View source for Quarter eagle

{{Short description|Gold coin issued by the United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2016}}

[[File:NNC-US-1796-G$2½-Turban Head (no stars).jpg|thumb|275px|1796 "Turban Head" or "Capped Bust" quarter eagle (no stars)]]
The '''quarter eagle''' is a gold coin that was issued by the United States with a value of two hundred and fifty cents, or two dollars and fifty cents. It was given its name in the [[Coinage Act of 1792]], as a derivation from the US ten-dollar [[Eagle (United States coin)|eagle]] coin.

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2022}}
[[File:NNC-US-1796-G$2½-Turban Head (stars).jpg|thumb|275px|1796 "Turban Head" or "Capped Bust" quarter eagle (with stars)]]
The quarter eagle [[denomination (currency)|denomination]] was struck at the main [[mint (coin)|mint]] at [[Philadelphia Mint|Philadelphia]] (1796–1929), and branch mints in [[Charlotte Mint|Charlotte]] (1838–1860), [[New Orleans Mint|New Orleans]] (1839–1857 only), [[Dahlonega Mint|Dahlonega]] (1839–1859), [[San Francisco Mint|San Francisco]] (1854–1879), and [[Denver Mint|Denver]] (1911–1925). Years were skipped at the various mints, with no coins at all made from 1809–1820 and 1916–1924. The first issues weighed {{convert|67.5|gr|oz g}} at .9167 fineness. This was modified to {{convert|64.5|gr|oz g}} and at .8992 fineness by the [[Coinage Act of 1834]]. The soon-to-follow [[Coinage Act of 1837]] established a fineness of .900,{{sfn|Yeoman|2014|p=245}} meaning that 1837 and later quarter eagles contain {{convert|0.121|ozt|oz g}} of gold content.

Relatively few coins were struck prior to 1834, owing to their higher gold content (promoting melting for their bullion content). The first issues were struck in 1796.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Quarter Eagles|url=https://www.pcgs.com/news/quarter-eagles|access-date=2021-09-06|website=PCGS|language=en-us|archive-date=2021-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906194004/https://www.pcgs.com/news/quarter-eagles|url-status=live}}</ref> The quarter eagle denomination was officially discontinued in 1933 with the removal of the United States from the Gold Standard, although the last date of issue was 1929.

==List of design varieties==
{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center| align = right| direction = vertical| width = 275| header = Quarter eagle Capped Busts|footer_align = center|footer=1808 "Capped Bust", 1821 "Capped Head", 1834 "Capped Head" (reduced) | image2 = NNC-US-1808-G$2½-Capped Bust (left).jpg| alt2 = | caption2  = | image3 = NNC-US-1821-G$2½-Capped Head.jpg| alt3 = | caption3  = | image4= NNC-US-1834-G$2½-Capped Head (reduced).jpg|alt4= |caption4=}}

===Capped Bust===
Also known as the "Turban Head", this interpretation of Liberty wearing a turban-like cap was designed by [[Robert Scot]] and was minted from 1796 to 1807, for a total of less than 20,000 coins minted.{{sfn|Travers|2007|p=173}}

There were three varieties of this design. First came the Capped Bust facing right variety. There were two variations of this design, no stars on the [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]], and stars on the obverse. The 'no stars' variety was produced only in 1796, replaced with the stars. In 1808, Liberty was redesigned by John Reich, to be wearing more of a traditional cap rather than a turban. This design was minted for 1808 only, but in 1821 the mint reinstated the quarter eagle and it was produced again until 1827, {{clarification needed span|text=slightly scaled down in diameter|reason=From what?  No original diameter is ever given.|date=June 2025}} to {{convert|18.5|mm}} from the original 20. In 1829, the quarter eagle was reduced in size again to {{convert|18.2|mm}}, and featured smaller letters and stars. This version of the design was produced until 1834.{{Sfn|Yeoman|2014|p=246}}{{Clear}}

===Classic Head===
[[File:NNC-US-1835-G$2½-Classic Head.jpg|thumb|275px|1835 "Classic Head" quarter eagle]]

The "[[Classic Head quarter eagle|Classic Head]]" variety was designed by [[William Kneass]], which featured a traditional maiden with a ribbon binding her long, curly hair. This variety omitted [[E pluribus unum]] from the reverse of the coin. In 1840, a coronet and smaller head were designed to conform with the appearance of the larger gold coins, therefore making the Classic Head design obsolete.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

The Classic Head design was produced from 1834 to 1839.<ref name=":0" />{{Clear}}

===Liberty Head===
[[File:NNC-US-1848-G$2½-Liberty Head (CAL).jpg|thumb|right|275px|The 1848 "Liberty Head" quarter eagle punch-marked "CAL"]]
Also known as the "Coronet Head", the Liberty head was designed to match the styles of the other gold eagles the government was producing. The Liberty Head design was created by [[Christian Gobrecht]] and was produced successfully from 1840 to 1907, making it the most popular and longest of all of the designs for the quarter eagle. Like its predecessor, this variety omitted [[E Pluribus Unum]] from the reverse.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

One notable date is 1848, when 230 ounces of gold were sent to the Secretary of War Marcy by Colonel R.B.&nbsp;Mason, the military governor of California. The gold was turned over to the mint and promptly made into quarter eagles. The distinguishing mark ''CAL.'' was punched above the [[heraldic eagle]] on the reverse side of the coin. Only 1,389 of these coins were minted and are highly sought after by collectors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Liberty Head $2.5 |url=https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/gold-coins/liberty-head-2-5-1840-1907/758 |access-date=2021-09-06|website=PCGS|language=en-us|archive-date=2021-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906200438/https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/gold-coins/liberty-head-2-5-1840-1907/758|url-status=live}}</ref> There are several specimens with [[Proof coin|proof]]-like surfaces and the coins are highly sought after by collectors, with one example selling for $402,500 at auction in 2006.{{sfn|Yeoman|2014|p=248}}

===Indian Head===
[[File:NNC-US-1908-G$2½-Indian Head.jpg|thumb|275px|1908 Indian Head quarter eagle]]

The "[[Indian Head quarter eagle|Indian Head]]" design and the similar [[half eagle]] piece were created by Boston sculptor [[Bela Pratt|Bela Lyon Pratt]]. The coin was a departure from other examples of American coinage because it had no raised edges, instead featuring a design sunk into the planchet. The public had much distaste for the experimental and unusual design. Many feared that the recessed surfaces would collect germs,{{sfn|Yeoman|2014|p=251}} and others simply thought it was ugly. Numismatists took little interest in the coin. This resulted in few examples in uncirculated condition and the coin slipped into obscurity for many years.{{sfn|Yeoman|2014|p=251}} Later, however, collectors came to adore the exotic design and the coin is recognized as part of the creative renaissance of American coinage. The Indian Head design was produced from 1908 to 1929.<ref name=":0" /> It is frequently counterfeited.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgs.com/news/Indian-Head-Quarter-Eagles-King-Of-The-Counterfeit-Gold-Coin |title=Indian Head Quarter Eagles – King of the Counterfeit Gold Coin Series! |access-date=2019-04-15 |archive-date=2019-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415130332/https://www.pcgs.com/news/Indian-Head-Quarter-Eagles-King-Of-The-Counterfeit-Gold-Coin |url-status=live |first=Mike |last=Sargent |date=April 13, 2009}}</ref>

==Commemorative issues==
Two of the [[early United States commemorative coins]] are quarter eagles. The [[Panama–Pacific commemorative coins#Barber's half dollar and quarter eagle|1915-S]] was produced for the [[Panama-Pacific Exposition]] in [[San Francisco]].{{Sfn|Yeoman|2014|pp=288–289}} The obverse depicts Liberty riding a [[Hippocampus (mythology)|hippocampus]], while the reverse shows an eagle. Only 6,749 were sold.{{Sfn|Yeoman|2014|p=289}} Considerably more common is the [[United States Sesquicentennial coinage#Design|1926]] issue struck to commemorate the [[Sesquicentennial Exposition]] in [[Philadelphia]]. A total of 46,019 pieces were sold. The obverse shows Liberty standing on a globe and holding a torch and the [[United States Declaration of Independence]], while the reverse pictures [[Independence Hall]].{{sfn|Yeoman|2014|p=295}} Since the resumption of commemorative gold coin mintage in 1984 none have been struck in this denomination.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |title=Scott Travers' Top 88 Coins to Buy and Sell: 44 Winners and 44 Losers|first=Scott A.|last=Travers|publisher=Random House Information Group.|date=2007|access-date=June 13, 2021|isbn=9780375722219|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7QudoufcJ30C&dq=scott+a.+travers+coins+%22quarter+eagle%22&pg=PA117|page=173}}
* {{Yeoman-2014}} {{sfn whitelist|CITEREFYeoman2014}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Money|Numismatics|United States}}
*[https://www.coincommunity.com/us_gold_quarter_eagles/indian_head.asp US Quarter Eagle by year and type.] Histories, photos, and more.
*[http://www.coinfacts.com/commemoratives/two_and_one_half_dollar_gold_commemoratives/1915s_panama_pacific.htm 1915-S PANAMA-PACIFIC COMMEMORATIVE QUARTER EAGLE ($2.50)]
*[http://www.coinfacts.com/commemoratives/two_and_one_half_dollar_gold_commemoratives/1926_sesquicentennial_commemorat.htm 1926 SESQUICENTENNIAL QUARTER EAGLE ($2.50)]
{{United States circulating coinage}}{{Obsolete United States currency and coinage}}
{{Coinage (United States)}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1796 introductions]]
[[Category:United States gold coins]]
[[Category:Quarter Eagle| ]]
[[Category:Goddess of Liberty on coins]]
[[Category:Eagles on coins]]