Varieties of 1818 Capped Bust Quarters

Baley

second in a series, following the 1815 quarter thread.

1818 quarters were minted, after a hiatus that saw no coins dated 1816 or 1817, in the quantity of 361,174 pieces.

There are 11 major die pairs listed by Browning, many of them having several die states.

Here is a B-10, die state 1, with no crack through the 2 on the reverse



I'll post other varieties from the collection as time permits, please post pictures and discussion of 1818 quarters if any

Shortgapbob

I recently purchased an 1818 B-10 variety in a PCGS holder. I love the coins, and am qucikly gaining interest in the early quarters, as they seem difficult to purchase original in mid-grades. Unfortunately, the coin is not with me, so no pics right now.

TobyOneKenobe

Your coin looks like a B-10.

The obverse has 3 closely spaced dentils underneath the first 1 in the date, found in B-8, B-9, and B-10.

The reverse of a B-10 has the OF and AMERICA close together.

LeeG

Nice coin Baley!!! Heres an 1818 I picked up a month or so ago, PCGS XF40:










Edited to add this info from Dennis, numisma:

"As a variety, it is common (B-2, R.1). But.....as a die state, it MUST be rare as I have never seen one so late. In fact, I don't recall ever seeing clash marks that heavy on any 1818 quarter. This is really mind-blowing to me. You have what I would go out on a limb and call "terminal die state". The breaks on stars 8-10 are what I would classify as retained cuds. I suspect that the dies clashed very heavily, thus exacerbating the already present cracks in the die. The dies would have been retired shortly thereafter. Actually, just the obverse die as the reverse is used on B-3, but the clash marks were removed by grinding/lapping the dies. I would like to do a die study on this phenomenon, as I think it could be possible that the reverse was used on B-3 first. You have something there. I will try to find more information for you. I look forward to hearing what Dick has to say. Better yet, with your permission, I will forward images to the guys writing the new book on the subject (Brad Karoleff and Glenn Peterson). They would have some input. I received a response from Brad Karoleff: Your images have been forwarded to Rory Rea, one of the leading experts in early Quarters. I will keep you posted. The clash marks are highly unusual. Hope you have something with your 1818........


and Dick Osborn:
"The quarter sure looks like a terminal state. I don’t remember seeing one with the die cracks that advanced. The 1818 quarter appears to be B-2, which is a common variety. I can't tell from a picture whether it's the terminal state, but it's close. The terminal state has additional clash marks. None of the states are particularly rare."

Baley

Yes, the coin I posted is a B-10; I will image and post several other varieties as I get the chance.

Lee, wonderful coin! Very late die states are great, aren't they? One can imagine the early mint workers using these dies until they plumb wore out, and it's hard to imagine many more coins, if any, struck after yours. That it was preserved in such high grade with the clashing and breaks so evident is also special.

We can see by the lack of response that few members are interested in 1818 quarters and fewer still have any examples to show. Not sure how that bodes for the rest of the series..

mozin

I was waiting until Saturday to show off this Bustie.

LeeG

<< <i>Yes, the coin I posted is a B-10; I will image and post several other varieties as I get the chance.

Lee, wonderful coin! Very late die states are great, aren't they? One can imagine the early mint workers using these dies until they plumb wore out, and it's hard to imagine many more coins, if any, struck after yours. That it was preserved in such high grade with the clashing and breaks so evident is also special.

We can see by the lack of response that few members are interested in 1818 quarters and fewer still have any examples to show. Not sure how that bodes for the rest of the series.. >>



Thanks Baley. I love all the "stuff" going on on this one I would still like you to work through the series. I'm interested and love the history around coins!!!!!!!




<< <i>I was waiting until Saturday to show off this Bustie. >>


"Very Nice"!!!!!!!! I'd love to see a digital image of this one. Looks like some nice color!!!!!!

Varlis

Here's the one in my date set. Nice thread!

mozin

Varlis,

Your Bust Quarter appears to be B-2 R1.

Baley

Yes, another B-2, these are commonly seen, often readily identified by the crack over the cap, which in Lee's coin has progressed radially, notably all the way through star 10 to the rim and again just right of K12. Varlis we've corresponded about early quarters before, glad to see you on board this series

mozin

LeeG,

According to Browning, the reverse has heavy double clash marks below the scroll for die state V. Die state VI has triple clash marks below the scroll. The pictures seem to show a double clash. As Dick Osburn mentioned, clashing is fairly common in this marriage.

rhedden

One is cleaned, and the other one has environmental damage. But one of them is a much better variety.

RichieURich

Rhedden, the second coin you posted is the better variety which is a B-9. The B-9 variety is identifiable by the three denticles together under the first 1 in the date, and the die crack through the N in UNITED. There is a late and very rare die state of the B-9 variety which has a die clash showing on the obverse as three arrowheads and "25 C." above the cap. Anyone have one of those to show?

Baley

... and the first of rhedden's coins appears to be a B8, a later die state with the prominent crack from rim to leaf left of the 2.

mozin

B-3 R2