quarter eagle
C2/RareHistorical, Numismatic
Definition
Meaning
A former US gold coin worth $2.50, first minted in 1796.
A historical coin used in the US monetary system, constituting one quarter of the value of a ten-dollar gold eagle coin.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Exclusively refers to a specific, discontinued US coin. Used in historical or numismatic contexts. Not a current unit of currency. The term is a compound noun where 'quarter' denotes a fraction and 'eagle' is the name of the base coin.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is specific to US coinage history; it has no equivalent in British monetary history and would only be understood by specialists or history enthusiasts in the UK.
Connotations
In the US, it evokes historical Americana, the early republic, or gold coin collecting. In the UK, it is primarily a technical numismatic term.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, but marginally higher in US historical writing or among coin collectors. Virtually non-existent in British everyday language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + quarter eagle (collect, own, mint, find)ADJECTIVE + quarter eagle (gold, rare, historical, US)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused, except in the niche auction or rare coin investment sector.
Academic
Used in historical texts on US economic or numismatic history.
Everyday
Extremely rare; most modern speakers would not use or recognize the term.
Technical
Standard term in numismatics (coin collecting) for this specific US coin series.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This old coin is a quarter eagle.
- My grandfather collected old coins, including a quarter eagle.
- The 1840 quarter eagle is prized by collectors for its rarity and design.
- Despite its modest face value, a proof quarter eagle from the early 19th century can fetch hundreds of thousands at auction due to its numismatic significance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an EAGLE as a $10 coin. A QUARTER of that value ($2.50) is a QUARTER EAGLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
COINAGE IS HIERARCHY (based on the bird, with fractional denominations: eagle, half eagle, quarter eagle).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "четверть орел".
- It is not a coin featuring an eagle on one quarter of its surface.
- It is a specific historical term best transliterated or described: "квортер игл" (историческая золотая монета в 2.5 доллара).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to a modern 25-cent coin (quarter).
- Capitalizing it incorrectly (not a proper noun).
- Assuming it is still legal tender.
Practice
Quiz
What was the monetary value of a US quarter eagle?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is no longer minted and is not in circulation. Its value today is based on its gold content and collectible status.
The Coinage Act of 1792 established the 'eagle' as the name for the $10 gold coin, featuring an eagle. Fractional coins were named accordingly.
No, that is simply a 'quarter'. 'Quarter eagle' refers specifically to the historical $2.50 gold coin.
Primarily in museums, history books, auction catalogs for coins, or in conversations among coin collectors (numismatists).