Lot 489
1815 Capped Bust Quarter Dollar. NGC graded MS-63. B-1. Pop 8; 25 finer. Well struck throughout and shimmering with basically untoned frosty mint luster. Has a very charming appearance of an even higher grade. The U.S. mint struck only three denominations this year: quarter dollars, half dollars, and half eagles. Partly this was due to a bullion scarcity arising out of the War of 1812-15 with England. In a new 4 pronged NGC holder.
Sporadic mintage of this denomination also reflected public preference for Spanish and Mexican 2-real coins, which were legal tender at par with the U.S. quarter dollar, though lighter in weight. The heavier federal quarters tended to be hoarded, finally many being melted in 1853.
The mintage for this year includes 20,003 delivered Jan. 10, 1816, from the 1815-dated dies. Less than 12 hours after this 1816 delivery, a fire broke out in one of the Mint's outbuildings, ruining the rolling mills and blank cutters so that no more gold or silver could be coined until extensive repairs were complete (late 1817). Most of the 1815-dated coins went to Bailly Blanchard, Cashier Planters' Bank of New Orleans and from there they entered circulation.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500.
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