Capped Draped Bust $2.50 Gold 1808 US Coin Facts Images

Images courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries

CAPPED DRAPED BUST $2-1/2 DOLLARS OR QUARTER EAGLES 1808

Capped-Draped Bust Quarter Eagle Facts:

The 1808 Capped-Draped Bust Quarter Eagle can often be confused with the Capped Head Quarter Eagle of 1821-1834. The main reasons: It was minted in 1808 only, in a small quantity (2,710 circulation only), and the design is similar to the Capped Head type of 1921. The 1921 Capped Head Quarter Eagle also maintained the legal weight standard, but was slightly smaller and thicker than the previous quarter eagle.

It wouldn't be much of a stretch to refer to the Capped Draped Bust Quarter Eagle as Type I and the Capped Head Quarter Eagle Type II respectively. In this scenario, the distinction would be much clearer for proper identification of both quarter eagle design types during the 1808-1834 era.

1808 Only minted in this year, design changed to a "no bust".

SPECIFICATIONS:

Mintage: (Business) 2,710

Designer: Robert Scot

Diameter: 18.5 millimeters

Metal content:

Gold - 91.7%

Other - 8.3%

Weight: 67.5 grains (4.37 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mint mark: None (all examples of this date and type were struck at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mint)