The 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle Values Around $4 Million, Can be Found in 2025
The 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle ($2.50 gold coin) is one of the rarest and most collectible gold coins ever minted in the United States. In 2015, an MS65 example sold at auction for $2,350,000, and a similar coin would likely exceed $4 million in 2025 due to increasing demand and fewer public appearances.
Historical Background of the 1808 Quarter Eagle
- Denomination: $2.50 (Quarter Eagle)
- Design Type: Capped Bust to Left
- Mint Year: 1808 only
- Designer: John Reich
- Metal Composition: 91.67% gold, 8.33% copper
- Weight: 4.37 grams
- Diameter: ~20 mm
- Mint Location: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
- Mintage: Only 2,710 coins minted in total
Why Was It Minted Only in 1808?
The 1808 Quarter Eagle was the first and last of its design, due to:
- Public Disinterest in $2.50 Gold Coins
Gold quarter eagles were not widely used in commerce. Silver was more common for daily transactions. - Minting Issues
The coin was small in size and prone to being lost or melted down for gold content.
How Rare Is the 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle?
Extremely rare.
- Although 2,710 coins were originally struck, most were melted down, lost, or never entered wide circulation.
- As of 2025, it is estimated that fewer than 25–30 genuine examples survive.
- Of those, only a handful are in Mint State (uncirculated) condition.
This coin is considered a key rarity in the entire early gold coin series and is listed in major U.S. rare coin registries.
Current Value in 2025
The value of the 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle varies widely based on condition, provenance (ownership history), and market demand. Below are estimated values in 2025, based on auction records and market trends:
- Worn or Low-Grade (VF-20 to EF-45): $300,000 to $500,000. Even well-worn examples fetch six-figure sums due to the coin’s rarity.
- About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-58): $500,000 to $1.5 million. Lightly circulated coins with good eye appeal command higher prices.
- Mint State (MS-60 to MS-64): $1.5 million to $2.5 million. Uncirculated coins are highly sought after by collectors.
- Top Grade (MS-65): Up to $4 million or more. The finest known example, from the D. Brent Pogue Collection, sold for $2.35 million in 2015.
Summary of the 1808 Quarter Eagle Coin
| Feature | Details |
| Official Name | 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle |
| Face Value | $2.50 |
| Composition | 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper |
| Weight | 4.37 grams |
| Designer | John Reich |
| Minted At | Philadelphia (no mintmark) |
| Total Minted | 2,710 coins |
| Estimated Survivors (2025) | 20–30 coins |
| 2025 Market Value Range | $85,000 – $1.5 million+ |
| Still Exists Today? | Yes – in museums, collections, and auctions |
Final Thoughts
The 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle is not just a rare coin — it’s a golden piece of American numismatic history. With only a few known to exist and just one year of production, it remains one of the rarest U.S. gold coins ever minted.
