Save 15% on Books & Supplies at Whitman.com.
Use promo code: WHITMAN151

Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Classic Head, 1834-1839 MS [Type]

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Gold): 0.1208 oz +2.62%
$402.58
Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Classic Head, 1834-1839 MS [Type]
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!

Obverse Description

Liberty is seen with a formal, or classic, hair style, facing left with 13 stars around the periphery and the date centered at the bottom. Mint mark, if any, is positioned above the date.

Reverse Description

An eagle with wings fully spread with a ribbon above its head bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery with "2 1/2 D." written as a fraction appears at the bottom.

Book Reference

Designer: William Kneass. Weight: 4.18 grams. Composition: 1834–1836: .8992 gold, .1008 silver and copper (net weight .13258 oz. pure gold); 1834–1836: .900 gold, .100 silver and copper (net weight .1327 oz. pure gold). Diameter: 18.2 mm. Edge: Reeded. Mints: Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans.

Key to Collecting: Quarter eagles of the Classic Head design appeared in circulation in August 1834 and caused many press notices at the time. These and the related half eagles were often called yellow jackets, yellow boys, or Benton’s yellow jackets, after Thomas Hart Benton, an advocate of the coinage bill of June 28, 1834.

In comparison to half eagles, quarter eagles were produced in much smaller quantities, but many exist today, mostly in worn grades from VF through EF, occasionally AU, but not often Mint State. The latter such examples are fairly scarce, and when seen are usually dated early in the type. Typical grades are MS-60 to MS-62 or MS-63. True choice and gem pieces exist and are scarce and very highly prized, insuring great competition when they come up for auction.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: The striking is generally good, but central areas should be checked, particularly the upper part of the shield and the lower part of the eagle’s neck. Eye appeal and luster vary widely, and some discrimination is recommended to select an example that is choice.

Proof Coins: Proofs were made in small quantities, and today probably only a couple dozen or so survive, most bearing the 1834 date. Such coins are in the category of numismatic prizes.

Catalog Information

GSID: 72375
Designer: William Kneass
Obverse Designer: William Kneass
Obverse Lettering: LIBERTY, [Date]
Reverse Designer: William Kneass
Reverse Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, 2 1/2 D.
Fineness: 0.8992
Weight (gr): 4.18 gr
Weight (oz): 0.1344 oz
Precious Metal Weight: 0.1208 oz
Strike Type: Business
Diameter: 18.2
Coin Shape: Round
Edge: Reeded
Variety: Classic Head
Variety 2: 1834-1839
Coin Date: Classic Head Quarter Eagle
Denomination: $2 1/2
Designation: MS
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Coinage Type: Gold Quarter Eagle
Coinage Years: 1834-1839
Composition: 89.92% gold; 10.08% silver & copper
PCGS #: 7691
Subscribe to View

View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.

Coin Value History
Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Classic Head, 1834-1839 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Classic Head, 1834-1839 MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Value by grade is available to subscribers. Subscribe to View

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Gold): 0.1208 oz +2.62%
$402.58
GSID:72375 PCGS:7691 Shop related

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values by grade for Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Classic Head, 1834-1839 MS [Type]
Grade CAC CPG Value (Retail) Greysheet Price (Wholesale)
MS66 CAC $72,000 $1,234
MS66 - $66,000 $1,234
MS65 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS65 - $1,234 $1,234
MS64 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS64 - $1,234 $1,234
MS63 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS63 - $1,234 $1,234
MS62 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS62 - $1,234 $1,234
MS61 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS61 - $1,234 $1,234
MS60 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS60 - $1,234 $1,234
AU58 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU58 - $1,234 $1,234
AU55 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU55 - $1,234 $1,234
AU53 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU53 - $1,234 $1,234
AU50 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU50 - $1,234 $1,234
XF45 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF45 - $1,234 $1,234
XF40 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF40 - $1,234 $1,234
VF35 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF35 - $1,234 $1,234
VF30 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF30 - $1,234 $1,234
VF25 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF25 - $1,234 $1,234
VF20 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF20 - $1,234 $1,234
F15 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F15 - $1,234 $1,234
F12 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F12 - $1,234 $1,234
VG10 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG10 - $1,234 $1,234
VG8 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG8 - $1,234 $1,234
G6 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G6 - $1,234 $1,234
G4 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G4 - $1,234 $1,234
AG3 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AG3 - $1,234 $1,234

Related Items

Other items from this series
See all

Auction Prices

Recent public sale records for this item
See all
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, AU55 PCGS. CDN: $1,700 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 131,402. ...
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, AU55 PCGS. CDN: $1,700 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 131,402. ...
$2,318
Sold 2/11/2026
Heritage Auctions
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8, HM-8, R.2, AU58 PCGS. PCGS Population: 39 in 58, 63 finer (11/25). CDN: $1,800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS...
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8, HM-8, R.2, AU58 PCGS. PCGS Population: 39 in 58, 63 finer (11/25). CDN: $1,800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS...
$2,684
Sold 1/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS64 NGC. ...
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS64 NGC. ...
$14,640
Sold 1/16/2026
Heritage Auctions
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 14 in 35, 230 finer (12/25). CDN: $862.59 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. ...
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 14 in 35, 230 finer (12/25). CDN: $862.59 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. ...
$885
Sold 1/7/2026
Heritage Auctions
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: 38 in 45, 168 finer (11/25). CDN: $979.32 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. ...
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: 38 in 45, 168 finer (11/25). CDN: $979.32 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. ...
$1,020
Sold 12/3/2025
Heritage Auctions
1836 Block 8 PCGS AU-50
$1,180
Sold 7/18/2025
Scotsman Coin & Jewelry
1835 $2 1/2 HM-3, R.5, XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: (24/203). Mintage 131,402....
1835 $2 1/2 HM-3, R.5, XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: (24/203). Mintage 131,402....
$870
Sold 3/5/2025
Heritage Auctions
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS63 NGC....
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS63 NGC....
$8,400
Sold 2/27/2025
Heritage Auctions
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS65 PCGS....
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS65 PCGS....
$52,800
Sold 1/15/2025
Heritage Auctions
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8, HM-8, R.2, MS62 NGC....
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8, HM-8, R.2, MS62 NGC....
$4,320
Sold 12/13/2024
Heritage Auctions
1836 $2 1/2 Script 8 AU53 PCGS. Mintage 547,986. ...
1836 $2 1/2 Script 8 AU53 PCGS. Mintage 547,986. ...
$1,080
Sold 9/30/2024
Heritage Auctions
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS61 NGC....
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS61 NGC....
$2,520
Sold 8/16/2024
Heritage Auctions
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8 VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: (23/395). NGC Census: (25/478). CDN: $650 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Min...
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8 VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: (23/395). NGC Census: (25/478). CDN: $650 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Min...
$780
Sold 11/22/2023
Heritage Auctions
1838 $2 1/2 VG8 PCGS. PCGS Population: (1/259). NGC Census: (0/0). CDN: $420 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintage 47,030. ...
1838 $2 1/2 VG8 PCGS. PCGS Population: (1/259). NGC Census: (0/0). CDN: $420 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintage 47,030. ...
$504
Sold 9/13/2023
Heritage Auctions
1839-D $2 1/2 -- Polished -- NCS. VF Details. Mintage 13,674....
1839-D $2 1/2 -- Polished -- NCS. VF Details. Mintage 13,674....
$4,320
Sold 8/20/2023
Heritage Auctions
1836 $2 1/2 PCGS AG-03 (Block 8)
1836 $2 1/2 PCGS AG-03 (Block 8)
$460
Sold 4/17/2023
DLRC
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8 Fine 15 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (7/426 and 0/4+). NGC Census: (1/511 and 0/4+). CDN: $575 Whsle. Bi...
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8 Fine 15 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (7/426 and 0/4+). NGC Census: (1/511 and 0/4+). CDN: $575 Whsle. Bi...
$720
Sold 12/26/2022
Heritage Auctions
1836 $2 1/2 Script 8 VF25 NGC. NGC Census: (11/1094). PCGS Population: (13/712). CDN: $625 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mi...
1836 $2 1/2 Script 8 VF25 NGC. NGC Census: (11/1094). PCGS Population: (13/712). CDN: $625 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mi...
$750
Sold 3/23/2022
Heritage Auctions
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS60 NGC. The 1835 is a sleeper date among the Classic Head No Motto quarter eagles despite an adequ...
1835 $2 1/2 HM-2, R.3, MS60 NGC. The 1835 is a sleeper date among the Classic Head No Motto quarter eagles despite an adequ...
$2,400
Sold 10/13/2021
Heritage Auctions
1839-O $2 1/2 Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS Population: (1/292 and 0/1+). NGC Census: (1/343 and 0/1+). CDN: $850 Whsle. Bid for NGC/P...
1839-O $2 1/2 Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS Population: (1/292 and 0/1+). NGC Census: (1/343 and 0/1+). CDN: $850 Whsle. Bid for NGC/P...
$1,393
Sold 10/4/2021
Heritage Auctions
Subscribe to View

View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.

From the Greysheet Marketplace

Live listings from Greysheet dealers
See all

Greysheet News

Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading
Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading

The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”

American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago
American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago

Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program
United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program

The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.

Events

Heritage Auctions: US Currency Tuesday Select Auction
Heritage Auctions: US Currency Tuesday Select Auction Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World Paper Money Tuesday Select Auction
Heritage Auctions: World Paper Money Tuesday Select Auction Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, June 3, 2026