帶帽的左四分之一鷹：直徑減少和有趣的歷史

左帽頭縮小直徑四分之一鷹金幣是美國造幣廠於 1829 年至 1834 年間鑄造的金幣，是一種稀有面額，發行量較低，從未超過 4,600 枚。威廉·尼斯 (William Kneass) 對羅伯特·斯科特 (Robert Scot) 原始設計的修改包括減少字母、星星和日期，同時保持正面和背面分別為自由女神和鷹的整體擬人化。 1829 年引入的領模提高了硬幣的均勻度並增加了邊緣的筘邊。儘管有較高的邊緣保護設計，但硬幣的高含金量導致硬幣被廣泛熔化以獲取利潤，特別是 1834 年發行的硬幣。商業罷工很少見，會帶來高額溢價，而證明的例子則極為罕見且昂貴。

Mintage Details of the Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle, Reduced Diameter

帶帽的左四分之一鷹鑄幣細節，直徑縮小

Introduction

介紹

The quarter eagle was an authorized gold coin denomination, but production was limited in the late 1820s and early 1830s. Mintage levels remained relatively constant for the Capped Head Left, Reduced Diameter type issued from 1829 to 1834, with the highest number of coins produced in any year being 4,600.

25 美分鷹是一種授權金幣面額，但在 1820 年代末和 1830 年代初產量有限。 1829 年至 1834 年間發行的左帽縮徑型硬幣的發行量保持相對穩定，任何年份的最高產量為 4,600 枚。

Challenging Conditions

具有挑戰性的條件

Gold coins were not widely circulated during this period. Those that were commanded a premium, as their gold content exceeded their face value. To conserve the nation's gold reserves, Congress suspended production of the $10 eagle in 1804, placing the responsibility of international exchange on the half eagle.

這段時期的金幣並沒有廣泛流通。那些被要求溢價的東西，因為它們的含金量超過了它們的面值。為了保存國家的黃金儲備，國會於 1804 年暫停了 10 美元鷹金幣的生產，將國際兌換的責任交給了半鷹金幣。

Engraver William Kneass's Enhancements

雕刻家 William Kneass 的增強功能

Upon the passing of Chief Engraver Robert Scot in 1823, William Kneass was hired to refine existing coin designs. While maintaining the essence of Scot's Capped Head Quarter Eagle design, Kneass made subtle adjustments, including reducing the size of letters, stars, and date punches.

1823 年，首席雕刻師羅伯特·斯科特 (Robert Scot) 去世後，威廉·克尼斯 (William Kneass) 受聘完善現有的硬幣設計。在保留 Scot's Capped Head Quarter Eagle 設計精髓的同時，Kneass 進行了微妙的調整，包括縮小字母、星星和日期打孔的大小。

Technological Advancement: The Collar Die

技術進步：衣領模具

The most significant change introduced by Kneass was technical in nature: the implementation of the collar die in 1828. This device not only inscribed reeding on the edge of the coin but also ensured uniformity in diameter by preventing excessive metal expansion during striking. The higher rim created by the collar die also protected the surface designs.

Kneass 引入的最重大的變化是技術性的：1828 年採用了領模。領模形成的較高邊緣也保護了表面設計。

Meltdown and Reduced Weight

熔毀和重量減輕

The high price of gold incentivized individuals to melt down coins for profit, particularly during the final year of issue (1834). To discourage this practice, Congress reduced the weight of the quarter eagle in 1834, ensuring that its bullion value remained below its face value. While most of the heavier-weight 1834 coins were melted after the new law took effect, some believe that surviving examples may be Proofs.

金價高漲刺激個人熔鑄硬幣以獲取利潤，特別是在發行的最後一年（1834 年）。為了阻止這種做法，國會於 1834 年減輕了四分之一鷹的重量，確保其金條價值低於其面值。雖然大部分較重的 1834 年硬幣在新法律生效後都被熔化，但有些人認為倖存的硬幣可能是精製幣。

Rarity and Value

稀有性和價值

Capped Head Left Quarter Eagles in business strike condition are scarce to rare, with population totals for any given year not exceeding 150 coins. Prooflike specimens have been certified for half of the dates. Select Uncirculated (MS62) and finer coins are highly valued. The classic 1834 rarity is exceptionally expensive, while Gem and finer coins of other dates command higher prices. Proofs, with no more than 10 known for any date, are very expensive to extremely expensive.

處於商業罷工狀態的頭頂左四分之一鷹非常罕見，任何一年的數量總數都不超過 150 個硬幣。樣樣樣本已獲得一半日期的認證。選擇未流通（MS62）和更精美的硬幣價值更高。經典的 1834 年稀有硬幣異常昂貴，而寶石和其他日期的更精美硬幣的價格更高。任何日期已知​​的證明都不超過 10 個，其成本非常昂貴甚至極其昂貴。

Specifications

規格

• Years Of Issue: 1829-34
• Business Strike Mintage: High: 4,540 (1830); Low: 3,403 (1829)
• Proof Mintage: High: 15 (1834); Low: 5 (1829 and 1830)
• Alloy: 91.67% gold, 8.33% copper
• Weight: ±4.37 g
• Diameter: ±18.20 mm
• Edge: Reeded

Design

發行年份：1829-34 年商業罷工發行量：高：4,540 (1830)；最低：3,403 (1829) 精製量：最高：15 (1834)；低：5（1829 和 1830）合金：91.67% 金，8.33% 銅重量：±4.37 克直徑：±18.20 毫米邊緣：簧片設計

Obverse:

反過來：

• Bust of Liberty facing left, head covered with a mobcap, curls of long hair draped over forehead, around ear, and down neck
• LIBERTY inscribed on ribbon banner at cap's base
• Thirteen six-pointed stars encircle portrait
• Date at bottom

Reverse:

自由女神半身像面朝左，頭上戴著一頂暴民帽，長捲髮披在前額、耳朵周圍和脖子上自由女神像刻在帽子底部的絲帶橫幅上十三顆六角星環繞著肖像底部日期反面：

• Left-facing eagle, wings outstretched, Union shield covering body
• Olive branch in right claw, three arrows in left claw
• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles inside rim, separated by eagle's wing tips
• Denomination 2 1/2 D. at bottom
• E PLURIBUS UNUM on banner above eagle
• No mintmark (all coins produced in Philadelphia)

Varieties

面額 2 1/2 D. 面額 2 1/2 D. 底部鷹上方橫幅上有 E PLURIBUS UNUM 沒有鑄幣標記（費城生產的所有硬幣）品種

Due to low mintages, only one obverse die and two reverse dies were known to have been used for all years. No varieties are known beyond date changes.

由於發行量較低，已知多年來僅使用了一枚正面模具和兩枚反面模具。除了日期變化之外，沒有任何品種是已知的。

References

參考

• Bowers, Q. David. The Experts Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins. Whitman Publishing.
• Breen, Walter. Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins. Doubleday.
• Dannreuther, John and Harry W. Bass, Jr. Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834. Whitman Publishing.
• Garrett, Jeff and Ron Guth. Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins, 1795-1933. Whitman Publishing.
• Guth, Ron and Jeff Garrett. United States Coinage: A Study by Type. Whitman Publishing.
• Taxay, Don. The U.S. Mint and Coinage. Arco Publishing.
• Yeoman, R.S. and Jeff Garrett (editor). The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins. Whitman Publishing.

鮑爾斯，Q.大衛。稀有硬幣收藏和投資專家指南。惠特曼出版社。沃爾特·布林的美國硬幣百科全書。 Doubleday.Dannreuther, John 和 Harry W. Bass, Jr.《美國早期金幣品種：模具狀態研究，1795-1834 年》。惠特曼出版社。美國金幣百科全書，1795-1933 年。惠特曼出版社。美國鑄幣：按類型研究。惠特曼出版社。美國造幣廠和造幣廠。 Arco Publishing.Yeoman, R.S.和傑夫·加勒特（編輯）。官方紅皮書：美國硬幣指南。惠特曼出版。