1834 Classic Head Quarter Eagle

HBCC#:

1007

Breen#:

6138

BD#:

n/a

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

From 1795 to early 1834, mintages of gold were very small. The price of gold rose through this period so that gold coins of the 1820s and early 1830s contained more than face value in content. Finally, this dilemma was solved by lowering the weight of these coins. The Classic Head design was prepared in connection with this change. This design was prepared by William Kneass with later modifications by Christian Gobrecht. This example is a lovely Proof and extremely rare as such, one of just eight known.

Provenance:

From the Bowers and Ruddy Galleries sale of the Eliasberg Collection, October 1982, Lot 101. Earlier from B. Max Mehl's sale of the G.F.E. Wilharm Collection, February 1921, there appearing as Lot 71.

Obverse:

Miss Liberty faces left, her curled hair tied by a band inscribed LIBERTY. Around, 13 stars are evenly spaced with the date below. Branch mint 1839 issues have the mintmark immediately above the date.

Reverse:

An eagle with wings spread has head turned to observer's left. A shield covers the eagle's breast. An olive branch is held in the dexter claw and three arrows in the sinister claw. Around, the statutory legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the denomination below.

Commentary:

"Obverse: Small head. Reverse: Large arrowheads. No recutting on E(S) or O(F)."