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1808 the overlooked date for US coinage

Not many denominations were made in 1808.
Post your coin(s) and any thoughts about it and or this particular year in Numismatics.

Comments

  • seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 1,360 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The oversized Liberty on Half Dollars from the era are quite impressive. I use to have a few 1808 coins but I could only ever seem to get the 07 as a Drape coin.
    I do wonder though if the dual mintage styles make 1807 coins more popular, of course along with the first year status.
    I do love the 1808 for it's novelty but must also admit the later reduced portrait gives the coin a more balanced and centered look. I don't think bust Halves would have lasted as many years if the change had not been made. James

  • jacrispiesjacrispies Posts: 1,242 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I prefer 1807 over 1808 for the halves, but the 1808 quarter eagles are certainly a fascinating rarity. I've handled a couple XFs but none of the high grade examples.

    "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
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  • pcgscacgoldpcgscacgold Posts: 3,205 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very nice @pursuitofliberty My first 1808 posted above yours is also from Lance's collection.

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,392 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Cool thread.

  • WinLoseWinWinLoseWin Posts: 1,758 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just need a post showing someones nice 1808 Half Cent and an 1808 Quarter Eagle to have all the denominations that were issued.

    If I recall, @BillJones may be able to help with one or both of those.

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,789 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WinLoseWin said:

    Just need a post showing someones nice 1808 Half Cent and an 1808 Quarter Eagle to have all the denominations that were issued.

    If I recall, @BillJones may be able to help with one or both of those.

    @jesbroken likely has an 1808 half cent.

    In the meantime here’s my humble cent, still a tough coin to find straight graded even in lower grades:


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  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,782 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Tried to upload an 1808/7 Half Cent, but would not allow it. Tired of this.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,991 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 24, 2025 9:10AM

    @WinLoseWin said:

    Just need a post showing someones nice 1808 Half Cent and an 1808 Quarter Eagle to have all the denominations that were issued.

    If I recall, @BillJones may be able to help with one or both of those.

    I sold most of my half cent die variety collection. The 1808's, the normal and the more common overdate variety when with it. BTW, the 1808 half cent in the previous post is very nice. It hard to get that date in grades higher than Choice VF.

    Here is my 1808 quarter eagle.

    And I have an 1808 large cent in my one a year cent collection.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,304 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The Mexico City Mint was busy in 1808:

    image
    Spanish America gold eight escudos "doubloon" 1808
    Gold, 36.5 mm, 27.00 gm, Mexico City Mint

    Obverse:
    Ferdinand facing right
    FERDIN VII D G HISP ET IND R 1808
    (Ferdinand VII, by the Grace of God, King of Spain and the Indies)
    Reverse:
    Crowned shield of Spain
    IN UTROQ FELIX AUSPICE DEO (For both sides, happiness under the auspices of God)
    8 S (8 Scudi, Latin for escudos)
    Mo TH (Mexico City Mint, Mint assayer initials)
    The coin was graded by NGC as AU 50

    image
    Spanish America silver eight reales 1808
    Silver, 38 mm, 26.48 gm, Mexico City Mint

    Obverse:
    Ferdinand facing right
    FERDIN VII DEI GRATIA 1808
    (Ferdinand VII, by the Grace of God)
    Reverse:
    Crowned shield of Spain
    HISPAN ET IND REX Mo 8R T H
    (King of Spain and the Indies, Mexico City Mint, 8 Reales, Mint assayer initials)

    :)

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  • Alpha2814Alpha2814 Posts: 203 ✭✭✭

    My first old coin, Christmas present in the 1970s. Overgraded and overpriced. Still have it, but no idea what to do with it.

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,782 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Finally, I was able to get these two phtos loaded. It amazes me how some days, I have no problems and others are nightmares. Today I had no problem uploading other date .jpg coins from same file but not these. I had to rephoto with camera, send to phone and upload from phone gallery.
    Some very nice coins presented.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,782 ✭✭✭✭✭



    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • steve_richardsonsteve_richardson Posts: 222 ✭✭✭✭

    Only half cent I have. I think it’s an 1808, but it’s hard to tell between the wear and what is maybe environmental damage that someone tried to clean off. But I like it because it’s the oldest coin in the collection I inherited from my grandfather.

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,782 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yes 1808 DBHCent C-3.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • Spud2020Spud2020 Posts: 91 ✭✭✭

    @Bullsitter said:


    Just wow!

  • JCH22JCH22 Posts: 420 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 24, 2025 1:47PM

    .

  • WinLoseWinWinLoseWin Posts: 1,758 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Spud2020 said:

    @Bullsitter said:

    Just wow!

    .
    .
    Interesting though not that much of a wow.

    Looks like a Moonlight Mint (Daniel Carr) fantasy overstrike with a double strike.

    .
    .

    https://dc-coin.com/1grabenercoinpressmedallionsaleprice-1-4-4-1-2-2-2-3-3-1-1-1-2-1-3-1-3-1.aspx

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,430 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What's the big deal? 5 types struck, no mint marks, just like 1967. ;)

    My sole 1808 coin O-107a, VF25.

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,789 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WinLoseWin said:

    @Spud2020 said:

    @Bullsitter said:

    Just wow!

    .
    .
    Interesting though not that much of a wow.

    Looks like a Moonlight Mint (Daniel Carr) fantasy overstrike with a double strike.

    .
    .

    https://dc-coin.com/1grabenercoinpressmedallionsaleprice-1-4-4-1-2-2-2-3-3-1-1-1-2-1-3-1-3-1.aspx

    Definitely not a genuine US mint issued piece, as it’s the wrong Liberty head, for starters.

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  • Spud2020Spud2020 Posts: 91 ✭✭✭

    @Walkerguy21D said:

    @WinLoseWin said:

    @Spud2020 said:

    @Bullsitter said:

    Just wow!

    .
    .
    Interesting though not that much of a wow.

    Looks like a Moonlight Mint (Daniel Carr) fantasy overstrike with a double strike.

    .
    .

    https://dc-coin.com/1grabenercoinpressmedallionsaleprice-1-4-4-1-2-2-2-3-3-1-1-1-2-1-3-1-3-1.aspx

    Definitely not a genuine US mint issued piece, as it’s the wrong Liberty head, for starters.

    I should have known That. I am losing it. :)

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