Capped Bust Quarter
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Spanning 1815 to 1838, the Capped Bust Quarter catalog contains 29 year-and-mintmark variants. Across the series, the key date is the 1827 Capped Bust Quarter at just 4,000 struck and the highest-value variant is the 1827 Capped Bust Quarter at up to $600,000 in top grade.
Capped Bust Quarter Mintage by Year
Peak 2MCombined mintage per year across every strike type (circulated, proof, and specimen) and all mintmarks.
About the Capped Bust Quarter
The Capped Bust Quarter was produced in the United States between 1815 and 1838. It was created by the U.S. Mint to replace the previous Draped Bust Quarter. The Capped Bust Quarter was designed under the direction of John Reich and features a portrait of an idealized Liberty facing right on the obverse, with her hair tied with a ribbon, wearing a cap with the word “Liberty” inscribed on it. On the reverse side, an eagle with its wings spread is encircled by a wreath.
The Capped Bust Quarter was struck in two varieties, from two different mints. The first variety was struck from 1815 to 1828 at the Philadelphia Mint, and the other was struck from 1831 to 1838, also at the Philadelphia Mint. Both varieties were minted for circulation, but none were meant for people to collect and keep as souvenirs.
The Capped Bust Quarter was the first quarter to feature a portrait of Liberty, based on Reich’s interpretation of a neoclassical style. It also has a large bust of Liberty that is significantly larger than the bust on the previous Draped Bust Quarter. Aside from providing a larger space for the portrait, the Capped Bust Quarter also was the first quarter to include the word “Liberty” inscribed on Liberty’s cap.
In terms of the reverse, the Capped Bust Quarter features an eagle surrounded by a wreath, with the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” written around it. The size of the eagle on the reverse side was much larger than the one on the Draped Bust Quarter.
The Capped Bust Quarter is a highly sought-after coin among numismatists and collectors. Due to its age and rarity, it is estimated to be worth between $50 and $4,000, depending on its condition. Coins that are in extremely fine condition can be worth more, with some examples selling for more than $15,000.
Due to its scarcity, the Capped Bust Quarter has become an integral part of American coinage history. It is an iconic representation of early American coinage and a must-have for any numismatic collection.
Most-collected Capped Bust Quarter coins on LuckyCoin
Looking for coins from a specific year across every denomination? Browse US coin values by year →
Which Capped Bust Quarter coins do collectors actually own? See the 2026 rarity & ownership report →
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Capped Bust Quarter minted?
- The Capped Bust Quarter was minted by United States from 1815 to 1838.
- How many Capped Bust Quarter coins were minted?
- Across every year and mintmark, approximately 5,496,984 Capped Bust Quarter coins were struck.
- What is the Capped Bust Quarter made of?
- The Capped Bust Quarter is made of silver (.8924) (.1076 copper), weighs 6.74 grams, and measures 24.3 mm in diameter.
- How much is a Capped Bust Quarter worth?
- Value depends on year, mintmark, and condition. Common dates in average circulated condition trade for near face value, while the rarest varieties in top grade can fetch up to $600,000. See individual year pages for grade-by-grade estimates.