1840-C Quarter Eagle (1840-C $2.50) NGC AU58. This Southern branch mint 1840-C Quarter Eagle shows substantial mint luster within its devices. There is light abrasion and wear on the highest points, in keeping with the grade. The strike is strong on both sides, especially on the obverse. Partial knife rims are seen, which is usual for this date and mint. Christian Gobrecht used the coronet motif for his Liberty Head Quarter Eagle design. It shows a profile of Liberty facing left. Her hair is tied in the back with beads as two curls flow down her neck.

On the coronet the word LIBERTY is inscribed. She is surrounded by thirteen six-pointed stars and the date, which is below the truncation. At the periphery of the coin are dentils on both sides. The reverse of the shows a heraldic eagle with wings outstretched looking to the left. In its talons it holds the olive branch and arrows, symbols of peace and preparedness. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc around the eagle, interrupted by the wing tips. The denomination written as 2 D. is below, separated from the inscription by dots.

Gobrecht was the third Chief Engraver at Mint in Philadelphia. After an apprenticeship, he became an engraver of clockworks in Baltimore. Later, in Philadelphia, he joined a banknote engraving firm. His first work for the United States Mint was in 1826 when he made dies as an assistant to William Kneass. When Kneass was unable to continue working because of a stroke, Gobrecht did all the die and pattern work. He was Chief Engraver from 1840 until his death in 1844.

In its population report, NGC shows 27 in AU58 with 14 better.