This is a beautiful Mint State example of the extremely popular first-year 1834 Classic Head quarter eagle. Blended deep olive and rich orange-gold patina on both sides is enhanced by a sharp to full strike in virtually all areas. Vibrantly lustrous with a semi-prooflike finish, this piece would make a lovely addition to a high quality type or date set.The Classic Head quarter eagle made its debut in the aftermath of a weight reduction for the denomination as mandated by the Act of June 28, 1834. Designed by William Kneass, this portrait of Liberty is radically different than any previously used on coins of this denomination. Gone is the soft cap, Libertys head now displays tight curls held in place with a headband inscribed LIBERTY. The entire portrait is smaller with sharper lines, while on the reverse the ribbon upon which E PLURIBUS UNUM had been inscribed is now absent to allow the eagle to stand alone as the central device. The Classic Head series would see the largest yearly mintages of quarter eagles since the denominations debut in 1796, as well as the first mintmarked issues with deliveries from Charlotte, North Carolina; Dahlonega, Georgia, and New Orleans, Louisiana. At 112,234 pieces produced, the mintage of the 1834 Classic Head dwarfs that of all previous quarter eagles, and it vies with the 1836 as the most frequently encountered of this type. Given the popularity of first-year issues among type collectors, the lovely Mint State example offered here as part of the Griggs Collection is certain to be a strong performer in the present sale.
