1883 $2.50 (1883 Proof Quarter Eagle) PCGS PF64 CAM CAC. Proof Quarter Eagle. This impressive proof 1883 Quarter Eagle has clean surfaces and an exceptionally sharp strike. Every minute detail stands out on this superbly struck coin. The grade of Proof 64 Cameo is confirmed by CAC, which also indicates that it is a premium quality piece. The heavily frosted devices contrast with mirrored fields which create the cameo effect.

Christian Gobrechts quarter eagle was produced without substantial modification from 1840 to 1907, the longest span in any United States coinage series. It uses the Coronet design which shows Liberty facing left, her hair tied tightly in beads, except for two curls one down the back of her neck and the other on the side below her ear, with LIBERTY inscribed on the coronet. She is surrounded by thirteen stars, and the date is below the truncation. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle facing left holding arrows and olive branch it its talons. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs around it, interrupted by the wing tips, and the denomination 2 D. is below. The denomination is separated from the legend with dots. The weight remained the same, but the diameter was reduced from the previous issue to 18 millimeters.

Christian Gobrecht was the third Chief Engraver at Mint in Philadelphia. He was born in Hanover, Pennsylvania in 1785. His father, a German immigrant was a reverend. His mother, Elizabeth Sands was a descendent of the early settlers of Plymouth Colony. In 1818 Gobrecht married Mary Hewes. After an apprenticeship, he became an engraver of clockworks in Baltimore. Later, in Philadelphia, he joined a banknote engraving firm where he had an excellent job. He invented a machine that enabled one to convert a three-dimensional medal into an illustration. Understandably, Gobrecht was reluctant to join the Mint staff. In order to persuade him to leave the engraving firm, Mint Director Patterson convinced Chief Engraver William Kneass, incapacitated by a stroke, to give up a significant part of his salary so more money would be available to hire the new employee. Gobrechts first work for the United States Mint was in 1826 when he made dies as an assistant to Kneass. When Kneass was unable to continue working because of the stroke, Gobrecht did all the die and pattern work. He was Chief Engraver from 1840 until his death in 1844.

With just 1,920 business strikes for the regular 1883 quarter eagle, the proofs are subjected to high date-collector pressure. The 82 proof coins made for this year was the highest proof production for the denomination in over two decades. However, researchers believe that much of the proof coinage was melted because it was not sold. While the proof issue of this date does not have the low mintage figures of previous years, it is rare especially compared to the twentieth century Liberty Head quarter eagle proofs. Approximately 40 to 50 proof 1883 quarter eagles are known today in all conditions. In its population report, PCGS has 2 in PF64 CA with 3 better. NGC has 5 with 8 better, and these numbers do not account for resubmissions and crossovers. CAC confirms 1, the present coin, with 3 better. Because of its scarcity, any increased interest in gold in general and in gold proof coinage will cause this piece to significantly increase in value.