1805 $2.5 AU55 PCGS CAC EX NEWMAN

An Exceptionally Low-Mintage Early Quarter Eagle with CAC Approval, Rich Original Color and a Distinguished Eric P. Newman Pedigree.

Draped Bust Quarter Eagle was still a relatively new and infrequently produced denomination in 1805, when the Philadelphia Mint struck only 1,781 examples—one of the smallest mintages in the early federal gold series. Designed by Chief Engraver Robert Scot, the obverse depicts Liberty facing right in a soft cap, while the Heraldic Eagle reverse reflects the national symbolism adopted for the young republic’s gold coinage. Only the BD-1 die marriage is known for the year, and approximately 108 examples are believed to survive in all grades, making the issue considerably rarer in absolute terms than its general familiarity might suggest.

This lovely AU55 exhibits rich orange-gold color with deeper honey and copper-gold accents distributed across both sides. Considerable mint luster remains within the protected areas and flows attractively around Liberty’s portrait, the stars, and the reverse devices. The strike is pleasing for this early issue, with strong definition throughout.

The provenance to legendary collector and numismatic scholar Eric P. Newman adds another important dimension to this already scarce early gold coin. PCGS records a population of 11 with 26 finer and assigns a price-guide value of $30,000; CAC reports only two approved examples at AU55 with ten finer. This date is actually substantially rarer than 1807, 1802/‘1’ and 1804 14 Star in terms of number of survivors, and almost as rare as the 1796 no stars and 1806/4 ( where an au55 pcgs cac sold for $39,600 05/23 HA. Bear in mind the more commom 1804 $2.5 14 stars au58 pcgs cac sells for over $45,000, whilst a lower grade AU53 PCGS CAC sold for $31,200 11/25 SB. The guides are clearly lagging on this date and issue.

Pedigree

Eric P. Newman Collection 11/2014 HA

PCGS Cert Verification #47605637

• PCGS Price Guide -$30,000
• PCGS POP - 11/26
• CAC POP - 2/10
• PCGS Coin# 7653