1861 Quarter Eagle Type 2 (1861 $2.50 Type 2) New Reverse, PCGS MS63. Civil War Quarter Eagle. This Civil War date 1861 quarter eagle shimmers with bright luster on both sides, particularly in Libertys hair and the eagles feathers. There are a couple of small marks on Libertys chin and cheek, which probably keep the coin from the gem grade. On the other hand, the reverse in virtually mark free. While the strike on the obverse is strong, there is some weakness on the reverse shield.

The Type 2 or New Reverse quarter eagles of this date were made from unsold and later melted Type I coins. Type IIs can be identified by smaller arrowheads that are further apart and the eagles open talons.

For the design of this coin Christian Gobrecht used coronet motif found on his Large Cents of 1839 to 57. It shows Liberty facing left, wearing a coronet with her hair tied with beads. She has two long, loose curls, one on the back of her neck and one under her ear.

Quarter eagle were made intermittently from 1796 to 1929 using various designs. The design of the present coin was used continuously from 1840 to 1907, which was the longest amount of time a design in an American coin series was used without major changes.