Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1840-1907
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 18 mm
Weight: 4.18 grams (64.50 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 11,921,171
The Coronet motif, also called the Liberty Head or Braided Hair style, by Christian Gobrecht, appeared on the quarter eagle in 1840 and was continued uninterruptedly through 1907, the longest span in American coinage history of a design in use without major change or alterations. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty, her hair in a bun secured with a string of beads, wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, facing left, her head circled by stars, and with the date below. The reverse depicts an eagle with a shield on its breast, perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 2½ D. surrounds.
Throughout the coinage span 1840-1907 the Philadelphia Mint produced pieces each year. In general, early examples are fairly scarce, with the 1841 in particular being a prime rarity. Issues produced during the last decade of the series are those most often seen, with dates from 1902 through 1907 being the most plentiful. Additional coinage was accomplished from time to time at Charlotte, Dahlonega, San Francisco, and New Orleans.
The type set collector will encounter no difficulty in acquiring a representative specimen in any grade desired from Very Fine through AU. Uncirculated pieces are encountered with frequency, particularly those of the final years of the type. Superb Uncirculated pieces are available but are very scarce in relation to lower grades.
