS/NGC graded population 606, including resubmissions. Haynor estimates a total population in all grades of about 450 and only 7 graded MS65 and higher, while PCGS CoinFacts estimates a survival of 400 with 9 graded MS65 or higher. The TE in UNITED appears to have been re-punched to the left. There are two small triangular remnants of the T between the top of the T and the E and there is a small triangular remnant of the E at the top leg of the E in UNITED. Also, the first A in AMERICA has a wide lower left leg and narrow upper leg between the cross bar and top, the M in AMERICA has a "toe" on the inside right serif, and the dentils above the M are very short. I have seen these peculiarities on all of the coins I've looked at in photos. Just interesting observations.

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

Once again, there is a different head of Liberty on the 1838 quarter eagle than there is on the preceding years of this basic type; it is somewhat similar to the 1834 large head. Strictly uncirculated specimens are very rare, comparable in rarity to the 1837, although as the auction records indicate, circulated specimens are somewhat more obtainable. This style head appears only on the 1838, although the head on the 1839/8 is virtually the same with only a few minor differences. The stars are noticeably smaller on the 1838 than they are on preceding issues of this type.

PCGS #

7696

Designer

William Kneass

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

18.20 millimeters

Weight

4.18 grams

Mintage

47030

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

267

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	400	R-6.2	6 / 11 TIE	6 / 11 TIE
All Grades	50	R-8.5	7 / 11	7 / 11
60 or Better	9	R-9.6	5 / 11	5 / 11

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	400
All Grades	50
60 or Better	9

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-6.2
All Grades	R-8.5
60 or Better	R-9.6

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	6 / 11 TIE
All Grades	7 / 11
60 or Better	5 / 11

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	6 / 11 TIE
All Grades	7 / 11
60 or Better	5 / 11

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68 estimated grade	National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution
2	MS67 PCGS grade	John N. Rowe, III, sold privately in 1966 - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:306 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 9/2015:2065, $235,000
3	MS66+ PCGS grade
4	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS68 estimated grade

National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

John N. Rowe, III, sold privately in 1966 - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:306 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 9/2015:2065, $235,000

#3 MS66+ PCGS grade

#4 MS66 PCGS grade

#5 MS65 PCGS grade