1822

The 1822 Capped Bust quarter ranks among the lowest-mintage circulation strikes of the entire series, with just 64,080 pieces recorded by the Philadelphia Mint. By the early 1820s, quarter production had become irregular, with the Mint focusing its limited silver supplies on half dollars, which dominated commercial use. The result was that quarters from this period reached the public sporadically and circulated hard once they did. Most 1822 quarters spent decades passing through general commerce before numismatists began saving them in any number, which explains why high-grade survivors are genuinely few. This entry covers the standard 1822 with normal date placement, distinct from the famous 1822 25 over 50 C denomination-blunder variety, which is cataloged and valued separately by die marriage.

Design specifications match the broader Type 1 large-size format: 27 millimeters across, 6.74 grams of 89.24 percent silver alloyed with copper, and a reeded edge. The obverse shows Liberty in her ribboned cloth cap with thirteen stars framing the date, while the reverse carries the heraldic eagle with shield, arrows, olive branch, and the E PLURIBUS UNUM scroll. For authentication, collectors and graders at PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) confirm the standard 1822 by Browning attribution. The single 1822 obverse die produced three marriages (B-1, B-2, B-3), with B-2 carrying the famous 25/50C blundered denomination cataloged separately and B-3, the "Broken Arrows" variety discovered in 2017, surviving in just one known example. B-1 is therefore the workhorse marriage for the standard date. Weight should fall within roughly 6.6 to 6.8 grams once normal wear is accounted for, and the date digits should sit cleanly without underdigit traces. Edge reeding and obverse stars are useful counterfeit checks, since contemporary and modern fakes do exist.

Population data from PCGS and NGC shows the 1822 in low triple digits across grades, with Mint State pieces rare enough to command strong results at Heritage Auctions and Stack's Bowers. Beginning collectors often pursue a circulated VG to Fine example as their semi-key anchor for the Capped Bust Quarter series history.