1821 Quarter Eagle, after over a dozen years of noncoinage of this denomination, apparently a few banks specified that parts of their deposits of gold bullion and foreign coins should be coined into Quarter Eagles and 1821 Quarter Eagle possibly as Christmas presents or souvenirs. Accordingly, Robert Scot (then 77 years old and with failing sight, but secure in his life tenure as Engraver) devised crude copies of his 1813 half eagle design, and hastily translated them into one working device punch for head and another for eagle with scroll, thence into working dies. The coins (1821 Quarter Eagle) were smaller (19 mm a against the former 20.6), but minutely thicker to preserve their weight unchanged. Letter punches were by Henry Starr.
Only a single obverse die was used in each year, though a second was made for 1821 Quarter Eagle which remained unused until 1824, when its final 1 was altered to a 4. Reportedly a second 1825 obverse was altered at the Mint by Kneass to 1826 so effectively that at most a microscopic corner of 5 shows at upper 1. of 6 and often not even that; its overdate status has been disputed. It must have been made long after its brother of 1826, as it has larger stars as in 1827.
Only a single reverse die exists for each year except 1825. The first reverse of that year is the die of 1821 - 1824 February 16 - June 30; the second is that of 1826 - 1827: [1,110] October - December 1825. This second var., discovered about 1915 by Waldo Newcomer, has larger denominator, large 2 close to leaf, fraction bar opposite a point a little above its upright. It remains very rare despite decades of examination of 1825's; possibly 8 - 10 survive.
Mintages remained of the same order of size as in previous years. Generally, from 30 - 50 survive of each date, except for 1825 close fraction and 1826. Survivors are mostly VF to UNC., though mint-state examples of 1821, 1826 and 1827 are seldom offered; beware "sliders."
The same warning applies as formerly about coins showing traces of solder.
Designer, Robert Scot, reverse after Reich. Engraver, Scot. Mint, Physical Specifications, Authorizing Acts, as before, except Diameter approximately 3/4" = 19mm.
Grade range and standards, as 1808, though without the peculiar weaknesses of that date.
1821 Quarter Eagle [6,448 + ?P ] Rare.
Small stars, 1821 - 1825. Proofs and earliest business strikes show guide lines (arcs) between words; on later ones these are effaced. Some (proofs and business strikes) have a tiny depression on cheek from foreign matter adhering to die.
