A very nice specimen of this elusive type issue. The surfaces show minor circulation ticks expected for the grade, none of which warrant attention. Fully struck throughout, with strong curls on Liberty and all the reverse details bold. There are some light adjustment marks on the reverse rim, but a glass is needed to see them above UNITED. On balance, this coin should delight most collectors for the quality of the surfaces, strike and eye appeal.

The fourteen star reverse likely came about in 1798. The new heraldic eagle reverse style was adapted in 1798, and initially the stars above the eagle were arranged in the "star cross" pattern, with the stars in straight lines as seen on the Great Seal of the United States. The die engraver adapted the Great Seal design by using an arc of clouds over the eagle instead of a circle of clouds. When engraving the stars into the die, the stars were placed in straight lines as seen on the Great Seal, but this simply didn't conform to the arc of clouds. On this particular die, the engraver painted himself into a corner, and ended up with 14 stars instead of the 13 expected above the eagle. After a handful of dies using the "star cross" pattern were engraved, this engraver realized that putting the stars in arcs instead of straight lines worked much better. It is likely that this die was set aside in 1798 and not used until 1804 when the error reverse was forgotten. Always in strong demand from collectors, and especially so when such a pleasing coin is offered.

This fourteen star reverse die was also used to coin dimes of 1804, as both quarter eagles and dimes were the same size and employed identical reverse dies. In several instances the same reverse dies coined both dimes and quarter eagles during the period of 1798 to 1807.