1895 $2.50 (1895 Quarter Eagle) NGC PF64 UCAM CAC. Proof Quarter Eagle. Both full details and sharp cameo contrast characterize this rare, proof 1895 Quarter Eagle. But for a few hairlines, the coin would have received a gem grade. The Proof 64 Ultra Cameo designation is confirmed by CAC, which indicates that the coin meets stringent standards within the grade and is a premium quality coin. The Ultra Cameo description means that the mirrored fields are deep and in extreme contrast to the coins devices. Because the strike is full, every detail of both sides is clearly visible.

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.

The coinage act of 1865 specified that motto IN GOD WE TRUST should be added to all coins large enough to accommodate it. The Mint interpreted this law to mean that the motto had to be added to silver coins larger than the dime and gold half eagles, eagles and double eagles. Because of its size, the quarter eagle was exempt.

Beginning in 1859 a modified reverse design was used on business strike and proof Philadelphia coins. It had smaller letters and arrowheads. Some pieces in 1859, 60, and 61 were struck with the old design after the change was made.

In 1826 Gobrecht did his first work for the Mint as an assistant to William Kneass. After Kneass suffered a debilitating stroke, Gobrecht did all the die and pattern work for the Mint. He became Chief Engraver in 1840 and served until his death in 1844. He was famous for his Liberty Seated motif which was used for all denominations of sliver coinage including the half dime, dime, quarter dollar, half dollar and sliver dollar. He also designed the Liberty Head gold eagle, a motif that was also used on the half-cent, the cent, the gold quarter eagle, and the gold half eagle.

The 1895 proof quarter eagle had an original mintage of 119 pieces. It is rare in all conditions. In its population report, NGC has 5 in PF64 UCAM with 28 better. At CAC, as of December, 2011, there are 2 with 6 better.