The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States

Introduction

By. Ard W. Browning

(Original edition, 1925)

In preparing a new classification of the Early Quarter Dollars of the United States valuable information was derived from the Haseltine Type Table concerning the varieties if these coins. The Haseltine Type Table appeared in 1881 and is the only catalogue describing varieties of this denomination ever published; beginning with the first year of coinage 1796, and closing with the Bust Type of 1838, Mr. Haseltine describes sixty-three varieties, all of which have been found.

The present catalogue, which is intended as a standard of reference for both collectors and dealers, contains several features not included in the above mentioned work. Eight Photographic Plates show ninety varieties, eighty-eight from different dies, two, which are imperfect impressions, from obverse dies. The varieties are arranged in order of date, with like obverse grouped, and like reverses grouped where possible, preference being given to the obverses. The coins were originally photographed on seven Plates, but a few recently discovered varieties made an eighth Plate necessary.

In the descriptive matter mention is made first of any distinguishes feature a variety may have followed by the conditions of the dies, due to cracks, or a weakness, and whether found perfect. This information is necessarily limited to the coins examined and the conditions noted. The varieties in which specimen coins or proofs were made are mentioned; also the degree of rarity of the different varieties when known.

The number of pieces coined during the year is also included. The coinage of the Quarter Dollar during the early years was very small compared with that of the Half Dollar. On a separate page is shown a comparison of the number of these two pieces made during the same period of time.

The coins shown on the Plates are from the writer's collection, except a few pieces, which could not be secured. In this connection the writer is indebted to the kindness and generosity of Mr. C.J. Detwiller who volunteered to place the coins needed in the collection to be photographed, thus enabling the Plates to show every the various dealers and collectors who have offered suggestions which have been of valuable assistance in making a new classification of these coins.