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.
