1796 Draped Bust, Small Eagle

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1796 Draped Bust, Small Eagle
DESIGNED BY: Robert Scot
ISSUE DATE: 1796
COMPOSITION: 0.8924 part silver, 0.1076 part copper
DIAMETER: 27.5 mm
WEIGHT: 104 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 6,146
PROOF MINT: None

The year 1796 was the first year the Quarter was minted. To find one in any condition is truly momentous, but be careful when examining the highest grade in this coin. While some catalogs offer this coin as a Proof, there is no evidence Proof coins were ever stuck. There are several dozen prooflike coins in existence.

The obverse features Miss Liberty facing right, with flowing hair and a ribbon behind her head, with drapery covering a plunging neckline. LIBERTY is above and the date 1796 is below. Eight stars are to the left and seven to the right. Around the border are prominent denticles. The reverse has an open wreath tied with a bow at the bottom, enclosing a small eagle perched on a cloud. UNITED STATES OF AMERI- CA surrounds. There is no indication of value or denomination.

Examples of 1796 quarters are found in all grades, with those from About Good to Fine being most often seen. Probably several hundred survive. Very Fine coins are scarce, Extremely Fine pieces are scarcer yet, and AU or better examples are seldom met with.

1804-1807 Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1804-1807 Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle
DESIGNED BY: Robert Scot
ISSUE DATE: 1804-1807
COMPOSITION: 0.8924 part silver, 0.1076 part copper
DIAMETER: 27.5 mm
WEIGHT: 104 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 554,900
PROOF MINT: None

Perhaps the most inviting change in this design as compared to the first Quarter dollar minted in 1796, is the replacing of the scrawny eagle on the reverse with the Great Seal of the United States. Now that's an Eagle we can all be proud of. The obverse design, however, maintained the same design as the 1796 Quarter. With nearly 1,000 times as many of these dates produced as the 1796 series, it will be easier to find one of these coins in a more pristine condition. Here it becomes slightly more evident that Miss Liberty was not as modest as the drapery or gown covering her low neckline, are actually quite revealing.

Examples of the 1804-1807 years are readily located in grades from About Good through Very Fine. Extremely Fine pieces are elusive, AU pieces are rare, and Uncirculated pieces are exceedingly rare. Virtually without exception, issues of this design are lightly struck in one or more areas, with the obverse and reverse rims, the stars on the obverse, and the stars above the eagle on the reverse being typical areas of light impression. The same situation is shared with the half dimes, dimes, half dollars of this date range.

1815-1828 Capped Bust, Large Diameter

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1815-1828 Capped Bust, Large Diameter
DESIGNED BY: John Reich
ISSUE DATE: 1815-1828
COMPOSITION: 0.8924 part silver, 0.1076 part copper
DIAMETER: 27 mm
WEIGHT: 104 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 1,290,584
PROOF MINT: Fewer than 100

Coinage of Quarter Dollars was suspended after 1807 and did not resume until this issue. For whatever reason, the style of the reverse changed from the Great Seal of the United States as in the previous style, to the style used on the first 1796 Quarter. The scrawny eagle of 1796 made its way back into the pockets of Americans. Appearing to be a digression in design, one can only speculate the reason for such an effort. Note this is the first year of Proof mintage of the quarter. Perhaps the designers, in their wisdom, wanted to make an effort to preserve, for history sake, the original design.

The obverse depicts Miss Liberty facing left, wearing a cloth cap secured with a band inscribed LIBERTY, with tresses flowing to her shoulder. Her plunging neckline is draped in cloth and is secured by a brooch or a clasp at the shoulder. Seven stars are to the left and six are to the right. The date is below. The reverse shows an eagle perched on a branch and holding three arrows, a shield on its breast, and E PLURIBUS UNUM on a scroll above. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and 25 C. appear around the border.

1831-1838 Capped Bust, Small Diameter

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1831-1838 Capped Bust, Small Diameter
DESIGNED BY: William Kneass (after John Reich)
ISSUE DATE: 1831-1838
COMPOSITION: 0.8924 part silver, 0.1076 part copper
DIAMETER: 24.3 mm
WEIGHT: 104 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 4,202,400
PROOF MINT: Fewer than 150

In the years 1829 and 1830, there was no coinage of Quarters. This fact is made more poignant by the knowledge that Half Dollars, of the same era, were produced by the tens of millions. Maybe, we will learn that in years to come, this peculiar lack of Quarters was realized and mintage numbers will increase dramatically.

The 1831-1838 version is of smaller diameter and has restyled features, letters, stars, and numerals, giving the piece a more cameo-like appearance than its predecessor. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty facing left, wearing a cloth cap secured by a band inscribed LIBERTY, with tresses flowing to her shoulder. Her neckline is draped in a gown secured by a brooch or clasp. Seven stars are to the left and six to the right. The date is below; the reverse shows an eagle perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and 25 C. below.

The type set collector has his choice of any date from 1831 through 1838, as all are priced approximately the same in the market, although certain dates, 1835 in particular, are more plentiful than others. Examples are readily found in grades from Very Good through Extremely Fine. AU coins are scarcer, and pieces designated as Uncirculated are rare. Higher echelon Uncirculated pieces are very elusive.

1838-1865 Liberty Seated

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1838-1865 Liberty Seated
DESIGNED BY: Christian Gobrecht
ISSUE DATE: 1838-1865
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 24.3 mm
WEIGHT: 103.125 grains 1838 to 1853 no arrows; 96 grains later
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 46,685,313
PROOF MINT: fewer than 5,500

This is the first Quarter minted in exact proportion of 90% silver and 10% copper. In addition, the overall weight of this Quarter began to shrink as the Mint got chincy with the supply of silver. Note the 103.125 grains of total weight is down from 104 grains in prior issues. Making the issue of weight even more noteworthy, is the reduction of total weight in issues beginning in 1856. No coins were struck in 1854 or 1855.

Also, as if to make up for a tremendous lack of Quarters in circulation, the mint produced more than ten times the number of coins in this period than the prior. The year 1838 marked the first year for the Liberty Seated design in the Quarter. Matching other new silver designs of the time, the quarter dollar depicts Miss Liberty seated on a rock, her left hand holding a liberty cap on a pole and her right holding a shield inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars are at the border, and the date is below. The reverse is somewhat similar to the proceeding, except the denomination is expressed differently. An eagle is perched on an olive branch and holds three arrows. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above and the denomination QUAR. DOL. is below. There is no motto on the reverse. Early issues lack drapery at Miss Liberty's elbow. From 1853 through 1855 special varieties with arrows at date were made and are different types.

1866-1891 With Motto

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1866-1891 With Motto
DESIGNED BY: Christian Gobrecht
ISSUE DATE: 1866-1891
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 24.3 mm
WEIGHT: 96 grains 1866 to 1873 no arrows; 96.45 grains later
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 72,680,181
PROOF MINT: 20,923

After a period of years where the Treasury was intent on decreasing the weight of certain coins due to hoarding, it is curious to note the weight of this coin increased slightly over its predecessor. It contains precisely 2.5 times the silver of a Dime and a total of 6.25 grams. One could speculate that an attempt to standardize weights in grams was underway.

In 1866 the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse of the Liberty Seated quarter dollar. The Liberty Seated obverse in combination with the eagle reverse with added motto was continued in use through 1891. A distinctly different type is represented by certain issues of 1873 and in quarter dollars of 1874 with arrows at the date. Mintage was continuous from 1866 through 1891 at the Philadelphia Mint. In addition, the San Francisco and Carson City mints produced many coins. There are a number of rarities within the span, with top honors being held by the 1873-CC (variety without arrows at date) of which just two specimens are known to exist.

The type set collector will have no difficulty acquiring an example of one of the common dates in this span in grades from Good through Very Fine. Liberty Seated quarters of this era are much scarcer than contemporary dimes and are slightly scarcer than half dollars. Extremely Fine pieces can be found with some searching, AU coins are scarcer, Uncirculated pieces are scarcer yet, and superb Uncirculated pieces are rare. Proofs are available in proportion to the original mintages.

1873-1874 With Arrows

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1873-1874 With Arrows
DESIGNED BY: Christian Gobrecht
ISSUE DATE: 1873-1874
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 24.3 mm
WEIGHT: 96.45 grains (6.25 grams)
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 2,302,822
PROOF MINT: 1,240

In 1873 the authorized weight of the Quarter Dollar was raised from 96 grains to 96.25 grains, the latter figure equaling 6.25 grams. To signify the new standard, arrows were added to the date of quarter dollars produced later in 1873 and all quarter dollars produced in 1874. The arrows were used only temporarily to call attention to the weight change. After 1874 the arrows were no longer used. Otherwise, the Liberty Seated design, with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse, is the same as that used from 1866 through 1891.

Examples of this type are readily available in grades from Good through Fine, although specimens are considerably scarcer than the related dimes of the same years. Very Fine pieces are scarce, Extremely Fine coins are quite scarce, AU pieces are rare, Uncirculated pieces are rarer yet, and superb Uncirculated pieces are very rare. Proofs are encountered now and then, in keeping with their original mintages.

1892-1916 Barber

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1892-1916 Barber
DESIGNED BY: Charles E. Barber
ISSUE DATE: 1892-1916
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 24.3 mm
WEIGHT: 96.45 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 264,670,880
PROOF MINT 17,299:

Next time you are at Grandma's house, ask her if she has any old coins. It's possible that some of these coins, struck in massive quantity, can still be found in Grandma and Grandpa's coin stash. Charles E. Barber's Liberty Head motif, commonly referred to as the "Barber" style, was used on quarter dollars from 1892 through 1916. The obverse motif of Miss Liberty is similar to that found on the dime and half dollar and features her facing to the right, her hair in a Phrygian cap, wearing a laurel wreath, with LIBERTY on a small band above her forehead. Six stars are to the left and seven to the right, IN GOD WE TRUST is above, and the date is below. The reverse is an adaptation of the Great Seal of the United States and depicts a heraldic eagle holding in its talons an olive branch and arrows. Above the eagle is a galaxy of 13 stars. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and QUARTER DOLLAR surround.

Very Fine coins are scarce, and Extremely Fine pieces are quite scarce, at least in the context of more recent issues. AU and Uncirculated pieces are scarcer yet, and superb Uncirculated coins are rare. Proofs were produced of all years from 1892 through 1915 (but not 1916) and are available in proportion to their original mintage.

1916-1917

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1916-1917
DESIGNED BY: Hermon A. MacNeil
ISSUE DATE: 1916-1917
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 23.4 mm
WEIGHT: 96.45 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 12,253,200
PROOF MINT: None

The 1916 coin is, by far, the more rare of two years. Only 52,000 were made in 1916 and well over 10,000,000 in 1917. The design was far ahead of its time, as Miss Liberty appeared partially nude. Hermon A. MacNeil, a well-known sculptor, produced this new design, replacing the familiar Barber motif. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty standing in a gateway, her right breast exposed, wearing a gown, holding a branch in her right hand and a shield in her left. Perhaps the designer was intending to portray the seduction of Freedom as immigrants began pouring into this country in search of everything Miss Liberty stood for. LIBERTY is in an arc above, while IN GOD WE TRUST is lettered on the wall or parapet to each side of where she stands. The date is on a pedestal beneath her feet. The reverse shows an eagle flying to the right, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM above, with QUARTER DOLLAR below. Seven stars are to the left and six to the right.

While examples of the 1916 date are rare, the type set collector desiring a Standing Liberty quarter of 1917 will have no difficulty in acquiring one from any desired grade from Good through AU. Uncirculated pieces are fairly scarce, while superb Uncirculated coins are very elusive. Unlike their later counterparts, Type I quarters are usually sharply struck at Miss Liberty's head and on the shield. Most Uncirculated pieces possess full details.

1917-1930 Standing Liberty, Type II

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1917-1930 Standing Liberty, Type II
DESIGNED BY: Hermon A. MacNeil
ISSUE DATE: 1917-1930
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 23A mm
WEIGHT: 96.45 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 214,516,400
PROOF MINT: None

It is obvious the designer of this Type and the previous Type took criticism of his design very personally. In the previous type, Miss Liberty was partially nude with her right breast exposed. Public outcry forced a change in mid 1917. In this year two types were produced. Type II, however, was a drastic departure from the design of Type I. Here, as though in a defiant response, MacNeil clad Miss Liberty in a suit of armor or mail. MacNeil challenged the public to disapprove, but no known complaints were registered. The design lived until 1930.

The date, high on the pedestal below Miss Liberty, was continued in this position, but later, in 1925, this portion of the coin was recessed, to minimize the effects of wear. The reverse was restyled in 1917 and in its new form the eagle is higher and more centered on the coin, with three stars below the eagle and five to each side. The collector will have no difficulty acquiring specimens of commoner dates of the 1917-1930 era in any desired condition from Good to AU. Uncirculated pieces are readily found, particularly of dates from 1925 through 1930. Uncirculated pieces with sharply struck details at Miss Liberty's head and also on the highest part of the shield are quite elusive.

1932-1964 Washington, Silver

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1932-1964 Washington, Silver
DESIGNED BY: John Flanagan
ISSUE DATE: 1932-1964
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 24.3 mm
WEIGHT: 96.45 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 3,780,077,001
PROOF MINT: 19,911,592

Even non-collectors today realize that 1964 was the last date silver quarters were produced. Today even coins of indistinguishable date are worth 4 to 5 times their original face value. Bags of junk coins are readily available in these dates. What few people know, is the date 1932 was George Washington's 200th birthday. Often referred to as the father of our country, George was finally immortalized in coin.

The new design was as a result of competition. AS was often the case, a well-known sculptor of the day won the honor. The obverse of the Washington quarter dollar shows the head of Washington, modeled after a bust by Houdon, facing left, with LIBERTY above, IN GOD WE TRUST to the left, and the date below. The reverse shows a modernistic perched eagle, with a wreath below and E PLURIBUS UNUM above. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and QUARTER DOLLAR inscriptions are at the borders. In silver alloy the type was minted continuously from 1932 to 1964, with the exception of 1933.

The type set collector can readily obtain a later date in the series for low cost, in any desired condition from well-worn to superb Uncirculated. In addition, Proofs are available of the years 1936 through 1942 and 1950 through 1964.

1853 Arrows and Rays

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1853 Arrows and Rays
DESIGNED BY: Christian Gobrecht
ISSUE DATE: 1853
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 24.3 mm
WEIGHT: 96 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 16,542,000
PROOF MINT: Fewer than 10

As with the half dime and dime, the quarter dollar were reduced in weight from 103.125 grains to 96 grains in 1853. To signify this, arrows were placed to the left and right of the date and rays were added to the reverse. The ray were used only in 1853 therefore creating a one year type coin.

1854-1855 Arrows Only

COIN NAME: QUARTER DOLLAR 1854-1855 Arrows Only
DESIGNED BY: Christian Gobrecht
ISSUE DATE: 1854-1855
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 24.3 mm
WEIGHT: 96 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 17,293,400
PROOF MINT: Fewer than 140

The Liberty Seated Quarter with arrows at date and ray on the reverse design was modified in 1854 by dropping the rays on the reverse but retaining the obverse arrows. Otherwise the type is essentially the same as produced from 1838 through early 1853. Coins were struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco mints, the latter mint began production in 1855.