Mintage: 11.9 million
Designer: Christian Gobrecht

In order for the $2˝ “quarter-eagle” to look the same as the $10 “eagle” that first appeared in 1838 and the $5 “half-eagle” that appeared in 1839, the ‘Liberty’ or ‘Coronet’ quarter-eagle design was introduced in 1840. 

In 1848, the military governor of California, Col. R. B. Mason, sent 230 ounces of gold to the Secretary of War, William L. Marcy, in Washington.  As this was some of the first gold from California to reach the eastern US, it was decided to commemorate the occasion.  Secretary Marcy sent the gold to the Mint with instructions to have the gold made into specially marked quarter-eagles.  In December 1848, 1,389 quarter-eagles were made with “CAL.” struck into the reverse after each coin was minted, as it lay on the coin die.

Types: This coin was unchanged throughout its life.

Mints: Minted in Philadelphia (1840-1907), Charlotte, NC, (1840-1860), Dahlonega, GA (1840-1859), New Orleans (1840-1857), San Francisco (1854-1879).

Specifications: Size: 18 millimeters; Alloy: 90% gold, 10% copper; Weight: 4.18 grams (3.762 grams or 0.121 troy oz. of pure gold).

U.S. Gold / Gold Content