1808 Capped Bust Left Quarter Eagle. BD-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. MS-60 (NGC).，This is a generally bright yellow-gold 1808 quarter eagle with a touch of warmer honey tinting in the fields that accents the devices. The surfaces retain considerable mint luster, a feature seldom evident on examples that have seen even limited circulation. The strike is sharp on Libertys curls and the eagle, but the stars lack their radial centers and there is scant denticulation around the borders, as nearly always noted on extant 1808 quarter eagles. Wispy handling marks in the open fields seem to account for the modest grade, although the appearance of this coin is bold and inviting.<p>The 1808 Capped Bust Left quarter eagle is famous as a scarce one year design type. The mintage is a scant 2,710 pieces, and no additional quarter eagles were forthcoming from the Mint until 1821, in which year the Capped Head Left design made its debut. The Capped Bust Left type of 1808 is attributed to engraver John Reich, with the obverse featuring a bust of Liberty facing left (instead of right as seen on quarter eagles of 1796 to 1807). Liberty is wearing a soft cap with the word LIBERTY inscribed on its band. The portrait is similar to that used on Reichs popular Capped Bust half dollar that debuted in 1807, although the cap is different in the manner in which it rests atop Libertys head. Thirteen stars are arranged around the border, seven left and six right, and the date 1808 is below. For the reverse most of the elements of the Great Seal of the United States are present, but redesigned from the preceding Capped Bust Right series. The eagle retains the shield on its breast, but the scroll with the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM has been moved to the upper field. The olive branch and arrows are in their "normal" positions with the former in the eagles right talon and the latter in its left. The clouds and stars above the eagle from the Capped Bust Right series have been omitted here, the balance of the reverse design has the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and the denomination 2 1/2 D. below the eagle. Engraver Reich is believed to have "signed" most of the dies that he engraved in the form a small notch on one of the obverse stars, usually star 13, as here.<p>Of the 40 to 50 examples of this type believed extant, the vast majority are worn to one degree or another, and a not inconsiderable number are impaired due to damage, cleaning, or from having been used in jewelry. Attractive Mint State examples such as this are in the distinct minority among survivors, and they are always highlights of the finest type sets of classic U.S. gold coinage.，PCGS# 7660. NGC ID: 25FD.，NGC Census: 2; 11 finer (MS-64 finest).，From the Murray Hill Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) sale of the Husky Collection, June 2008, lot 2039; our Americana Sale of January 2013, lot 13287.
