The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
Numismatic Rarity
Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
Relative Rarity By Type
Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
Relative Rarity By Series
Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
David Akers (1975/88):
There are two main varieties for this year. the first has a compact date and 4 berries on the reverse. The other major variety, significantly more rare, has a widely spaced date and 5 berries on the reverse. Both varieties of this year have a unique obverse star configuration; namely 6 stars to the left, and 7 to the right. No other date of this type has a similar arrangement.
Despite the fact that there are three auction records for "proofs", I do not believe that true proofs really exist. Most likely the three pieces listed were merely pieces with full proof-like surfaces. By far, the finest 1798 quarter eagle that I have seen was a gem owned a few years ago by Stack's.
Gordon Wrubel:
There are only two die varieties of 1798 $2 1/2 dollar gold pieces. These are comprised of two distinct obverses and reverses: The Close Date with a 4 Berry reverse, Bass-Dannreuther, BD-1, and the Wide Date with a 5 Berry reverse, BD-2. While both varieties are rare, the Bass-Dannreuther research has shown that the former, BD-1, is about TWICE as rare as the latter, BD-2, in all grades including Mint State.
Quickfinder Notes: Of course the two varieties can be distinguished by counting the berries in the branch held in the eagles left claw. But the obverse dies are also distinctive. The Close Date has the digits rather closely spaced and the 8 is CLEAR OF THE BUST. The Wide Date has noticeably wider spaced digits and the 8 is EMBEDDED IN THE BUST drapery.
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