2 1/2 Dollars, Proof, United States, 1840

Description:

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left, with coronet; stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination (2 ½ D.). The quarter eagle carried the William Kneass designs a year longer than the half, but in 1840 a new Liberty head made its debut, another of Christian Gobrecht's concepts. It was tidy and serviceable, and it held the stage for nearly seventy years. A few proofs are also known from this first year of coining. This is one of three proofs that have been documented.

Date Made: 1840

Mint: U.S. Mint, PhiladelphiaDesigner: Gobrecht, Christian

Location: Currently not on view

Place Of Issue: United States

See more items in: Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection, Coins, Currency and Medals

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Web Publication: http://americanhistory.si.edu/coins/glossary.cfm

Related Publication: Glossary of Coins and Currency Terms

Credit Line: U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Mint

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1985.0441.0312Catalog Number: 1985.0441.0312Accession Number: 1985.0441

Object Name: coin

Physical Description: gold (overall metal)0 (overall die axis)0 (overall die axis measurement)struck (overall production method)Measurements: overall: 18 mm; 23/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-1617-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1077812

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.