1804 QUARTER DOLLAR

PCGS No: 5312

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 6,738
Proofs: 0

Diameter: ±27.5 millimeters

Metal content:
Silver - 89%
Copper - 11%

Weight: ±104 grains (±6.74 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (all dates of this type were struck at Philadelphia)

The following is reprinted with permission from “The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States 1796-1838” by A.W. Browning, completely updated by Walter Breen, copyright 1992 by Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc.:

The second year of coinage.  Total number of pieces coined 6,738.

The obverse is of the type of 1796, but the number of stars is reduced to thirteen, seven at left and six at right of the bust.

The reverse shows an entire change; an eagle with raised wings, bearing the United States shield upon its breast.  From its beak floats a scroll inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM.  In the right talon it grasps a bundle of thirteen arrows, and in the left an olive branch.  Legend: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  Above the eagle are clouds and thirteen stars, and below, the value, 25 C.

Two varieties are known.

Dies by Robert Scot; obverse after Gilbert Stuart as preceding, reverse after the Great Seal of the United States, but with arrows and olive branch transposed (as on all other silver and gold denominations through 1807), in error or militaristic braggadocio.

Images courtesy of Hanks and Associates

Varieties (2):
Browning 1 - Very Scarce
Browning 2 - Very Rare

Significant examples:
PCGS MS-63 (illustrated above).  Offered in October 2000 by Hanks and Associates for $75,000.00

Ex - David Akers Numismatic, Inc.'s sale of the John Jay Pittman collection (illustrated below)

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-61.  Ex - Superior Galleries' "The ANA 2001 National Money Show Auction", March 8-9, 2001, Lot 238, "Browning-1, Rarity-3, possibly even Rarity-4", sold for $24,150.00

Choice About Uncirculated. Ex - Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October 17-19, 2000, Lot 675, "Breen 1", plated, sold for $12,075.00

NGC Good-4.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1616, "Browning-1, Rarity-4", illustrated, sold for $1,322.00

AG-3.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Long Beach Signature Sale", May 31-June 2, 2001, Lot 5560, "B-1", not illustrated, sold for $920.00