1819 Capped Bust Quarter Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
The 1819 Capped Bust quarter was struck at Philadelphia and comes in two recognized date varieties. USA Coin Book guide estimates place these coins between $164.00 and $12,162.00, depending on the specific variety and grade.
That range is not a blanket value for every 1819 quarter — the size of the "9" in the date and the coin's condition determine where it falls.
Fast Way to Identify Your 1819 Capped Bust Quarter
Snap clear photos of both the front and back of your 1819 quarter and upload them here. A preliminary identification can help you figure out which variety you have — Small 9 or Large 9 — and point you toward the right part of the guide.
Good lighting and a steady hand make all the difference.
1819 Capped Bust Quarter Value
Upload both sides of your 1819 Capped Bust Quarter.
Front Obverse
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Back Reverse
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Which 1819 Capped Bust Quarter Versions Are Worth Money?
- 1819 Large 9 — USA Coin Book estimates reach $12,162.00 at MS63; even in G4 the guide lists $164.00.
- 1819 Small 9 — guide estimates up to $10,612.00 at MS63, with G4 starting at $164.00.
- Both varieties share the same low-grade guide value, so condition is the primary driver once you have identified the date punch.
- Check the size of the 9 in the date against the neighboring digits to determine which variety you hold.
Step 1: Identify Your 1819 Capped Bust Quarter Mint Mark and Version
Every 1819 Capped Bust quarter was struck at Philadelphia. There is no mintmark to look for on this issue.
The coin is a silver-copper alloy, approximately 89.24% silver. It uses the large-diameter Capped Bust design with the heraldic eagle reverse, a format produced through 1828.
The key identification task is separating the two date varieties: Small 9 and Large 9. Look closely at the final digit of the date.
On the Small 9 variety, the "9" is noticeably shorter and more compact compared to the other digits. The Large 9 version has a taller, more proportional numeral that better matches the height of the "1," "8," and "1" beside it.
Don't confuse surface condition with variety. A cleaned or damaged coin is still one variety or the other — wear and cleaning affect value, not which version you hold.
Step 2: Check Your 1819 Capped Bust Quarter Grade
Focus on the hair above Liberty's ear first. On an unworn coin, individual strands are sharp and separated.
As the coin circulates, that area flattens into a smooth patch — the more blending you see, the lower the grade.
Cap folds and the cheek are next. Light wear softens the cap's drapery lines, while heavier use rounds off Liberty's cheekbone entirely.
Flip the coin over. The eagle's breast feathers and the tops of the wings show wear quickly.
A well-preserved example retains feather detail across the chest.
Strike weakness and wear are not the same thing. Some 1819 quarters left the press with soft detail in the hair or eagle, even before anyone spent them.
Compare your coin to the reference image and note whether the surfaces still carry original luster or show friction — that distinction matters more than sharpness alone.
Step 3: Check 1819 Capped Bust Quarter Value by Mint and Version
1819 Capped Bust Quarter — Small 9
The 1819 Small 9 quarter has a noticeably compact final digit in the date. Place the "9" next to the "8" — if it looks shorter and slightly cramped, you have the Small 9.
This is a Philadelphia-only issue, no mintmark. The design is the large-diameter Capped Bust obverse paired with the heraldic eagle reverse.
USA Coin Book guide estimates run from $164.00 in G4 to $10,612.00 in MS63. These are guide figures, not guaranteed offers.
Original surfaces matter here. Cleaning or damage can sharply reduce what a collector will pay, even if the underlying detail looks decent.
Match the variety first, then assess wear honestly.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
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Coin Identifier FR FR 2
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Coin Identifier AG AG 3
Coin Identifier G G 4
Coin Identifier
G 6
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
Coin Identifier
VG 10
Coin Identifier F F 12
Coin Identifier
F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
Coin Identifier
VF 25
Coin Identifier
VF 30
Coin Identifier
VF 35
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
Coin Identifier
AU 53
Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
—
Coin Identifier
MS 61
—
Coin Identifier
MS 62
Coin Identifier
MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
Coin Identifier
MS 65
Coin Identifier
MS 66
—
Coin Identifier
MS 67
—
—
—
MS 68
—
—
—
MS 69
—
—
—
MS 70
—
—
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1819 Capped Bust Quarter — Large 9
The 1819 Large 9 is distinguished by a taller, more proportional "9" in the date that lines up better with the height of the surrounding numerals. Side-by-side comparison with a Small 9 makes the difference obvious.
Struck only at Philadelphia with no mintmark, this variety uses the same large-diameter Capped Bust design. USA Coin Book estimates place a G4 example at $164.00, an MS60 at $6,266.00, and an MS63 at $12,162.00 — the highest guide figure among 1819 quarters at that grade level.
These are retail guide estimates, not guaranteed purchase prices.
Coin Value Lookup is a handy starting point if you want to compare this quarter's guide values against other Capped Bust dates or denominations. It keeps coin guides organized so you can look things up without digging through a dozen sites.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
—
Coin Identifier FR FR 2
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Coin Identifier AG AG 3
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Coin Identifier G G 4
Coin Identifier
G 6
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
Coin Identifier
VG 10
Coin Identifier F F 12
Coin Identifier
F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
Coin Identifier
VF 25
Coin Identifier
VF 30
Coin Identifier
VF 35
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
—
Coin Identifier
AU 53
Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
—
Coin Identifier
MS 61
—
Coin Identifier
MS 62
—
Coin Identifier
MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
—
Coin Identifier
MS 65
Coin Identifier
MS 66
—
—
—
MS 67
—
—
—
MS 68
—
—
—
MS 69
—
—
—
MS 70
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—
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