Your Cart is Empty
$2,595.00 $3,495.00 You Save 25% ($900.00)
The 1838 Classic Head $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle represents a distinctive chapter in early American coinage. Struck during a formative period for United States monetary policy, this gold piece reflects legislative reform, evolving mint technology, and the artistic direction of early federal coin design.
Graded PCGS AU53, this example offers strong remaining detail with only light wear, making it an attractive certified specimen for collectors of early U.S. gold.
In the early 1830s, fluctuations in global gold prices caused many earlier U.S. gold coins to be melted for bullion value. To stabilize circulation, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1834, reducing the weight and slightly altering the composition of U.S. gold coinage.
The Classic Head Quarter Eagle emerged from this reform. Produced from 1834 through 1838, the series marked a transition from earlier Capped Bust designs to more refined neoclassical imagery.
The 1838 issue represents one of the later examples of this design before the introduction of Christian Gobrecht’s Liberty Head (Coronet) series in 1839.
Obverse:
Liberty facing left
Headband inscribed “LIBERTY”
Hair styled in detailed curls
Thirteen stars around the border
Date: 1838
The Classic Head design is known for its balanced composition and understated elegance.
Reverse:
Heraldic eagle with shield
Olive branch and arrows in talons
Legend: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”
Denomination: “2 ½ D.”
The reverse design maintains strong national symbolism without the inclusion of a motto, giving the coin a clean, uncluttered appearance.
Denomination: $2.50 Quarter Eagle
Year: 1838
Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
Designer: William Kneass
Composition: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 4.18 grams
Actual Gold Weight: 0.1209 troy oz
Diameter: 18 mm
Edge: Reeded
Grade: PCGS AU53
A PCGS AU53 grade indicates:
Light circulation wear on high points
Clear remaining detail in Liberty’s hair and eagle feathers
Partial luster may remain in protected areas
Surfaces free from major damage
AU53 examples offer a balance between affordability and strong visual detail, especially for early gold issues where higher Mint State grades can become significantly more scarce.
The 1838 Classic Head Quarter Eagle appeals to:
Early U.S. gold collectors
Classic Head series specialists
Pre-1840 type set builders
Students of American monetary reform
Collectors seeking historic small-denomination gold
Because the Classic Head design had a relatively short production span, it remains an important and recognizable type within early American gold coinage.
Encapsulated in a PCGS holder, this coin benefits from:
Verified authenticity
Professional grade assessment
Long-term surface protection
Market-recognized certification
To preserve the coin:
Store in a stable, low-humidity environment
Avoid exposure to excessive heat
The 1838 Classic Head $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle PCGS AU53 offers a meaningful connection to early American economic reform and 19th-century mint craftsmanship. With its classic Liberty portrait, strong remaining detail, and certified authenticity, it stands as a distinguished example of pre-Civil War U.S. gold coinage.
For collectors focused on historic American gold, this 1838 Classic Head Quarter Eagle provides both character and historical depth.
All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only. For personalized financial advice, consult a licensed professional adviser.
