1796 Draped Bust Quarter. B-2. Rarity-3. EF Details--Repaired (NGC).Boldly to sharply defined from a well centered strike, this more affordable EF is sure to appeal to many type collectors in todays highly competitive numismatic market. Evidence for the NGC qualifier is most noticeable over the right third of the obverse, where tooling is noted in the field and Libertys profile has been re-engraved. Both sides are glossy in texture from a cleaning and have since been retoned in steely-charcoal patina. One of 6,146 examples of the date struck in the first year of the denomination, and the only year of the Draped Bust, Small Eagle design type; no quarter dollars were forthcoming from the Mint again until 1804, in which year the Large Eagle reverse was used to conform to the other circulating silver coins of the era. Eagerly sought at all levels of preservation since, after all, a type set of U.S. coinage is not complete without a 1796 Draped Bust, Small Eagle quarter.
