1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle: A simple-looking coin worth crores
Have you ever thought you could have an old coin worth crores? A very rare gold coin of America—1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle—is currently being sold for $3.4 million (about 28 crores). This information did not become the best topic of discussion among collectors, but additionally pressured commonplace people to assume that possibly they too could have the sort of treasure.
Even if you do not have this coin, after understanding this story, you’ll truly need to take a better look at your old coins once. Let us realize the tale of this unique coin, why its rate is so high, and the way you too can locate something precious in your coins.
💎 What is the 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle?

This is a $2.50 gold coin that was changed into the handiest issued in 1808. ** It features Lady Liberty carrying a simple hat and a heraldic eagle on the obverse.
- Designer: John Reich, one of the first US currency designers.
- Quantity: Only 2,710 units of this coin were minted, of which only 125-150 coins survive today.
That’s the best part—the fact that such a small number of coins were minted and survived is a collector’s dream.
🎨 Design and Symbols
Obverse:
Features Lady Liberty is looking left, with a soft cap on her head and 13 stars surrounding it that symbolize the original 13 US colonies.
Reverse:
An imperial eagle holding a shield and an arrow in its claws on one side (military power) and an olive branch on the other (peace).
This design depicted the power, freedom, and peaceful thinking of America.
💰 Why is it so expensive?
- Very few were made:
- Only 2,710 coins! And over the years, most of them were either melted or lost.
- Historical significance:
- This was the first and only $2.50 gold coin designed by John Reich. This immortalized his name in history.
- Coins left today:
- Only 125 to 150 coins are known to exist today, making them very much in demand and valuable.
- Record-breaking sales at auction:
- In 2024, a Mint State 65 (i.e., very good condition) coin sold for $3.4 million. Even those with lower grades sell for millions.
- Condition matters a lot:
- If the coin is in brand new condition (mint state), then its value increases manifold.
🔍 Can you also have a valuable coin?

If you have a collection of old coins, then there may be a special one among them. Here are some easy steps by which you can know whether your coin has any special value or not:
Step 1: Check the date and mint mark
If a coin is from 1900 or earlier, keep it aside. Apart from this, the mint mark made on the coin (such as “D,” “S,” “O,” etc.) also determines its value.
Step 2: Check for minting errors
While making some coins, by mistake:
- They are stamped twice (Double Strike).
- They are made slightly tilted or in the wrong way (off-center).
- The date is not visible properly (misprint).
Such “error coins” often prove to be very valuable.
Step 3: Check the condition of the coin
If the coin is completely clean and not worn, then its price can be much higher. Coins with Mint State (above MS60) have the highest value.
Step 4: Check the value online
The price and information of coins are easily available on some websites like PCGS Price Guide and NGC Coin Price Guide.
Step 5: Consult an expert
If you think you have a special coin, contact a professional collector or grading service like PCGS or NGC. They can verify the coin’s actual value and validity.
📦 The Result—An Ordinary Coin, An Extraordinary Story
The 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle is a coin that reminds us that occasionally a notable treasure is hidden in a small object. If you’ve got a field of old coins in your house or something left over from your grandparents’ era, then take a close look at it once.
Who knows, the next story worth crores starts with your hands!
FAQs
Q1: What is the 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle coin?
A: It’s a rare $2.50 U.S. gold coin, minted only in 1808. Designed by John Reich, it features Lady Liberty and a heraldic eagle with historic symbolism.
Q2: Why is the 1808 Quarter Eagle worth crores?
A: Only 2,710 were made, and just 125–150 exist today. Its rarity, historical importance, and top-grade condition make it worth up to $3.4 million.
Q3: Who designed the 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle?
A: John Reich, one of the early U.S. coin designers, created the coin. It was his only $2.50 gold coin design, making it historically significant.