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EARLY GOLD

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.

 


 




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Early Gold - Early Quarter Eagles - Early Half Eagles - Early Eagles
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