1839 Quarter Eagle - 1839 $2.50 NGC MS60. This exceedingly rare, Mint State 1839 quarter eagle has significant luster remaining in protected areas on both sides of the coin. The coin is well struck with full details on about half of the stars, Libertys hair, and the reverse rims. The surfaces are original and clean for the grade with no individually distracting abrasion marks. The coin has nice eye-appeal because of the quality of its surfaces and remaining mint luster.

William Kneass designed the Classic Head quarter eagle, which was minted from 1834 to 1839. He chose to use Reichs Classic Head motif that was used on large cents of 1808 to 1814. Kneass also adapted Reichs eagle from the five dollar piece of 1807. The design of the coin shows a profile of Liberty facing left. Her curly hair is held with a band that is inscribed LIBERTY. She is surrounded by thirteen six-pointed stars, with the date below. Around the periphery are dentils on both sides. The coin has a reeded edge. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle whose head is turned to the left. In its talons it holds the olive branch and arrows, symbols peace and preparedness. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears in an interrupted arc around the coin with the denomination, written as 2 D. below.

Kneass (pronounced Niece) was the second Chief Engraver. He served from 1824 until his death in 1840. In addition to the Classic Head quarter eagle, his Classic Head motif was used on the half eagles of 1834 to 1838. Kneass modified Reichs Capped Bust motif for silver coinage for the years 1829 to 1837 and the half dime in 1829.

William Kneass was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a field engineer in the War of 1812 and helped fortify the city of Philadelphia. He was an engraver of plates for books and had his business on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. In addition to line engraving he also made intaglio prints. He worked in two firms, Kneass & Delaker and Young & Kneass & Co. At the Mint, Kneass was known as a popular and useful Engraver, who worked well and quickly to furnish all the dies that were needed for coinage during his time of office. He was remembered as, a warm gentleman of the old-school, who had the rare quality of engaging and winning the esteem and affection of children and youth. Kneass suffered a stroke in August, 1835. From then until his death, Assistant Engraver Christian Gobrecht did the pattern and die work at the Mint. He was succeeded by Gobrecht as Chief Engraver on December 21, 1840.

The 1839 quarter eagle is both underrated and difficult to obtain. Garrett and Guth in their Gold Encyclopedia consider it to be the sleeper rarity of the series. In its population report, NGC shows 2 in MS60 condition with 6 better. PCGS has 0 in MS60 with 5 better. These numbers do not account for crossovers or resubmissions.