Quarter Eagle Has a Flock of Admirers
Question: I have a United States gold $2 1/2 coin dated 1926. It appears to be in excellent condition, with an Indian on one side and an eagle on the other. I would appreciate knowing its value.--S.K.
Answer: United States gold coins traditionally are called eagles by collectors. The $20 piece is a double eagle, the $10 is an eagle, the $5 a half eagle and the $2 1/2 a quarter eagle. Quarter eagles are interesting because of the odd denomination and also because they’ve had a long numismatic run--from 1796 to 1929. A hobbyist could easily spend a lifetime pursuing this interesting piece. Early dates are especially elusive and expensive.
It is believed that the reason for the $2 1/2 gold piece was to have a denomination between the silver dollar and the $5 half eagle. Because of its longevity, the quarter eagle has undergone many design changes, everything from the capped bust to the capped head to the classic head to the coronet type to the Indian head design. There are also many varieties and mints represented in this series.
Your 1926 $2 1/2 is an Indian head type that was produced intermittently from 1908 to 1929, the last year of issue. There were 446,000 quarter eagles minted in 1926 and unless your coin is a gem or a high-grade uncirculated piece, it’s probably worth about $150 to $300.
Coin News
The third coin (pictured) in a series that began in 1987 commemorating Pope John Paul II is being issued by the Warsaw Mint. The new Polish piece, dated 1989, features intricate beveled edges and, when the design catches light, the reflection of a Christian cross as a background for the Pope’s image. Mintages are expected to be low: a four-coin silver proof set (1,500 sets), 12-ounce proof gold (300 pieces), and for the first time a proof platinum coin (1,000 pieces). The distributor is National Coin Investments, 233 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 310, Santa Monica, Calif. 90401; telephone (213) 458-4588.
Numerous American rarities, ranging from colonials to commemoratives are featured in the Brooks Collection auction sale June 11 and 12 in New York. Catalogues are $15 from Bowers & Merena, Box 1224, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894; telephone (800) 222-5993.
More than 2,800 items are offered in the catalogue for the June 13-15 auction titled United States Gold, Silver & Copper Coins; Paper Money (Formed by a Southern Gentleman) to be held in New York. Catalogues are available from Stack’s, 123 W. 57th St., New York, N.Y. 10019; telephone (212) 582-2580.
Coin Calendar
Today--Almost 400 ancient coins will be auctioned in two sessions today, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The sale is being conducted by Numismatic Fine Arts, 10100 Santa Monica Blvd.; telephone (213) 278-1535.
Today, Friday, Saturday and Sunday--More than 475 dealers will participate in the gigantic 11th annual Long Beach Numismatic and Philatelic Spring Exposition. Highlights include a three-session sale by Pacific Coast Auction Galleries, a China Mint booth plus forums and meetings including a Western regional session by the American Israel Numismatic Assn. Sunday at 1 p.m. Contact Mel Wacks at (818) 884-1348 for particulars. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Long Beach Convention Center.