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1834 $2.50 Quarter Eagles
The year 1834 was a transitional one in numismatics, especially for $2.50 quarter
eagles. Collectors attempting to put together a type-variety set of gold coins generally
want one each of several types in their collections.
 The 1834 Capped
Head quarter eagle was replaced by the 1834 Classic Head quarter eagle design which was
struck in the same year. The 1834 Classic Head coin is somewhat lighter in weight and
alloy, weighing 3.758 grams and composed of .8992 fine gold, compared to 4.374 grams and
.9166 fine gold for the Capped Head quarter eagle. Both were designed by William Kneass
and struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The edge of each coin is
reeded.
Another important difference noted by collectors is that the Capped Head coin has the
motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on the
reverse while the Classic Head design doesn't.
 The Capped Head
design is the scarcer of the two with 4,000 struck, compared to 113,370 coined with
the Classic Head design. It is believed that most of the 4,000 1834 Capped Head quarter
eagles remained at the Mint and were melted. This may account for their rarity today and
correspondingly high prices, nearly $7,000 in only Fine 12 condition compared with only
$200 for the Classic Head design.
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