Coin

2½ Dollars "Capped Head - Quarter Eagle" (1808) — United States

United States • 1808 • KM# 40, PCGS# 7660

2½ Dollars "Capped Head - Quarter Eagle" (1808) — United States

Overview

A 2½ Dollars "Capped Head - Quarter Eagle" coin from the United States, minted in 1808. The obverse features a bust with a cap on the head left, with 13 stars around, while the reverse shows an eagle with arrows and an olive branch in its talons, with a motto above. Composed of gold (.9167) and (.0833 silver and copper), this round coin has a reeded edge and weighs 4.37 g.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
1808
Composition
Gold (.9167) (.0833 silver and copper)
Weight
4.37 g
Diameter
20 mm
Mint
United States Mint of Philadelphia
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 40, PCGS# 7660
Issuer
United States

Design details

Obverse

Bust with cap on head left, 13 stars around Script: Latin Lettering: LIBERTY 1808

Reverse

Eagle with arrows and olive branch in talons, motto above Script: Latin Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA E PLURIBUS UNUM 2 ½ D.

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: John Reich is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Struck at: United States Mint of Philadelphia. Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Low mintage: Only 2,710 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
  • Precious metal content: Gold (.9167) (.0833 silver and copper) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 40, PCGS# 7660. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

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