1861 Quarter Eagle (1861 $2.50 Type 2) Type 2, NGC MS64. Fresh PQ Civil War Quarter Eagle. This lovely, bright quarter eagle is fully lustrous on both obverse and reverse. It is free of distracting abrasion or contact marks. The coin is premium quality, perhaps worthy of a gem grade. Because of its full strike, we see every detail of every device on both sides of the coin. In 1840 the Coronet or Braided Hair quarter eagle was minted. It was designed by Christian Gobrecht. The design remained in use and substantially unchanged until 1908, when Bella Lyon Pratts Indian Head quarter eagle replaced it.

While 1861 quarter eagles are readily available in circulated grades, like many of the issues from 1840 to the 70s, they are scarce in uncirculated condition. The present coin, a Type II, has smaller arrows that are further apart than on the Type I coins.