1815-1838 Capped Bust Quarter

Coin specifications and design

Years made: 1815-1838

Country: United States

Denomination: Quarter dollar

Category: Circulating coin

Composition: 89.24% silver through 1836; 90% silver in 1837-1838

Silver fineness: 89.24% through 1836; 90% in 1837-1838

Silver weight: About 0.1934 oz ASW through 1836; 0.1933 oz ASW in 1837-1838

Weight: 6.74 g through 1836; 6.68 g in 1837-1838

Diameter: 27.0 mm for 1815-1828; 24.3 mm for 1831-1838

Thickness: Approx. 1.75 mm

Edge: Reeded

Designer: John Reich / William Kneass

Design identification

Obverse: Liberty bust portrait.

Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch, arrows, and the denomination below.

Capped Bust Quarter history

The Capped Bust quarter first appeared in 1815 after quarter-dollar production had been suspended for several years. The design followed John Reich’s Capped Bust style, although later modifications changed the size and details of the coin. Production was irregular because quarters were not always needed in large quantities during the early nineteenth century. The type continued through 1838 and was then replaced by Christian Gobrecht’s Liberty Seated quarter.