The Capped Bust quarter eagle joins John Reich's left-facing portrait to a long production gap and two later reductions in diameter.

This guide covers the 1808 debut, the 1821–1827 large-diameter issues, and the 1829–1834 reduced-diameter issues recorded in the catalog.

Core specifications

Issue period
1808–1834
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
44,775
Composition
92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper
Diameter
Varies by type
Weight
4.37 g

A quarter eagle made in small, selective runs

John Reich's left-facing Liberty appeared for one year in 1808 before quarter-eagle production paused.

When the denomination returned, changing diameters and close die work created three catalog types even though the gold weight remained constant until the 1834 reform.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

A capped Liberty faces left, surrounded by stars with the date below; portrait scale and diameter distinguish the three formats.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

An eagle with shield holds arrows and an olive branch beneath E PLURIBUS UNUM, with the denomination below.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1808, 1821, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834; 44,775. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

A three-format type approach explains the series better than date order alone; the isolated 1808 issue is a major goal by itself.

  • 1808 P — 2,710. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1821 P — 6,448. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1824 P - 4 Over 1 — 2,600. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1827 P — 2,800. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1829 P — 3,403. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1834 P — 4,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1808 P Capped Bust $2.51821 P Capped Bust $2.51824 P Capped Bust $2.5 - 4 Over 11825 P Capped Bust $2.51826 P Capped Bust $2.5 - 6 Over 61827 P Capped Bust $2.51829 P Capped Bust $2.51830 P Capped Bust $2.51831 P Capped Bust $2.51832 P Capped Bust $2.51833 P Capped Bust $2.51834 P Capped Bust $2.5

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 12 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Gold Eagle Coins and Their History — United States Mint
  2. Capped Bust $2.5 category reference — PCGS CoinFacts