1861 $2.50 Type 2 (1861 Type 2 Quarter Eagle), PCGS MS63. Softly frosted mint luster glows on the surface of this Civil War dated, mint state 1861 Quarter Eagle. The obverse is well struck with full centers on the stars and complete lines on highest points of Libertys hair. The reverse is above average with full details on the eagles neck, the top of the shield, and the lower feathers. The coin shows no wear, as expected for a mint state piece.

The Liberty Head quarter eagle was minted from 1840 to1907, the longest span of any coinage series without a major design modification. The coin, originally designed by Christian Gobrecht, was slightly changed in 1859 by the new Engraver, James B. Longacre, who made the arrowheads smaller and further apart; however, in San Francisco the old reverse was used until 1867. In 1866 it was mandated that the motto IN GOD WE TRUST be added to all coinage large enough to accommodate it. It was decided that the quarter eagle was too small for this modification.

As an anti-counterfeiting device, these coins were completely hubbed except for the date and mint mark. The dates were entered by hand.