1898 $2.50 (1898 Proof Quarter Eagle) NGC PF61+, CAC. NGC Plus. With an original mintage of 165, the 1898 Proof Quarter Eagle is rare in all grades. This specimen is grade Proof 61+, which indicates that NGC believes that the coin is in the top of the grade range. The CAC designation confirms that view and indicates that the coin is of premium quality. The strike, as expected for a proof coin, is full and sharp on both sides. The satiny devices contrast somewhat to produce a light cameo effect, which, combined with the lovely color, gives this coin its tremendous eye appeal.

Coinage designs of this time were fairly stagnant and stereotyped. In recognition of these problems, in 1891 the Treasury sponsored a public competition to improve them. Unfortunately Charles Barber, the Engraver, tossed out every entry because he could not face any competition. When he was forced to redesign the coins himself, he simply reversed Morgans Liberty head. His other contributions were minor modifications here and there.

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.

In its population report as of April 2011, CAC has only this coin confirmed in PF61 with 2 better. NGC shows only this coin with 1 better.