1840 Quarter Die Trial - J-A1840-7

Coin Details

Description

This white metal die trial bears the date 1840 but was produced as a restrike, created sometime after the original dies were first used. The obverse features the Seated Liberty design that Christian Gobrecht adapted from the dollar denomination for smaller coinage — Liberty is seated on a rock, holding a liberty cap on a pole with her right hand and resting her left hand on a shield inscribed "LIBERTY." Thirteen stars encircle the design with the date 1840 below. The reverse displays the denomination "QUAR. DOL." within an open wreath, surrounded by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." The Seated Liberty quarter design was introduced in 1838 and would continue in production with modifications through 1891, making it one of the longest-running designs in American coinage history. White metal die trials from this period served dual purposes: they tested the condition of dies and also satisfied the growing collector demand for numismatic curiosities. The 1840 date places this die trial early in the Seated Liberty quarter series, during a period when the Mint was still refining the design details and production techniques for this denomination.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Seated Liberty quarter die trials in white metal are seldom encountered, with most dates represented by only one or two known specimens.

Cross References

Judd-A1840-7