The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States

Quarter Dollars of 1831

Total number of pieces coined 398,000. A marked change appears in the quarter dollar of this year, the diameter is considerably reduced with a consequent increase in thickness. The change of type, however, is only affected by the size of the devices, which are reduced to conform to the size of the coin, and the omission from the reverse of the scroll bearing the motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Six varieties are known.

No. 1

Obverse: Last 1 in date not under curl; lower left star most distant from bust, with upper right slightly nearer cap; lower right is near hair, two points equally distant.

Reverse: Small letters in legend; two berries on olive branch, the only reverse having them. The value, 25 C., small, and in field midway between eagle and border; 2 has a curved base; the eagle has no tongue.

Dies perfect in early impressions; reverse in later pieces is cracked in two places; at bottom, connecting 5, C, and the three arrowheads; at left from end of olive leaf up across eagle's wing, through bottom of UNITED, and through STATES from bottom of first S to top of E.

A scarce variety.

Emission sequence: B-1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 5, "B-7".

Designed by William Kneass, after Reich. Diameter 19/20" = 24.3 mm, reduced from the former 13/12" or 27.5 mm. Weight remains unchanged at 104 grains = 6.74 grams, through 1836. Mint Director Samuel Moore ordered Kneass to omit the motto; when the Treasury Department attempted to force its restoration, Moore traveled to Washington to justify his action, and he evidently convinced the authorities; the motto does not reappear until 1892, then only because Barber's reverse copies the Great Seal of the United States, on which it is prominent. Moore had believed it redundant, expressing no more than is conveyed in UNITED STATES: "One (nation assembled) out of many (states)."

Small date.
Curved base 2; two berries on branch.
Browning-1; Clapp-1; Duphorne-57; Breen-3915; Haseltine-1.
Rarity-2, high, possibly Rarity-3.
Die States: I. Perfect.
II. Cracked at left from end of olive leaf up across eagle's wing, through bottom of UNITED, and through STATES from bottom of first S to top of E.
III. Cracked at bottom, connecting 5, C, and the three wing arrowheads; this later extends through arrowheads to final A. WGC:98.
I have not seen the crack through the tops of UNITED claimed in WGC:99.

In Mint State the variety is fairly rare, though easily obtained in lower grades. Uncirculateds include, among others, J.H. South:479 (as "B-5") Reed Hawn:277; Cornell-Ogelthorpe:829;WGC:98, Neil:901; Leon Goodman:916; Norweb:1546.

Proofs: One in ANS (illustrated NEQ): two others reported, untraced.

Numerical Condition Census (RWM, Sr. [circa 1992]): 63, 63, 63, 60+, 60+, 60+. Many.

No. 2

Obverse: In the date, upright of last 1 on the right side, is even with extreme left of curl; lower left star most distant from bust as in [Browning] 1, but upper right is nearer cap, with lower right further from hair, two points equally distant.

Reverse: Small letters in legend. The value, 25 C., small and low, nearer border than eagle; base of 2 is flat; the eagle has no tongue.

Dies perfect in early impressions; reverse in later pieces is cracked in two places; at left, connecting tops of letters in UNITED and STATES; at right, connecting top of C and A in AMERICA and the three arrowheads.

These appears to be one of the most common varieties.

Small date. First star far from bust, eighth close to cap.
Flat base 2; low 25 C; eagle has faint thin tongue.
Browning-2; Clapp-2; Duphorne-58; Breen-3916; Haseltine-2.
Rarity-1.
Die States: I. Perfect. Ruby I:1154, others.
II. Reverse crack connects tops of letters in UNITED and STATES; at right, connecting top of C and A in AMERICA and the three arrowheads.
III. Crack becomes very heavy over TED ST; another appears through bases of 25 C.; Browning's second crack extends through RI. This may be the state alluded to in Bergen:64 as "2a." [Breen] did not know his variants with closed 3 or Lot 65 with large 8 and repunched eighth star.
Proofs include:
1. Boyd, WGC:101, Adolph Friedman, 1946 ANA:432.
2. Kern:1417.
3. David M. Bullowa, March 18, 1952.
4. "Dupont":1806. State II.
5. Morgenthau 3/18/40:360, Philadelphia estate.

At least two others seen.

The variety is easily obtained in all grades, for a price. Uncirculateds not necessarily in order of quality.

1. WGC:100. State II.
2. J.A. Stack Estate:34. Same as above?
3. J.H. South:477 as "B-4A."
4. Cass, "Empire":1028.
5. C. Jay:143, Speir Estate sale:23.
6. Miles:902, Speir Estate sale:24.
7. Reed Hawn:278.

Numerical Condition Census (RWM, Sr. [circa 1992]): 63, 63, 63, 60+, 60PL, 60PL.