1914 $2 1/2 Indian PCGS MS64 CAC

The quarter eagle made its debut in 1796. Of the 10 denominations authorized by Congress in 1792, the quarter eagle was the last to be minted, and then only in very small numbers until the Classic Head was created. This has resulted in all early quarter eagles being rarities (“early” being defined as coins minted before 1834). All early gold coins were minted in Philadelphia. Not until the Classic Head of 1839 was one struck at a branch Mint. When introduced, the quarter eagle has the distinction of being the first precious-metal American coin lacking stars on its obverse. All other precious-metal coins authorized in 1792 were first minted with 15 stars arrayed along the obverse rim. The Mint soon decided to standardize the number of stars obverse at 13 as an honor to the original Colonies.

This design features a Native American Indian facing left wearing a feathered headdress. The date is at bottom, LIBERTY is at the top, six stars are along the left edge, and seven stars line the right edge. The reverse depicts an eagle at rest standing on a bundle of arrows with an olive branch wrapping around them. To the left of the eagle is E PLURIBUS UNUM and to its right is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The denomination is at the bottom. Along the edge UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs across the top half of the coin.