The Classic Head $2.50 introduced William Kneass's compact Liberty after Congress reduced U.S. gold coin weight in 1834.

This guide covers 1834–1839 Classic Head quarter eagles from Philadelphia and the newly operating Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans branches.

Core specifications

Issue period
1834–1839
Catalog mints
4
Reported catalog mintage
968,228
Composition
90% Gold - 10% Silver and Copper
Diameter
18.2 mm
Weight
4.18 g

A monetary reform makes gold circulate again

The 1834 law reduced the gold content of federal coins so their bullion value no longer drove them from circulation.

Kneass's motto-free reverse and the arrival of southern branch mints make the six-year series a concise map of the new standard.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty faces left wearing a headband marked LIBERTY, with stars around and the date below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A naturalistic eagle with shield fills the reverse; the absence of E PLURIBUS UNUM is the defining type feature.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839; 910,753. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.
  • C — C: 1838, 1839; 26,020. Confirm the C mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
  • O — New Orleans: 1839; 17,781. Confirm the O mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
  • D — Denver: 1839; 13,674. Confirm the D mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.

Representative issues that explain the series

Philadelphia issues provide an accessible type coin, while C, D, and O mint marks turn the set into a branch-mint study.

  • 1834 P — 112,234. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1836 P - Script 8 — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1838 C — 7,880. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1839 C — 18,140. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1839 D — 13,674. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1839 O — 17,781. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1834 P Classic Head $2.51835 P Classic Head $2.51836 P Classic Head $2.5 - All Varieties1836 P Classic Head $2.5 - Script 81836 P Classic Head $2.5 - Block 81837 P Classic Head $2.51838 P Classic Head $2.51838 C Classic Head $2.51839 P Classic Head $2.51839 C Classic Head $2.51839 D Classic Head $2.51839 O Classic Head $2.5

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 12 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Legislation to Regulate Gold Coins, June 28, 1834 — United States Mint
  2. Gold Eagle Coins and Their History — United States Mint
  3. Classic Head $2.5 category reference — PCGS CoinFacts