The draped bust quarter | basic info The US draped bust quarter is one of the most classic pieces in US coinage. Struck in .8924 silver from the years 1796 to 1807, these quarters came in two major varieties; the small eagle (1796 only) and the large eagle (1804-1807). With a very small total  mintage of 561,045 (The US produced 1,390,114,000 quarters in 2018 alone)  the draped bust quarter has maintained its place as a heavily sought after yet beautiful design.  The design is generally accepted to be done by Robert Scot.The draped bust quarter consists of an obverse design featuring lady Liberty, with her hair flowing over her shoulder. In the 1796 type there are 15 stars present, while on the 1804-1807 types there are only 13 stars, as the coin was redesigned to only include the original thirteen states. On the reverse of the type 1 there is a rather skinny looking eagle standing on clouds surrounded by a wreath. Both versions have the wording "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on the reverse, however on the type two (1804-1807) the eagle is much bulkier and has a union shield for a body. It is carrying eight arrows in one claw and an olive branch in the other, much like its modern counterpart minted from 1932-1999. Above the large eagle resides thirteen stars contained by a row of clouds. Under the eagle is a large "25 C."With that said, they tend to sell for a demanding price, even in lower grades. Not many draped bust quarters survived in higher grades. They were minted in a period of economic and political trouble in a young, bucolic United States. The fact that most collectors of the time preferred coins of ancient Rome and Greece didn't care much for "modern" coinage did not help at all either. Mostly in specific hoards and collections , like the Pogue collection, did these coins survive in uncirculated grades. For the 1796 variety, PCGS estimates that only 10% survived circulation, and that only a handful of their 6,146 mintage still exists in original proof like condition, which will usually cost the same as a decent house.My one and only draped bust quarter (pictured) is an 1805 Browning-4 with F details (holed). While it does have a hole I was able to acquire it for a low price, especially for the detail that is on the coin; and today it remains one of my most cherished coins. The draped bust quarter is a truly remarkable coin not only for its rarity but also for its beautiful design and overall eye appeal in any condition.