1884 Proof Quarter Eagle Pattern - J-1734

Coin Details

Description

A copper striking of the 1884 Liberty Head quarter eagle, J-1734 preserves the two-and-a-half-dollar gold coin design on a base-metal planchet. The quarter eagle was the smallest regular-issue gold denomination in American coinage, its petite 18-millimeter diameter making it one of the most diminutive coins in the federal series. The Liberty Head design with coronet — introduced in 1840 and maintained through 1907 — gave the quarter eagle a dignified appearance despite its small size. Copper quarter eagle patterns from the 1880s are among the scarcest entries in the Judd catalog, as the denomination's small size and limited production volumes meant fewer die trials were needed compared to the higher-volume silver denominations. The 1884 copper quarter eagle exists as part of the year's comprehensive denomination survey, demonstrating that Chief Engraver Barber produced trial impressions across the entire range of active denominations. The quarter eagle would be the first gold denomination to receive a dramatically new design when Bela Lyon Pratt's incuse Indian Head design replaced the Liberty Head in 1908.

Rarity Notes

R-7 to R-8 (Extremely Rare). Approximately 3-5 examples estimated. Copper quarter eagle patterns from any year are consistently rare.

Cross References

Judd J-1734, Pollock P-1945