The November 2012 Baltimore Auction - US and World Lots - Live and Internet Only Sessions

Pre-Bidding Ends: 11/15/2012 2:00:00 PM PST
Live Floor and Internet Bidding Begins: 11/15/2012 3:00:00 PM PST

Lot #3241. 1808 Capped Bust Left Quarter Eagle. BD-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. MS-61 (NGC).

Mint State 1808 Capped Bust Left Quarter Eagle, Single-Year Type Coin
Description: Lustrous and attractive with the fields showing minimal signs of handling and the strike is reasonably sharp for this rare and desirable type coin. These dies were engraved by John Reich and represented the first of his new style for the quarter eagle that year. Curiously no more quarter eagles were struck until 1821 after this issue, and these later coins were by Robert Scot. Hence these 1808 Capped Bust Left quarter eagles became a single year type coin, and are of the highest rarity with an original mintage of 2,710 pieces of which perhaps 125 to 150 exist today. Notice the traces of copper toning on the high points, with a swath through the lower left reverse field as well--the balance of the coin is bright yellow gold. Full separation of Liberty's curls and just a trace of softness is noted on the uppermost areas. Minor nicks from bag handling and there are adjustment marks seen on the obverse rims, common to this issue. For identification there is a shallow nick on Liberty's neck, another in the field before her mouth and a short scratch near the dentils around star six. Segments of the dentils are weakly struck, in areas opposite the adjustment marks, as expected on this issue. Usual light die crack from the cap to stars on the right.

 These quarter eagles of the period never caught on as far as important denominations. The half eagle seemed to garner that attention, along with the half dollar, and these denominations were what dominated the coins in circulation and boasted the highest mintages of the precious metal coinage. This continued until 1834 when the Classic head quarter eagles entered circulation in large enough numbers to warrant notice. All these generations later, coins like this prized rarity 1808 quarter eagle are highly coveted and of the highest rarity. Mint State pieces are of course, virtually unobtainable with demand always far outstripping the number of coins that come to market in any grade level of mint state.

NGC Census: 7; 6 finer (MS-64 finest).

PCGS# 7660.


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