Collection: Type 1, No Stars (Draped Bust $2.5)

Designed by: Robert Scot
Issue Date: 1796
Composition: 91.67% gold, 8.33% copper
Diameter: 20 mm
Weight: 4.37 grams (67.43 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 963 (estimated)
Proof Mintage: None

1796 $2.50 Capped Bust Right, No Stars – First U.S. Quarter Eagle | Rare One-Year Type | Only 963 Minted

The 1796 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle with ... Read More

Designed by: Robert Scot
Issue Date: 1796
Composition: 91.67% gold, 8.33% copper
Diameter: 20 mm
Weight: 4.37 grams (67.43 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 963 (estimated)
Proof Mintage: None

1796 $2.50 Capped Bust Right, No Stars – First U.S. Quarter Eagle | Rare One-Year Type | Only 963 Minted

The 1796 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle with No Stars marks a historic beginning to the U.S. $2.50 gold series and stands today as one of the most coveted early American gold rarities. This one-year type is unique in the entire U.S. gold coinage lineup, being the only quarter eagle struck without obverse stars—a design element that would appear on all subsequent issues.

Struck in limited quantity, the reported mintage was a mere 963 pieces, making it among the lowest production figures in U.S. coinage history. It is estimated that only 30 to 40 examples survive, though some experts suggest the true number may be closer to 20.

Design & Historic Significance

• Obverse: Features a portrait of Miss Liberty facing right, draped in a classical cap, with LIBERTY above and 1796 below. The fields are noticeably blank—no stars adorn the obverse, setting this issue apart from every other quarter eagle ever struck.

• Reverse: Depicts the Heraldic Eagle, based on the Great Seal of the United States. The eagle carries a shield on its breast, clutching arrows and an olive branch, with a scroll reading E PLURIBUS UNUM in its beak. A constellation of stars floats above within an arc of clouds, and the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICAencircles the design. No denomination is shown.

Rarity & Market Appeal

• The 1796 No Stars quarter eagle is a one-year subtype and is universally recognized as a key U.S. gold type coin.

• Most known survivors are found in Very Fine to Extremely Fine condition.

• A handful of AU or Mint State examples exist and are considered great American numismatic trophies, regularly drawing six-figure prices at auction.

• It is the only U.S. gold coin struck for circulation that omits stars on the obverse, further elevating its appeal among type collectors.

Collector Demand & Legacy

This elusive coin represents:

• The inaugural quarter eagle issue of the United States Mint.

• A cornerstone for any advanced type set or early gold cabinet.

• A rare opportunity for investors and collectors seeking exceptional pre-1800 U.S. gold.

Whether as a standalone centerpiece or as a foundational rarity in a specialized collection, the 1796 Capped Bust Right No Stars quarter eagle offers a combination of rarity, beauty, and historical significance unparalleled in U.S. numismatics.

At ParadimeCoins.com, we specialize in rare, investment-grade early U.S. gold, and can assist you in acquiring CAC-approved or PCGS/NGC-certified examples of elite rarities like the 1796 No Stars $2.50 Quarter Eagle.