4 Notable $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle Coin Details

Gold quarter eagles struck from 1796 through 1839 may be less familiar to the broader public than coins issued later. Collectors, however, recognize and value these $2.50 gold coins, often pursuing complete sets as well as individual examples for their collections. The series includes four principal designs and numerous varieties. The following overview explains the essentials for anyone buying or selling these gold coins.

Background on Gold Quarter Eagle Coin History

The Coinage Act of 1792 established the framework for minting ten-dollar eagle coins and related denominations, including gold quarter eagles. The first gold quarter eagles were struck in 1796. Production ran from 1796 through 1808, then resumed from 1821 through 1839, across four separate designs.

The Mint later kept issuing gold quarter eagles, including the Liberty Head and Indian Head types. This archived article, though, concentrates on the earlier quarter eagles made from 1796 through 1839.

Four Coins for Selling or Building a Collection

For collectors seeking greater variety, gold quarter eagles struck from 1796 through 1839 offer a worthwhile area to explore. Their values vary considerably, which can make examples accessible across a range of budgets. At the same time, building a fully complete set of these coins can present a significant challenge.

When this article was originally published, the discussion indicated that sellers of these coins could generally locate interested buyers. Before buying or selling, each principal type listed below merited careful research and the time needed to understand it properly.

$2.50 Right-Facing Capped Bust

Robert Scot produced the design known as Capped Bust to Right or Turban Head to Right. It portrays Lady Liberty facing right in a cap resembling a turban. During 1796 alone, the Capped Bust to Right bore no obverse stars; stars were added later that same year. Over its more than eight-year run, Capped Bust to Right coins recorded a combined mintage of 19,487 coins. The article identified the 1804 13-Star reverse, whose mintage is unknown, as the most valuable example, with values beginning in the solid five-figure range.

$2.50 Left-Facing Draped Bust

In 1808, the gold quarter eagle underwent its first significant redesign. Known as the Draped Bust to Left, or Capped Bust Large Size, the updated image showed Lady Liberty in a more conventional cap. John Reich created this design, which remained in use for just one year before quarter eagle production stopped until 1821. In all, 2,710 coins were struck in 1808.

$2.50 The Capped Bust

Robert Scot created a final Capped Bust version for the newly issued gold quarter eagles in 1821. These pieces were smaller and lighter in weight. In 1829, the design changed again, reducing the size of its lettering and stars. Among the $2.50 Capped Bust gold coins, the lowest-mintage and therefore most valuable issue was struck in 1826, when only 760 coins were produced.

$2.50 The Classic Head

William Kneass created the Classic Head gold quarter eagle coins design. Its Lady Liberty is shown as a young woman, with a ribbon placed in her long, curling hair. Notably, these coins are called “No Motto on Reverse” because the design left out E Pluribus Unum.

Over time, coinage moved toward greater consistency among denominations. This type was consequently discontinued and replaced by the 1840 Liberty Head gold quarter eagle coins. When the article was originally published, readers seeking additional information about $2.50 Liberty Head gold coins were directed to Liberty Head Quarter Eagles: Facts for Buyers and Sellers of $2.50 Gold Coins.

Basic Facts on These Four $2.50 Gold Coin Types

Important-Date Gold Quarter Eagle Coins

Gold quarter eagle coins carry value regardless of their year of mintage. Still, certain $2.50 gold coins struck between 1796 and 1839 may have exceptionally high values. The original article identified the following additional key dates as coins to note while building a collection or preparing to sell your coins.

1796 With Stars and No Stars

The 1796 Capped Bust to Right appeared in two varieties: one displays stars on the obverse, while the other has none. Although the no-star coins were issued during only one year, the No Star variety is, interestingly, more common than the With Stars variety.

1803 Gold Quarter Eagle Coinage

In 1803, production was especially limited: only 423 gold quarter eagle coins were struck. That limited mintage makes this issue both scarce and valuable.

1808 Capped Bust to Left Gold Quarter Eagle CoinageAt publication,

Because it was issued for only one year, the 1808 Draped Bust to Left—also called the Capped Bust to Left—was described as exceptionally rare. At the article’s original publication, specialists estimated that just 132 examples survived across all grades. Only nine were known at MS-60 or higher, and only one at MS-65 or higher. The article further noted that the finest known specimen carried an MS-65 grade and sold at auction in 2015 for $2,350,000.

The 1808 gold quarter eagle coins combine a distinctive, engaging design with notable scarcity. The original article therefore regarded them as desirable additions to a collection.

Gold Quarter Eagle Errors and Varieties

This group of gold quarter eagle coins includes several noteworthy errors and varieties.

• For 1804, certain gold quarter eagle coins showed 13 stars, whereas other reverse dies displayed 14 stars.
• On 1806 coins, two overstrikes occurred: 6 over 4, plus 6 over 5.
• 1824 featured a 4 over 1 overstrike; 1826 instead featured a 6 over 6 overstrike.
• 1836 appears in both the script 8 and block 8 varieties.

  

Although such differences may increase a gold quarter eagle coin’s value, the original article stated that coins dated from 1796 through 1839 were valuable and could be sought after when sold. It also characterized these pre-1933 issues as historically limited in supply and persistently in demand.

Summary

When this article was originally published, talk to us at Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers invited readers seeking identification help or an appraisal. Atlanta Gold & Coin stated it could help sellers determine what they owned and its value when they were considering a sale. At publication, buyers were also invited to ask about these gold quarter eagle coins; if none were then in inventory, the article said the requested coin might be sourced.

At the time of publication, readers were invited to call or email to arrange an appointment.