Blanchard

Designer John Reich was a German engraver who, eager to escape the Napoleonic wars, sold himself into indentured service to reach the United States. Although he applied to the Mint in 1801, it was not until 1807 that he was hired. His first assignment was quite daunting – redesign all denominations. This design first appeared on the half dollar and half eagle of 1807. It next appeared on the quarter eagle, dimes, and finally the quarter of 1815. The sporadic mintages for the issue reflected the public’s preference for Mexican and Spanish two-reales coins that were legal tender but had less silver than the quarter, proving Gresham’s law that “bad” money drives out “good”. The majority of the 1815 mintage went to Planter’s Bank of New Orleans, and following a fire at the Mint, no more were minted until 1918. The issue is very popular with type collectors but a complete set is almost impossible to build because there are two major rarites, the 1823/2 and the proof only 1827.