Small eagles are special
Type collectors know that the hardest-to-find type is the small eagle type, used on silver coins from 1795-98. Half dimes, dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars used this motif. The eagle is shown sitting on a cloud, holding its head high, surrounded by a wreath.
When the Photograde guide was published in 1970, the author mentioned that the most difficult type to find for the photos was the small eagle half dime. These tiny coins saw much circulation and abuse, too. Many are found nicked or bent. Small eagle half dimes were minted in 1796 and 1797.
Small eagle dimes were minted the same years, Like the half dimes, values are in four figures, even for worn specimens.
The first quarters were minted in 1796, bearing the small eagle. This is a one-year type coin, in high demand. A surprising number survive in high grades, perhaps because it was a first-year coin. These are famous for having the eagle's head weakly struck. I've seen near Mint State coins with the eagle's head barely visible.
Type collectors are often stopped from building a complete type set by the small eagle half dollar, struck only two years, Even worn coins fetch $20,000 or more, when they become available.
Small eagle silver dollars were minted from 1795-1798. Prices are not too panful, at least for early coins with a scarce design type. Collectors who can have only one small eagle coin may want the dollar. These coins are big, beautiful, and historical.
Collectors and historians have to love the small eagle coins.
Comments
user_7180
Level 5
Interesting topic and hard to collect let alone find one.
Conan Barbarian
Level 5
never heard of that variety sounds like an interesting variety to see
user_9073
Level 5
You are right about the expensive type coins. I completed the Danco 707 Major Type Set and stop for budget reasons. But at the next ANA show I went to the Stack's auction and examine and held the coins types I would never own. I recorded the lot number and got the hammer price after the auction. I also saved the photo from the on-line catalog. I put all this together and I think of that as "My Type Set."
Mike
Level 7
The small eagles are special. And very hard to take photos of. I like the small half dimes. I have two and I think that's great. My book is inside so I dont have the grade. But to put a type set together is very hard. Thanks for that important info on n some great coins. My dimes were made years later but so small you have to like them. Mike