Lot 3191
1804 $2.50 Capped Bust. 14 stars. NGC graded AU-58 PQ. NGC #447320-001. Well struck except for some of the obverse stars, a coin glittering with semi-reflective surfaces which accentuate any marks in the fields and adjustment marks on the reverse. A Premium Quality coin for the given grade. One of the most sought-after of the early quarter eagle varieties for the interesting star-count on the reverse. The surfaces have very slight handling marks primarily in the fields, far fewer than one would expect given the age of this early $2.50 gold piece. The reverse is similar in quality with choice prooflike luster found in the fields. A much sharper strike for this issue as well, with excellent detail on the curl which flips around and extends over Liberty's cap and on the eagle's wing feathers.
The unusual feature of the extra star first arose in 1798. The new heraldic eagle reverse is by Robert Scot using the Great Seal of the United States as his prototype. However, on the Great Seal the stars above the eagle are in straight rows, and straight rows of stars fit unsuccessfully within a crescent of clouds. Scot aligned several of his reverse dies in straight rows, but the stars seem awkward in their placement between the clouds, scroll and eagle's head. On the 14-star reverse die the stars were run in straight lines, parallel to the left edge on the eagle's wing. Apparently this error was noticed and the die not used in 1798. However, in 1804 this reverse was used to strike both quarter eagles and dimes with that date (both being of similar size). The quarter eagles are rarely offered. For the collector, this is one of the most desirable quarter eagles in the series. Pop 22; 16 finer, 8 in 61, 8 in 62 (PCGS # 7652) .
Estimated Value $20,000 - 24,000.
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