1845-D $2.50 (Regular Strike)

David Akers (1975/88): Scarce in all grades and rare better than EF. As a date, just slightly more rare than the 1843-D and 1844-D, but significantly more rare than either of those two dates in AU or Unc. The finest specimen I have seen was the one in the 1975 ANA Sale (listed as AU) that had previously appeared in the American Auction Association Sale of May, 1974 (listed as Unc.). Although the piece has a few light handling marks, I consider it to be uncirculated, and I do not recall seeing its equal.

Doug Winter: The 1845-D quarter eagle is very similar to the 1844-D in terms of its overall rarity. However, the 1845-D is significantly rarer in high grades.

The 1845-D quarter eagle is usually seen in Very Fine and Extremely Fine grades. It is very scarce in About Uncirculated and it becomes rare in strictly graded About Uncirculated-55. This date is very rare in properly graded About Uncirculated-58 and it is extremely rare in Uncirculated.

STRIKE: This date generally shows an average quality strike for a Dahlonega quarter eagle produced during the 1840’s. On the obverse, the curls near the ear and eye of the Liberty are mostly full, though they show some weakness. The border is sharp with many of the stars displaying full radial lines. The milling is completely defined with no weakness. The reverse is a bit less well struck. The eagle’s neck and right leg are nearly always weak as are the top of the shield and the base of the claws. The border is sharp and the milling is full.

SURFACES: The 1845-D quarter eagle is often found with noticeable marks on the surfaces. These are usually very detracting. Interestingly, most of the higher grade examples of this date I have seen have very obvious marks which significantly reduce their eye appeal (and subsequent value).

LUSTER: The luster on high grade examples is slightly subdued and it shows a somewhat grainy texture. It is not as good as that seen on the 1843-D or 1844-D quarter eagles.

COLORATION: Uncleaned, original 1845-D quarter eagles have light to medium green-gold coloration. This is among the hardest issues from the 1840’s to locate with original color. This was even true before the current mania for bright and shiny branch mint gold coins began in the 1990’s.

EYE APPEAL: Most 1845-D quarter eagles show poor eye appeal. This is primarily due to the fact that so many have serious marks and subdued luster. Locating a high grade example with good eye appeal is extremely difficult.

DIE VARIETIES: Only one die variety is known.

Variety 6-I: On the obverse, the 18 in the date shows light repunching. The 1 is very close to the bust and the denticles while the 5 is equally spaced between the bust and the denticles. The reverse is the same as described for 1844 Variety 5-H.