Numismatic

1838 $2.50 Gold Classic Head AU-55 NGC

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The 1838 gold quarter eagle represents a fascinating chapter in early United States coinage. Struck from 0.900 fine gold, this coin contains 0.1209 troy ounces of precious metal. It belongs to the brief Classic Head design era, which spanned only from 1834 to 1839. With a total mintage of just 47,030 pieces, this specific issue is a scarce survivor of pre-1933 American coinage. Designed by William Kneass, the obverse of the coin presents an elegant depiction of Liberty. Her hair is bound by a simple band, or coronet, while the date 1838 is positioned beneath her portrait. This classic styling offers a distinct aesthetic compared to the gold designs that both preceded and followed this short-lived series. On the reverse, a detailed eagle is depicted with its wings spread wide, protecting a shield positioned across its breast. The central motif is surrounded by thirteen stars, representing the original colonies. The inscriptions on this side clearly identify the issuing nation as the United States of America, alongside the face value abbreviated as 2 1/2 D.