According to Breen (Encyclopedia, page 488), John Reich was a German immigrant who sold himself into indentured servitude to escape the Napoleonic Wars. He was eventually "rescued" from his servitude and hired by the United States Mint, serving as Assistant Engraver (1807-1817). This rarity is Reich's only Quarter-Eagle design, although he did produce dies for several other denominations. It is thought that the tiny notch on the lowermost point of the thirteenth obverse star, on this and his other design types is his "calling card", a secret mark with which he signed his dies.