1802 2 Over 1

Every 1802 quarter eagle is a 2 Over 1 overdate, and the issue carries that distinction without a normal-date counterpart. Philadelphia did not strike quarter eagles in 1801, and rather than discard the unused 1801 dies the engraving department punched a 2 directly over the 1 in the date and put them to work for the 1802 emission. Mint records list 3,035 deliveries for the year, all from the overdate die. The series carries a parallel set of gaps on either side: no quarter eagles were produced for 1799, 1800, 1801, or 1803, which leaves the 1802 as the sole bridging issue between the 1798 Heraldic Eagle inaugurations and the 1804 13 Star Reverse. Its higher mintage relative to the 1796-1798 issues makes the 2 Over 1 the most attainable Draped Bust quarter eagle and the standard entry point for collectors building the date set.

Authentication starts with date examination. Under 5x to 10x magnification the underlying 1 should be visible behind the 2, with the vertical stem of the 1 typically projecting behind the 2's vertical leg and traces of the digit's serifs visible at the base. The overdate is the primary attribution diagnostic and any 1802 quarter eagle whose date appears as a clean single punch warrants immediate scrutiny. Specifications confirm the rest: 4.37 grams on a 20 mm planchet of 0.9167 fine gold, a fully reeded edge, and coin alignment with the reverse rotated 180 degrees from the obverse. Cast counterfeits surface periodically and reveal themselves through soft rim definition, granular field texture, and weight that drifts from the 4.37 gram standard.

Auction frequency reflects modest survival despite the higher mintage; PCGS estimates roughly 75 to 125 pieces extant across all grades. Circulated examples in Very Fine through Extremely Fine surface with patience and bring $15,000 to $30,000 at Heritage and Stack's Bowers, AU coins reach $35,000 to $60,000, and the rare Mint State piece can clear $100,000. Acquisition is best pursued through major-house catalog sales rather than dealer inventory, and the 2 Over 1 typically precedes the 1796-1798 rarities in any date set build. See the full Draped Bust Quarter Eagle series history.