1831 Quarter Eagle Pattern - J-49, Struck on 10C Planchet

Coin Details

Auction Record

$28,800 VF Details 08-31-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Judd-49 is an 1831 Capped Head Left quarter eagle struck on a silver dime planchet, one of the most debated pieces in early American numismatics. The obverse features the Capped Head Left portrait of Liberty with a soft cap, surrounded by stars and the date 1831. The reverse displays the motto-less eagle design standard for quarter eagles of this period. The coin is dramatically undersized and underweight compared to a normal quarter eagle, having been struck on a planchet intended for a dime rather than the proper gold planchet. Modern scholarship is divided on whether this represents a deliberate pattern or an accidental mint error. The significant wear on two of the three known survivors indicates these coins circulated, passing as dimes, which favors the error interpretation. However, the piece has been traditionally cataloged as a pattern since its inclusion in the Judd reference.

Rarity Notes

R.8. Only 3 examples confirmed.

Cross References

Pollock-50