Is it possible to obtain a 1911 strong D quarter-eagle (2 1/2) in a lower, circulated grade?
TheLiberator
Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭
Hey there guys! I Hope all has been well. 
I just came back from the FUN show interested in quarter eagles.
So the 1911-d is obviously a famous rarity in the series, and a very high-end coin at the upper grades. (18k in 64 recently and a lot of AU-ms62s that have been net/details graded are still 5k. One of the finest went for 87k recently I think as well.)
I love absolute rarity over conditional rarity but I have limited budget (don't we all!), and as such, I don't mind my collection having lower end graded examples of famous coins or key dates that are more scarce. (For instance, I'd rather have one g-4 chain cent over a lot of pristine, generic morgans.)
Anyway, I know some coins are actually more rare in the circulated grades, but since I am newer to this series, I am unfamiliar as to whether this coin is possible to find relatively easily or not.
What say you? Ever seen a lower (G-VF maybe?) graded example of this issue? I'd love one!
Comments
Doubtful. On gold Indian $2.5 and $5 coins, the mintmark is the only design element that is raised above the field since it's punched into the completed die so the mintmark wears off fairly quickly.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
A check of the population reports should tell you what you need to know.
Here's a link for the PCGS one: https://www.pcgs.com/pop/detail/indian-2-5-1908-1929/759/0?t=5&pn=1
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Best of luck here. I've been shopping for one for a few years and even when I find something in mid grade it's still pretty pricey. Even lower grades are sparse, don't think I've encountered one. (Weird that the population report doesn't include the weak D, just the strong one. It's in the price guide though.)
Interesting that I own an OGH XF45 that doesn't show in the pop report.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1108779/new-piece-1911-strong-d-indian-quarter-eagle#latest
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Gosh...they are pretty much impossible in the lower grades. Thanks!
BTW, how ya been?!
Yeah, they can be had in au -62 fairly easily, but lower is much tougher. Also on the wek vs the straong, I agree with David Hall: If you are paying for the "D", ya wanna SEE the D! Those weak D's sometimes seem non-existent to me.
Good, thank you and I hope the same goes for you.
I don’t remember having seen you post for a long time.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
👀
Looking at a really sweet AU55 now w/CAC. Not cheap, nor should it be. Actually reasonably priced for what it is.
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
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That's exactly what I am looking for. Nice! Good luck!!
Two reverse dies made, second only produced 50 coins. No coins known from this die. Mintmark is highest point on incuse gold. Low relief D often referred to as weak strike, or shallow, lightly punched into the die.
Bullshit.
The weak mintmark is due to wear. It always amuses me when I see pop reports with weak D's in uncirculated grades.
Walter Breen once commented at the ANACS table I was manning in the 80's about an D mint $5 Indian some one had shown him on the bourse floor. As was typical in the day, a crowd began to grow around my table as Walter in his tye dyed red. purple and yellow shirt was purposely conspicuous.
The coin displayed several incuse D's on the reverse. Walter proposed
a theory that the mintmark may have been sheared off during ejection and subsequent strikes would show the MM incuse on the coin.
Not wanting to question the Master about the unlikely possibility of multiple strikes on a business strike. I merely offered that it might also occur from other D mint coins being pressed into the surface with the weight of many other gold coins. He pondered, as I am sure very few questioned his word on anything coin related.
He finally said it was possible, but not probable as the weight required to make an indent would be too great.
I just smiled and let the crowd enjoy the limelight of his authoritas. J,P,
J.P., I’ve seen weak D’s on examples that were clearly mint state. So I’ll have to disagree that they’re necessarily due to “wear”.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Mark, You have to admit the vast majority of weak D'S are sliders. I have never seen an unquestionable 64-67 coin with anything other than a strong mintmark. I have seen smeared mm's from ejection damage. I don't think
any pop report has a 64 or higher Weak D, maybe you have as you may have seen more than I in your career at NGC and heritage. NGC pop has graded 285 as weak D, 7 are 60-63, the rest are AU or less,.As we both know Incuse indians have been graded by luster, and many sliders end up in unc holders. Especially key dates. J.P.
J,P., even if the large majority are sliders or lower grade, as I recall, I’ve still seen some honest uncs. that were better than that. I don’t have an explanation for the distribution of weak D’s. And I suspect that your reasoning is largely sound - it’s just those pesky exceptions that muddy the waters a bit.
It’s always good to see you post. Don’t be a stranger.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Mark as you know I always value the opinions of respected numismatists. Thanks for yours.
With 3 teen boys and ANACS I rarely have the time to sit at a computer and play. Sub zero temps are keeping me inside watching the NFL playoffs. Looks like 2025 may be my last year grading coins for a living. I took a couple of months off this summer and drove the family around the entire coast of Australia, 25,000 kilometers on the wrong side of the road. Trip of a lifetime. J.P.
Thanks.
Let me guess - you’re getting out of the grading business in order to become a tour guide in Australia?😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
No, but the women there made me wish I had visited as a much younger man!
Seriously though, I want to sell these coins I've been amassing this last half century and enjoy these years with my boys. I've seen too many guys die and then have their coins auctioned. I, for one do not want my coins to outlive me. I am the best person to sell them, not my wife. J.P.