1819 Early Quarter - 1819 Early 25c, Small 9, Browning-3, PCGS XF45 CAC. This Capped Bust 1819 Small 9 quarter has lovely, pale salmon patina with shades of lilac and silver-gray. While the coin is slightly circulated, the surfaces are amazing. They are original and almost completely free of abrasions and other distractions. The strike of this eye-appealing piece is also outstanding. The centers on both sides are strong. Full details are present on the centers of the stars, Libertys hair and broach clasp, the eagles neck, its wings, and the letters of the legends. The CAC sticker confirms the grade and also indicates that this eye-appealing piece fully deserves the grade assigned. (The scuff mark on the lower reverse is on the holder not the coin.)

The coin is the Small 9 variety, Browning-3. It has a colon after the C in the denomination, the numerals of which are clearly doubled especially the 5.

The 1819 quarter was designed by John Reich. It is similar to his Capped Bust half dollar. The quarter shows a plump, capped head of Liberty in profile facing left. She wears a LIBERTY inscribed headband. Seven six-pointed stars are to the left and six are to the right with the date below. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle looking left with wings raised. Above the eagle, on a banner, is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The required inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the coin, and the denomination written as 25 C. is below.

John Reich, a skilled engraver, was born in Bavaria and came to the United States around 1800. In order to finance his passage, he sold himself into servitude. President Thomas Jefferson recommended that Reich be hired as an engraver at the Mint in 1801. When he was serving in Washingtons Cabinet, Jefferson was in charge of the Mint as Secretary of State. While in France, Jefferson developed a working knowledge of the minting process. Reich was hired for other duties, but he eventually became an engraver. He had a superb eye for the complicated aesthetics of coin engraving. At this time his freedom was purchased by an unknown mint official. Although Chief Engraver Robert Scot designed most of the coins at the mint since 1794, it was said that Reich had much more talent and ability than Scot.

In its population report, PCGS shows 11 1819 quarters in XF 45 condition with 44 better; however, only 1 Browning-3 graded higher than the present piece. At CAC as of June 2012, there are 3 Small 9s confirmed in XF45 with 3 better.