Large Draped Bust to Left Quarter Eagles 1808

About This Series

Standing as one of the rarest regular-issue United States gold coins, the 1808 Large Draped Bust to Left Quarter Eagle was produced for a single year with a mere 2,710 pieces struck. John Reich designed the Capped Bust obverse with Liberty facing left wearing a mob cap, paired with a heraldic eagle reverse, creating a large-diameter $2.50 gold coin that proved impractical for continued production. The large planchet format was abandoned the following year for a reduced-size version, making this a unique single-year type. Its significance extends beyond rarity to its position as a transitional piece — John Reich's first and only full-size quarter eagle before practical considerations forced a diameter reduction. Struck in .9167 fine gold at approximately 7 grams, surviving specimens are individually tracked by researchers. The coin appears in virtually every listing of the most important regular-issue American gold rarities. For type collectors, the 1808 presents an unavoidable bottleneck — there is no alternative date, as the large-format design existed for this single year alone.

Series Information