Object Details
mint
U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
designer
Kneass, William
Description (Brief)
One (1) 2 1/2 dollar coin, proof
United States, 1836
Obverse Image: Left-facing Liberty wearing a headband, 13 stars along coin edge.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1836
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / 2 1/2 D.
Description
Four proof coins including this coin are known for this date of 1836 and this denomination of quarter eagle.
Until the later discoveries of gold west of the Mississippi River, the U.S. had little gold for making coins. A gold strike in Rutherford, North Carolina provided some new gold. Soon, the U.S. Mint established branch mints in Dahlonega, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina to mint gold coins close to the discoveries in those areas. In addition, a branch mint in New Orleans was established convert foreign coins that arrived at this very busy port into U.S. coins. Other sources for gold included French coins that recently arrived as an indemnity payment as well as melting down old American coins and re-issuing the precious metal as new U.S. coins.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Mint
Date made
1836
ID Number
1985.0441.0276
catalog number
1985.0441.0276
accession number
1985.0441
Object Name
coin
Physical Description
gold (overall metal)
0 (overall die axis)
0 (overall die axis measurement)
struck (overall production method)
Measurements
overall: 18.5 mm; 23/32 in
place of issue
United States
Related Publication
Glossary of Coins and Currency Terms
Related Web Publication
http://americanhistory.si.edu/coins/glossary.cfm
See more items in
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
Coins, Currency and Medals
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1077516