1808 Capped Bust Left Quarter Eagle. BD-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. EF Details--Plugged (PCGS).，A more affordable, yet still significant example of this ever-popular date in the early quarter eagle series. Medium gold surfaces retain sharp striking detail to most of the focal features in and around the centers. Peripheral definition is characteristically soft for the issue, the borders virtually devoid of denticulation. The stated qualifier concerns an expertly tooled over plug at the upper obverse border that is also discernible on the reverse below the denomination 2 1/2 D. Moderate hairlining and a curiously glossy texture also identify this coin as a former jewelry piece.<p>One of the most eagerly sought issues among classic United States Mint gold coins, the 1808 is the only quarter eagle of the Capped Bust Left design. This type is credited to Assistant Engraver John Reich, whose "signature" is evident as a tiny notch on the outermost point of star 13 on the obverse. The Mint first used Reichs design in 1807 on the half dollar and half eagle, those being the most popular silver and gold denominations with contemporary bullion depositors. The quarter eagle, however, was not nearly as popular, and comparatively few examples were struck from the denominations introduction in 1796 until 1834. In fact, the 1808 proved to be the final quarter eagle delivery from the Mint until 1821, in which year the Capped Head Left motif replaced Reichs Capped Bust Left design.<p>The mintage of the 1808 quarter eagle was only 2,710 pieces, and attrition through melting was high, as was the case with all pre-1834 U.S. gold coins. According to John W. Dannreuther (<em>Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834</em>, 2006), only 125 to 150 examples are extant in all grades. Such a limited population in no way meets the demand for type coins in todays growing numismatic hobby, and even more affordable examples such as this rarely remain on the market for long.，PCGS# 7660. NGC ID: 25FD.，，
