1798 Quarter Eagle

HBCC#:

3006

Breen#:

6117

BD#:

2

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

This is the second variety of 1798 quarter eagle coined, featuring a widely spaced date in comparison with the other variety, HBCC-3005, and five berries in the branch on the reverse. This reverse die was also used to produce certain varieties of dimes from the same era. Dimes and quarter eagles were closely similar in diameter-thus single reverse dies could, and did, serve double-duty. For many years, Walter Breen considered this to be the rarer of the two 1798 die varieties. Later research shows that this variety is actually slightly more common. Approximately 80 examples are known.

Provenance:

From Stack's sale of the Gibson and Groves Collections, November 1974, Lot 490. Acquired privately from Stack's in December 1974, after completion of the sale.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Commentary:

"Obverse: Wide Date. Reverse: Five berries."