1796 Draped Bust Quarter

AI-generated illustration — not a photograph of a genuine coin.

The first U.S. quarter: 6,146 struck, 15 stars, Small Eagle — a one-year type and a key in any grade (PCGS).

History

Authorized by the Mint Act of April 2, 1792 but not issued until four years later, the Draped Bust, Small Eagle quarter was the denomination’s premiere and the only 18th-century U.S. quarter. (CoinWorld; PCGS, accessed 2026-09-16)
Only 6,146 pieces were produced; quarter production then paused for eight years until 1804, when the reverse changed to the Heraldic Eagle. (CoinWorld; Heritage, accessed 2026-09-16)
The obverse shows Liberty with 15 stars — eight to the left and seven to the right; the reverse shows the small eagle perched on a cloud within an open wreath, with no denomination stated. (PCGS, accessed 2026-09-16)
Engraved by Robert Scot; his temporary assistant John Eckstein is credited with the Small Eagle reverse design. (CoinWorld, accessed 2026-09-16)
Two obverse dies and a single reverse die were produced; both obverses carry 15 stars even on coins struck after Tennessee’s June 1, 1796 admission as the 16th state. Collectors know them as Browning-1 ‘Low 6’ and Browning-2 ‘High 6.’ (CoinWorld; Heritage, accessed 2026-09-16)

One-year type required for a complete U.S. type set; a key issue in any grade (PCGS).
B-2 ‘High 6’ is the more common of the two die marriages (Heritage).
About 10% of the original mintage survives in some grade, mostly About Good to Fine (PCGS).

KEY DIAGNOSTIC MARKERS: exactly 15 stars (8 left, 7 right of Liberty); small eagle on a cloud inside an open wreath — the reverse carries NO denomination; date below Liberty; B-1 ‘Low 6’ versus B-2 ‘High 6’ by the position of the 6 relative to the bust.
Value factors: grade above all — most survivors are AG to Fine, VF to AU examples trade at mid five figures, and uncirculated pieces run over $100K (PCGS); the eagle’s head is nearly always softly struck, so well-defined examples command more.