Appealing golden-yellow surfaces reveal undertones of warmer olive-gold. The devices are crisply defined and satiny in virtually all areas. The fields, on the other hand, are reflective, giving this piece a lovely prooflike appearance. A delightful Choice AU example with eye appeal as strong as that of many Mint examples of the type that we have offered over the years.The 1821 is the first date in the challenging Capped Head Left quarter eagle series of 1821 to 1834. Only 6,448 pieces were produced using a single pair of dies, and survivors are estimated at just 50 to 60 coins in all grades by John W. Dannreuther in the excellent 2006 reference Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834. The 1821 is elusive, more challenging to locate in todays market than the 1825, 1827, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832 and 1833. Indeed, this is one of very few 1821 quarter eagles that we can recall handling in recent years. It is a highlight of the Griggs Collection, and destined for inclusion in another important gold coin cabinet.From its introduction in 1796 through the commencement of the Classic Head series in 1834, the quarter eagle was produced in very small quantities, and often with considerable gaps in production. The 1821 is actually the first quarter eagle struck since 1808, and its motif is a modification of the Capped Bust Left design used in the earlier year. While the Capped Bust Left design is attributed to John Reich, the 1821 modification was likely by Robert Scot after Reich left the employ of the Mint in 1817. Dannreuther does point out, however, that the aging Scots eyesight was failing by that time, so it is possible that the Mint used an outside contractor to prepare the major punches for the design. Whoever did the work merely reduced the size of Libertys portrait on the obverse, changed the arrangement of the stars around the periphery on that side, and smoothed out certain elements of the reverse eagle (namely the lower wing feathers). The changes are significant enough, however, to constitute a distinct type, especially on Libertys portrait. For the advanced gold collector who requires an attractive, high grade example of the Capped Head Left motif, this lovely 1821 represents an important opportunity.
