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The 1796 quarter is highly sought by collectors as the first year of issue for the denomination and as a one-year type coin featuring the small eagle reverse.
Obverse Description
Liberty is portrayed with a so-called "draped bust," facing right, with her hair tied back with a ribbon. She is flanked by stars on the left and right periphery with the word LIBERTY on top, and the date positioned at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The so-called "small eagle" is portrayed standing atop rocks motif in the center with wings fully surrounded by an olive wreath that is tied by a ribbon into a bow at the bottom. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery. No denomination is mentioned.
Book Reference
Designer: Probably Gilbert Stuart. Engraver: Robert Scot. Weight: 6.74 grams. Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper. Diameter: Approximately 27.5 mm. Edge: Reeded. Mint: Philadelphia.
Key to Collecting: Among the pieces needed for a type set of United States coins the 1796 quarter is one of the most elusive. It is also among the most famous. The combination of the Draped Bust obverse and Small Eagle reverse is unique to this year. In one coin, we have the first year of issue of the denomination, the only year of the design type, and a variety with an enticingly low mintage figure of just 6,146. How exciting! Hundreds of circulated examples exist, but as the demand is so extensive, any specimen meets with enthusiasm when it is offered. Hundreds of high-grade examples also exist, nearly all of which are prooflike. Most are quite attractive. In his 1988 Ency-clopedia, Walter Breen noted: “Many of these were saved as the first of their kind. When Col. E.H.R. Green inherited his mother’s millions, he became a collector of (among other things) railroad cars, pornographic films, and among his immense numismatic holdings was a hoard of over 200 Uncirculated 1796 quarter dollars, of which at least 100 were more or less prooflike—their fields more mirrorlike than on the others. A. Kosoffand Andre DeCoppet dispersed many of these to date and type collectors in the 1940’s.”11 Even in the 1950’s, such coins were seen with some frequency. However, by now they are widely dispersed, and the appearance of even a single choice or gem specimen is an event of importance.
Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Most are quite well struck except for the head of the eagle on the reverse, which can be shallow or flat, especially on the Browning-2 variety (there are two known die varieties for this year, Browning-1 being the rarer). However, all aspects should be checked prior to making a purchase. A few pieces have planchet striations or carbon streaks; these should be avoided, or bought at a discount. As noted, Mint State coins are prooflike, sometimes very mirrorlike, and not lustrous or frosty. Lower-grade coins can be porous or granular. Some have Mint-caused planchetadjustment marks.
Catalog Information
GSID:
74207
Designer:
Robert Scot
Obverse Designer:
Robert Scot
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1796
Reverse Designer:
Robert Scot
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Fineness:
0.89
Weight (gr):
6.74 gr
Weight (oz):
0.2167 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.1934 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
27.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Variety:
Small Eagle
Variety 2:
1796
Coin Date:
Draped Bust Quarter
Denomination:
25c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
6,146
Coinage Type:
Draped bust quarter
Coinage Years:
1796
Composition:
89% silver; 11% copper
Rarity:
3
PCGS #:
5309
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Coin Value History
Draped Bust Quarter 25c Small Eagle, 1796 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
Draped Bust Quarter 25c Small Eagle, 1796 MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$2,880,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $2,400,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG2 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG2 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1796 25c MS
Worth: $5,500 – $2,400,000
Draped Bust Quarter 25c Heraldic Eagle, 1804-1807 MS [Type]
![Draped Bust Quarter 25c Heraldic Eagle, 1804-1807 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1807.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $140 – $480,000
1804 25c MS
Worth: $1,300 – $414,000
1805 25c MS
Worth: $160 – $190,000
1806 25c MS
Worth: $160 – $480,000
1806/5 25c MS
Worth: $210 – $240,000
1807 25c MS
Worth: $160 – $600,000
1796 25C B-1, R.4, AG3 PCGS. ...
$11,590
1796 25C B-2, R.3, MS64 NGC. CAC....
$408,000
1796 25C B-2, R.3, Good 4 PCGS....
$14,520
1796 25C B-2, R.3, AU55 PCGS. CAC....
$144,000
1796 25C B-1, R.4, MS61 PCGS....
$168,000
1796 25C B-1, R.4, VG8 PCGS....
$24,000
No Date 25C 90% Silver Type 2 Planchet NGC....
$81
1796 25C B-2, R.3, MS62 NGC....
$156,000
1796 25C B-2, R.3, Fine 12 PCGS....
$45,600
1796 25C B-2, R.3, Fair 2 NGC....
$5,280
1796 25C B-1, R.4, VG10 PCGS....
$44,400
1796 25C B-2, R.3, XF40 PCGS....
$51,600
1796 25C B-2, R.3, AU58 PCGS. CAC....
$156,000
1796 25C B-2, R.3, MS63 PCGS....
$192,120
1796 PCGS Fair details/damage
$4,720
1796 25C B-2, R.3, VF25 PCGS....
$36,120
1796 25C B-1, R.4, Good 6 PCGS. Tompkins Die State 3/3. B-1 is the first regular issue die variety of the quarter denominat...
$17,400
1796 25c PCGS VF20
$36,500
1796 25C B-2, R.3, XF45 PCGS. ...
$66,000
1796 25C B-2, R.3, VF30 PCGS. ...
$43,200
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