1907 $2 1/2 Liberty NGC MS66 CAC

This variation presents a more feminine depiction of Miss Liberty, facing to the left, donning a coronet featuring the raised inscription LIBERTY. Her hair is elegantly styled in a bun, accentuated by a string of pearls, with the date positioned below her and encircled by 13 stars. The design, characterized by its simplicity, exudes a remarkably pleasing aesthetic. Meanwhile, the reverse design retains the essence of the pattern in use since 1808. While the dimensions of the letters and numerals differ slightly, the core elements remain consistent. Similar to its predecessor, the Classic Head Type omits the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.
The Classic Head Type emerged as an interim solution to reintroduce gold coins into circulation. It proved immensely successful, yet was never conceived as a permanent design. The Mint sought a representation of Liberty that befitted a thriving and prosperous nation, and a mere reiteration of the 1808 Large Cent design wouldn't suffice. Christian Gobrecht introduced a novel design for the gold eagle in 1838, which garnered widespread approval and subsequently made its way to the half eagle in 1839 and the quarter eagle in 1840. This design was deemed timeless and served to unify the appearances of all three circulating gold coin denominations.
Distinguishing itself, the Liberty Head Quarter Eagle holds the distinction of being the lengthiest enduring coin Type with minimal alterations in its design throughout American numismatic history—spanning an impressive 68 years. Unlike its counterparts, the half eagles and eagles, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was never integrated onto the quarter eagle. Within this extensive timeframe, collectors can uncover several major rarities that pique their interest. Especially sought after are the pre-Civil War pieces with low mintages from the southern Mints, Charlotte and Dahlonega. Other significant rarities emerge from Philadelphia, minted between 1863 and 1877, with 1873 being an exception due to abnormally large mintages. Notably, the 1848 CAL issue holds a place of prominence. In that year, the Military Governor of California forwarded 230 ounces of California gold to the Mint, resulting in the production of 1,389 quarter eagles imprinted with CAL just above the eagle's head. This issue is considered by numismatists as America's inaugural commemorative coin, and all 1848 CAL Quarter Eagles are eagerly sought after, though they command substantial prices.
Given the extensive array of variations, the Type is often collected as a comprehensive representation. Many enthusiasts opt to assemble sets encompassing coins originating from the five Mints that participated in producing this coin: Philadelphia, New Orleans, Charlotte, Dahlonega, and San Francisco.