Indian Quarter Eagles
1909 $2 1/2 MS66+ NGC. The sunken relief of Bela Lyon Pratt's Indian quarter eagle design was a first on circulating U.S. coinage. The design lacked a protective rim, leaving the fields exposed to easy abrasion. Soon after the Indian quarter eagle's debut in 1908, the coins became little used in commerce and spent a large portion of their existence in bank vaults or cash drawers, receiving regular coin-to-coin contact. The slightest friction between two Indian quarter eagles could impart surface grazes and hairline scratches that today would limit a grade to no better than MS64. At the MS66 level, even the most plentiful Indian quarter eagle issues become condition rarities, save for the 1908, which was saved in quantity as a first-year novelty. The 1909 is rare in MS66 and not a single coin is known in MS67. The single finest 1909 certified is the present example -- the only Plus-graded Premium Gem (6/17).
This coin displays satiny straw-gold luster that appears pristine under magnification. Razor-sharp detail in the headdress feathers and the eagle's wing complements the luminous glow from the recesses. Eye appeal is outstanding for a 1909. Across the entire Indian quarter eagle series, NGC and PCGS combined have seen only nine finer coins of any date. Of those nine, five are 1908 coins. The importance of this top-grade 1909 is exceptional. Census: 29 in 66 (1 in 66+), 0 finer (6/17).
HID02901242017