1818 Capped Bust Quarter

Regular quarter production resumed in 1818 with a mintage of 361,174 coins, the largest output the denomination had ever seen. John Reich had resigned in 1817, leaving Robert Scot (still technically Chief Engraver at age 74) to oversee die preparation with whatever assistance was available. Eleven die varieties exist for the year (Browning B-2 through B-11 plus variants), indicating that the Mint went through dies rapidly during the extended production run.

The 1818 is the most available Large Diameter Capped Bust quarter. PCGS estimates 4,125 survive across all grades, with 187 in Mint State and 32 at the gem level. An MS66 brought $80,500 at Heritage in May 2008. The solitary finest known, a PCGS MS67 in the High Desert Collection, has not appeared at public auction. For type collectors seeking a single example of the Large Diameter Capped Bust quarter (1815-1828), the 1818 is the consensus recommendation: plentiful enough to allow selectivity in circulated grades, and available in Mint State for those willing to invest in one.

Strike quality varies across the eleven die marriages. Collectors pursuing a well-struck example should examine the hair curls beneath Liberty's cap and the eagle's wing feathers, where weak die impressions are most apparent.