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The Quarter Eagles of Bela Lyon Pratt The design for the new quarter eagle ($2 1/2) gold piece of 1908 was quite a departure from the typical United States coin design. Designer Bela Lyon Pratt, taking inspiration from ancient Greek and Egyptian coins, modeled the central devices in incuse rather than bas relief everyone was so familiar with. His new approach met with priase from art critics but much condemnation from public sources. Many felt the design would trap dirt and spread disease. Despite this the design endured to the end of circulating gold coinage in the United States. The same design is also found used on the half eagle or five dollar gold piece. The series spans the years 1908 to 1929 (no coins were issued from 1916 to 1924) and contains only 15 individual issues. The short run and no real stoppers make this the only gold set that the average collector can realistically hope to assemble. The set used to illustrate this e-Exhibit is in an affordable collector grade of AU for all but the key 1911 D, which is in EF. If you have been bit by the gold bug and are looking for a therapeutic activity to treat it consider an Indian Head Quarter Eagle Set, 1908 - 1929, designed by Bela Lyon Pratt.
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