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Indian Quarter Eagles (1908-1929)
INDIAN QUARTER EAGLE
From 1908 to 1929 the Indian quarter eagles were struck. Dr. William Sturgis
Bigelow, a friend of Theodore Roosevelt, proposed a coinage of intaglio or
recessed design. The idea received a favorable reception, for Roosevelt believed
that American coinage was very unattractive in comparison to pieces of antiquity.
Bigelow engaged Bela Lyon Pratt, a well-known Boston sculptor, to prepare models
in the early part of 1908.
Toward the end of the year 1908, quarter eagles and half eagles of the Pratt design
reached circulation.
In 1929, quarter eagle coinage was suspended. During the coinage period 1908 to
1929 production was divided into two spans, 1908-1915 and the second continuous
coinage 1925-1929. Coins of the last several years did not circulate actively but
remained in Treasury vaults. Most were melted during the 1930s. It is a curious fact
that in the late 1920s, when quarter eagles were still being minted, they traded at a
slight premium over face value, and were not readily available from banks at par.
Bigelow, a friend of Theodore Roosevelt, proposed a coinage of intaglio or
recessed design. The idea received a favorable reception, for Roosevelt believed
that American coinage was very unattractive in comparison to pieces of antiquity.
Bigelow engaged Bela Lyon Pratt, a well-known Boston sculptor, to prepare models
in the early part of 1908.
Toward the end of the year 1908, quarter eagles and half eagles of the Pratt design
reached circulation.
In 1929, quarter eagle coinage was suspended. During the coinage period 1908 to
1929 production was divided into two spans, 1908-1915 and the second continuous
coinage 1925-1929. Coins of the last several years did not circulate actively but
remained in Treasury vaults. Most were melted during the 1930s. It is a curious fact
that in the late 1920s, when quarter eagles were still being minted, they traded at a
slight premium over face value, and were not readily available from banks at par.
