Capped Bust Quarter (1815 - 1838)

Overview

Made between 1815 and 1838, the Capped Bust Quarter is regarded as one of the most famous early silver coins ever created in the United States. The quarter denomination was not brought back following the year 1807 until the year 1815 when the Capped Bust design was unveiled. Manufactured for the first time the quarter denomination was First seen on the half dollar in the year 1807, the designs are reminiscent of those found on other silver coins at the same time.

Making a twenty-cent piece instead of a quarter dollar would make more sense given the United States monetary system was built on a decimal foundation. A twenty-cent piece was tried to be created between 1875 and 1878, but it failed because of confusion with the quarter money in use at the period.

Liberty is facing left, and she is wearing a fabric cap that is fastened with a band that is engraved with the word "Liberty." Her hair is falling to her shoulder. The fabric that she wears around her throat is draped and fastened with a brooch or a clasp at the shoulder. There are seven stars on the left, and there are six stars on the right. Please see the date below. On the reverse, there is a photograph of an eagle that is sitting on a branch and clutching three arrows, a shield on its breast, and the words "E Pluribus Unum" written on a scroll above it. Around the border, the United States of America and 25 C are visible.

Large Diameter Capped Bust Quarter (1815 - 1828), which had a diameter of roughly 27 millimetres, was designed by John Reich himself and was preserved in its original form. Reduced Diameter Capped Bust Quarter (1831 - 1838) was created by cutting its diameter to 24.3 millimetres and using a more uniform striking technique based on a tight collar.

Although there are a few dates within this range that are difficult to get, and the 1823/2 and 1827 are both quite rare, the type of collector will have little trouble purchasing one of the issues that are more readily available. The specimens that are typically found fall within the range of Very Good to Very Fine on average. They are not as easily found as half dollars of the same years and styles, but they are still worth looking for. Following a two-year break, the first minting of 89,000 coins was followed by the minting of about one million pieces between the years 1818 and 1828.