1826/1
Quarter Eagle - The 1826
quarter eagle is the rarest date in the series
with an original mintage of only 760 coins. It is estimated
that 30 to 35 survive today in all grades. Evidently an 1825
die was changed to be used in 1826. According to Breen, a
microscopic corner of a 5 appears at the upper left of the
6 in the date; however, its overdate status is in dispute.
The “Red Book” lists the coin as a 1826/5. Other
researchers concur with the “Red Book’s”
listing. The 1826
quarter eagle is one of the better struck dates
of the series.
Possibly two or three proof
coins of this date exist. One is in the Smithsonian Institution’s
collection. No others have been reported since 1959, and researchers
have questioned the early reports of proofs as most likely
being mint state strikes.
