2 1/2 Dollars, Proof, United States, 1836

Object Details

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

1836

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

See more items in: Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection; Coins, Currency and Medals

National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-c24d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa