In
1792, the Mint began preparations for a full-fledged coinage.
Unfortunately, pregress was slow, thanks to the inability
of individuals to meet the stringent bond requirements for
employees who handled precious metals. Thus, the first official
U.S. Gold coins did not appear until 1795, when only $5 half
eagles and $10 eagles were struck. In 1796, $2.50 quarter
eagles were added to the mix.
EARLY QUARTER EAGLES
Authorized by
the Act of April 2, 1792, quarter eagles weighed
67.5 grains, .9167 fine¬ness until the weight
was changed to 64.5 grains, .8992 fineness, by
the Act of June 28, 1834. The Act of January 18,
1837, established fineness at .900. Most dates
before 1834 are rare. The first issue was struck
in 1796; most of these had no stars on the obverse.
CAPPED
BUST TO RIGHT (1796-1807)
Designer
Robert Scot: weight 4.37 grams; composition
,9167 gold, .0833 silver and copper: appro*,
diameter 20 mm:
reeded edge. F-12 FINE—Hair
worn smooth on high spots. E PLURIBUS
UNUM on ribbon weak but legible. VF-20 VERY FINE—Some
wear on high spots, EF-40 EXTREMELY FINE—Only
slighl wear on Liberty's hair and cheek. AU-50 ABOUT UNCIRCULATED—Trace
of wear on cap, hair, cheek, and drapery. AU-55 CHOICE ABOUT UNCIRCULATED—Evidence
of friction on design high points. Some
original mini luster
present MS-60 UNCIRCULATED—No
trace of wear. Light blemishes.
CAPPED
BUST TO LEFT, LARGE SIZE (1808)
Designer John Reich: standards
same as lor previous issue. F-12 FINE—E PLURIBUS
UNUM on reverse, and LIBERTY on Headband,
legible but weak. VF-20 VERY FINE—Motto
and LIBERTY clear. EF-40 EXTREMELY FINE—All
details of hair plain. AU-50 ABOUT UNCIRCULATED—Trace
of wear above eye. on top of cap, and on
cheek, and hair. AU-55 CHOICE ABOUT UNCIRCULATED—Evidence
of friction on design high points. Some
original mint
luster present. MS-60 UNCIRCULATED—No
trace of wear. Light blemishes.
CAPPED HEAD TO
LEFT (1821 -1834)
Large Diameter (1821-1827)
Standards same as for previous issue,
except diameter changed to approximately
18.5 mm in 1829.
CAPPED HEAD TO
LEFT (1829 -1834)
Reduced Diameter (1829-1834)
Those
dated 1829 through 1834 are smaller in
diameter (18.2 mm} than the 1821 through
1827 pieces. They also have smaller letters,
dates, and stars.
CLASSIC
HEAD, NO MOTTO ON REVERSE (1834)
In 1834,
a ribbon binding Liberty’s hair, bearing
the word LIBERTY, replaced the liberty cap.
The motto was omitted from the reverse.
In 1840 a coronet and smaller head were
designed to conform with the appearance
of the larger gold coins.
Designer William Kneass; weight 4.18 grams;
composition. .899, .1008 silver and copper
(changed to .900 gold in 1837); diameter
18.2 mm; reeded edge; mints: Philadelphia,
Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans.
