US Quarter Dollars (1796-1891)

Numismatic Information, Coin Values and Images, page 1

This page describes all types of the US Quarter Dollars minted from 1796 through 1891, and includes their specifics, mintage records, key dates, coin values (in G-4, or AG-3, and EF-40 conditions) and images of a few types (not all) that were recovered at various locations in the North-East USA.

How To Distinguish a Silver Quarter from a Clad One

In 1964 US silver quarters were replaced by the clad coinage (composition consists of the outer layers of copper-nickel bonded to inner core of pure copper). If you are not sure whether you have a silver or a clad coin, look at the coin's edge. If it is uniformly all white metal, i.e. you do not see it half-colored in tones from red to dark brown, this is a silver coin. Dug silver coins always remain uncorroded, just tarnished a little.

The Clad Quarter is on Left

Distinguishing Silver Coin From Clad Coin By Its Edge Color

Authorized in 1792, the quarter dollar types were first minted in 1796. All US quarters have a diameter, 24-27 mm, similar to the diameter of a Spanish 2 Reales coin. Spanish reales were the principal coins of the American colonists, and were the forerunners of the US silver dollar and its fractional divisions.

US Washington Quarter Next to 2 Reales Coin

US Quarter and 2 Reales Coin

The first coinage follows the pattern of the early half dimes and dimes by the absence of a mark of value. The value "25c" was added to the reverse in 1804. Figures were used until 1838 when the term "QUAR. DOL." appeared. The value was spelled out entirely from 1892.

DRAPED BUST TYPE, Small Eagle Reverse, 1796

Specifications:

Diameter: 27.5 mm
Weight: 6.74 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper
Quantity minted: 6,146
Mint: Philadelphia
Designer: Robert Scot
• Average coin values: AG-3 - $1,850, EF-40 - $15,500

DRAPED BUST TYPE, Heraldic Eagle Reverse, 1804-1807

Quarter Dollar Draped Bust

Specifications:

Diameter: 27.5 mm
Weight: 6.74 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper
Quantity minted: 554,899
Mint: Philadelphia
Designer: Robert Scot

Key-Dates and Coin Values:

• 1804; AG-3: $525.00, EF-40: $7,525
Average coin values of other dates: AG-3 - $125.00, EF-40 - $1,800

CAPPED BUST TYPE, 1815 - 1838

VARIETY 1 - Large Size 1815-1828

US Quarter Dollar Capped Bust

Specifications:

Diameter: 27 mm
Weight: 6.74 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper
Quantity minted: 1,290,584
Mint: Philadelphia
Designer: John Reich

Key-Dates and Coin Values:

• 1822, 25 over 50; AG-3: $525.00, EF-40: $8,250
• 1823, 3 over 2; AG-3: $4,200, EF-40: $38,250
• 1827 Original (Curled base 2 in 25c); 4,000 minted MS-60: $60,000
• 1827 Restrike (Square base 2 in 25c); MS-60: $25,000
Average coin values of other dates: AG-3 - $25.00, EF-40 - $675.00

VARIETY 2 - Reduced Size, No Motto on Reverse 1831-1838

Specifications:

Diameter: 24.3 mm
Weight: 6.74 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper
Quantity minted: 4,202,400
Mint: Philadelphia
Designer: William Knease

Key-Dates and Coin Values:

• 1833; G-4: $45.00, EF-40: $285.00
Average coin values of other dates: G-4 - $40.00, EF-40 - $250.00

LIBERTY SEATED TYPE 1838-1891

Liberty Seated Quarter Variety 4

Mint marks on Liberty seated quarters are placed on the reverse below the eagle.

VARIETY 1 - No Motto Above Eagle 1838-1853

Specifications:

Diameter: 24.3 mm
Weight: 6.68 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper
Quantity minted: 9,962,333
Mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans
Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Key-Dates and Coin Values:

• 1840O Drapery; G-4: $22.00, EF-40: $265.00
• 1841; G-4: $45.00, EF-40: $235.00
• 1842 Small date (Proofs only); MS-60: $25,000
• 1842 Large date; G-4: $80.00, EF-40: $425.00
• 1842o Small date; G-4: $385.00, EF-40: $3,225
• 1842o Large date; G-4: $18.00, EF-40: $180.00
• 1843o; G-4: $18.00, EF-40: $250.00
• 1844o; G-4: $17.00, EF-40: $225.00
• 1847o; G-4: $22.00, EF-40: $250.00
• 1848; G-4: $28.00, EF-40: $245.00
• 1849; G-4: $18.00, EF-40: $165.00
• 1849O; G-4: $375.00, EF-40: $3,100
• 1850; G-4: $22.00, EF-40: $165.00
• 1850o; G-4: $28.00, EF-40: $150.00
• 1851; G-4: $28.00, EF-40: $175.00
• 1851o; G-4: $155.00, EF-40: $1,250
• 1852; G-4: $35.00, EF-40: $225.00
• 1852o; G-4: $180.00, EF-40: $1,350
• 1853 Recut date, no arrows or rays (beware of altered 1858); G-4: $180.00, EF-40: $675.00
Average coin values of other dates: G-4 - $17.00, EF-40 - $85.00

VARIETY 2 - Arrows at Date, Rays Around Eagle 1853 Only

The reduction in weight is indicated by the arrows at the date. The arrows were retained through 1855, but the rays were omitted after 1853.

VARIETY 3 - Arrows at Date, No Rays 1854-1855

VARIETY 1 Resumed 1856-1865

VARIETY 4 - Motto Above Eagle 1866-1873

The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse in 1866. As on the half dollar and silver dollar, the motto has been retained since that time.

Specifications:

Diameter: 24.3 mm
Weight: 6.22 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper
Quantity minted: 71,653,240
Mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City
Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Key-Dates and Coin Values:

• 1853, 3 over 4; G-4: $38.00, EF-40: $355.00
• 1854O Huge O; G-4: $80.00, EF-40: $675.00
• 1855O; G-4: $38.00, EF-40: $365.00
• 1855S; G-4: $35.00, EF-40: $325.00
• 1856S; G-4: $32.00, EF-40: $355.00
• 1856S S over S; G-4: $38.00, EF-40: $525.00
• 1857S; G-4: $55.00, EF-40: $580.00
• 1858S; G-4: $45.00, EF-40: $520.00
• 1859S; G-4: $80.00, EF-40: $725.00
• 1860S; G-4: $125.00, EF-40: $3,100
• 1861S; G-4: $55.00, EF-40: $725.00
• 1862S; G-4: $45.00, EF-40: $480.00
• 1864; G-4: $50.00, EF-40: $250.00
• 1864S; G-4: $225.00, EF-40: $1,800
• 1865; G-4: $45.00, EF-40: $275.00
• 1865S; G-4: $70.00, EF-40: $525.00
• 1866 Variety 3 Unique
• 1866 Variety 4; G-4: $250.00, EF-40: $775.00
• 1866S; G-4: $145.00, EF-40: $925.00
• 1867; G-4: $115.00, EF-40: $500.00
• 1867S; G-4: $130.00, EF-40: $675.00
• 1868; G-4: $95.00, EF-40: $325.00
• 1868S; G-4: $60.00, EF-40: $480.00
• 1869; G-4: $180.00, EF-40: $725.00
• 1869S; G-4: $65.00, EF-40: $480.00
• 1870; G-4: $45.00, EF-40: $225.00
• 1870CC; G-4: $1,650, EF-40: $15,100
• 1871CC; G-4: $1,150, EF-40: $12,100
• 1871S; G-4: $230.00, EF-40: $900.00
• 1872CC; G-4: $350.00, EF-40: $3,600
• 1872S; G-4: $375.00, EF-40: $1,850
• 1873 Closed 3 ; G-4: $80.00, EF-40: $525.00
• 1873 CC (5 known); MS-60: $150,000
Average coin values of other dates: G-4 - $15.00, EF-40 - $100.00

VARIETY 5 - Arrows at Date 1873-1874

Arrows were placed at the date in 1873 and 1874 to denote the change of weight from 6.22 to 6.25 grams.

VARIETY 4 Resumed 1875-1891

Specifications:

Diameter: 24.3 mm
Weight: 6.25 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper
Quantity minted: 73,910,326
Mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City
Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Key-Dates and Coin Values:

• 1873CC variety 5; G-4: $1,350, EF-40: $11,200
• 1875CC; G-4: $55.00, EF-40: $455.00
• 1875S; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $180.00
• 1876CC (with fine edge reading); G-4: $15.00, EF-40: $65.00
• 1879; G-4: $115.00, EF-40: $300.00
• 1880; G-4: $115.00, EF-40: $300.00
• 1881; G-4: $145.00, EF-40: $320.00
• 1882; G-4: $125.00, EF-40: $350.00
• 1883; G-4: $120.00, EF-40: $325.00
• 1884; G-4: $220.00, EF-40: $365.00
• 1885; G-4: $120.00, EF-40: $320.00
• 1886; G-4: $250.00, EF-40: $625.00
• 1887; G-4: $155.00, EF-40: $425.00
• 1888; G-4: $150.00, EF-40: $425.00
• 1889; G-4: $125.00, EF-40: $320.00
• 1890; G-4: $55.00, EF-40: $180.00
• 1891O; G-4: $125.00, EF-40: $765.00
Average coin values of other dates: G-4 - $16.00, EF-40 - $50.00

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Sources: Encyclopedia Of U.S. Coins by Mort Reed and The Official Red Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman.