Owner Comments:
The 1851-O Quarter Eagle is the rarest of the three early '50 dates ('50, '51 and '52), and it slightly behind the 1846-O as 7th in high grade (AU and above rarity). In fact, these middle four dates ('46, '50-'52) are all similar in high grade rarity with about 43 to 59 known, and 8 to 12 in mint state. There are five coins more rare than this middle set, and five less!
In MS62 census there are PCGS 4/3 NGC 15/4, but the NGS numbers are clearly wrong due to extensive resubmitting by a West Coast dealer, and the number is probably closer to three or four actual coins. The census has grown between 2007 and 2008, with two added to PCGS (1/1) and one to NGC (1/0), so either we have some duplicates or new examples.
The present example is among the nicest and freshest (original) 1851-O quarter eagles in existance. It is very sharply struck (this date can have very variable strike), frosty and bright with pleasing medium green-gold color and choice surfaces. As on many known examples, the date is clearly doubled and on this piece this doubling can be seen with the naked eye. Probably a dozen or so are known in Uncirculated.