By Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

For decades, the 1841 $2½ gold coin (Quarter Eagle) has been called ‘The Little Princess.’ David Akers is probably the foremost expert on U.S. gold coins, and he does not know why.

‘The Little Princess’ name is known to have been used by Norman Stack in the 1950s, but he never explained the origin of this name ‘in print.’ In recent years, Heritage cataloguers have frequently cited Norman Stack in conjunction with this name. In early 1988, B&M (New Hampshire) cataloguers linked ‘The Little Princess’ name to Abe Kosoff. He was a dealer, writer and auction firm CEO. Kosoff was very active from the early 1940s to the mid 1960s. While its origin is a mystery, ‘The Little Princess’ name has stuck, and almost all U.S. gold coin experts know of it.
1841 Quarter Eagle - The Little Princess

An 1841 Quarter Eagle is ‘in the news.’ It was reported separately and exclusively on CoinLink.com that Bob Green purchased one on June 1, at the Long Beach Coin, Stamp and Collectible Expo. It is certified ‘Proof-53′ by the PCGS.

Soon after the Long Beach Expo, Green sold his 1841 Quarter Eagle to a collector, who now needs only one date to complete a set of Quarter Eagles from 1796 to 1929. In May 2006, Green sold him an 1854-S, one of ten or eleven known.

Path breaking research regarding the pedigrees of 1841 Quarter Eagles was published by Walter Breen in 1988, and by Mark Borckardt in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Borckardt was then employed by Bowers and Merena (New Hampshire). He is now employed by Heritage. Yet, several Heritage offerings of 1841 Quarter Eagles over the past three years have not resulted in both a clarification and enhancement of Borckardt’s roster. (more…)

The 1894-S Barber dime has been the subject of numerous comments, accounts, catalogue descriptions, and articles. In 2005 it was the subject of a book by Kevin Flynn, The 1894-S Dime: A Mystery Unraveled. Poignantly, the author noted, “The 1894-S dime is the rarest official business strike ever produced at a United States Mint.” The key phrase here is business strike, or circulation strike, referring to coins actually made for general commerce-and therefore not including, for example, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel and the 1804 silver dollar. Mint records state that only 24 were struck, but no documentation giving particulars as to the circumstances of manufacture or distribution of the pieces has ever surfaced. Thus, the 1894-S has been wreathed in mystery, always a good ingredient for numismatic interest, publicity, and desire for ownership. It is believed that only ten exist today. William A. Burd’s “The Inscrutable 1894-S Dime,” The Numismatist, February 1994, lists the known examples, two of which are well worn. This was a watershed study in the annals of this coin, as previously the population was estimated as being closer to a dozen, perhaps even 13 or 14. The Flynn text agrees and places the number at nine.

Reasons given for making just 24 1894-S dimes include “balancing the Mint books by clearing a $2.40 item” and “testing the dies.” Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia, 1988, p. 323 suggests that John Daggett, superintendent of the San Francisco Mint, struck the 24 pieces, all Proofs, as a favor for banker friends. Breen went on to comment:
“Each of eight persons received three; Daggett gave his three to his daughter Hallie, telling her to put them away until she was as old as he was, at which time she would be able to sell them for a good price. On the way home the child supposedly spent one for a dish of ice cream, but kept the other two until 1954, when she sold them to coin dealer Earl Parker.… ” (more…)