With a mintage of only 2,710, the 1808 quarter eagle, which is a one year type coin, is one of the most desirable U.S. coins. According to PCGS CoinFacts there are 132 survivors. The mintage was made from one die pair which were cut by John Reich. There would not be any more orders for the rest of Reich's tenure at the mint. Like many of Reich's dies, the 13th star has a notch cut into one of the arms. This piece was graded by PCGS as an AU-50. It is in an old greeen label holder. The 1808 quarter eagle was the first year for the Indian type. This coin always had a flat spot at the top of the eagle's wing on the reverse. Since that is a grading point, sometimes you find this date conservatively graded. I bought this piece from a dealer friend who was planning to crack it out in search of a higher grade. I probably over paid because of that, but I liked the coin. It is PCGS graded MS-64.
@johnmilton ..... Your comment about Reich cutting a notch into the thirteenth star intrigues me. I had never hear that before. Was did it signify to him?
It seems like it was his signature. He places on the Capped Busy half dollar dies he made. The collectors of Capped Bust Half Dollar die varieties noticed it. He put it on his gold and silver coins. When he left the mint in 1817, it disappeared. He also made script “J”, maybe “R” marks on Ms. Liberty’s clasp of her drapery.
@johnmilton once again, I'm in awe of your collection and your knowledge. How about you just hang around, well.... forever! Thank you so much. Blessings
I think that the 1796 No Stars Quarter Eagle is ahead of it. From the historical perspective, the 1793 Chain Cent and the 1792 Half Disme are all more desirable, but they are not as rare.
