U.S. COIN REFERENCE · Draped Bust quarter
Draped Bust quarters: the single-year eagle and the return in 1804
The 1796 reverse belongs to a distinct type, followed by a long production gap.
By SalarsNet · Reviewed October 5, 2026
Two types across separated years
The 1796 quarter has a small eagle reverse. Coinage resumes in 1804 with a heraldic eagle and 25C, continuing through 1807. There are no intervening dated issues to fill the gap. Identify the reverse before using the family’s date span.
Type references: PCGS Draped Bust Quarter ↗
Expect the strike to vary
Inspect Liberty’s hair, stars, eagle head, shield, and borders in a complete photograph. Weak eagle detail occurs even on coins with substantial remaining surface evidence. Use more than one area before estimating wear, and keep adjustment marks and later scratches as separate observations.
Type references: PCGS Draped Bust Quarter ↗
Choose the correct type market
The 1796 is a key first-year type, and 1804 is difficult within the later group. A 179x-looking date should remain unresolved until legible and authenticated. For an 1805–1807 type coin, compare that actual issue and surfaces rather than a 1796 sale.
Type references: PCGS Draped Bust Quarter ↗
Selected reviewed issue records
These catalog standards describe the named issue, not a measured specimen. The selected records below do not cover every date, mint, strike, or die variety. Reported production is labeled separately from established mintage. Unknown standards and mintage remain visible; survival estimates and certified populations are separate research questions.
No issue-level specification or mintage records are published for this category yet. Verify the exact date, mint, strike, metal, and subtype in its reference before using a numerical standard.
References and review
Reference reviewed October 5, 2026. Historical facts and catalog standards need to match the exact issue; price comparisons should be researched at the time of valuation.