Market Deep Dive: Liberty Seated Quarters

Liberty Seated Quarters were produced from 1838 to 1891. We have Christian Gobrecht to thank for the fabulous Liberty Seated device on the obverse of the quarter and bald eagle reverse design. Gobrecht’s Liberty Seated design would be employed on many U.S. silver coin types struck during the 19th century.

The type saw two major variations over the course of its 54-year run. When the Liberty Seated Quarter debuted, it was sans “IN GOD WE TRUST,” with the motto appearing on the coin approximately midway through the series run in 1866. There are also several varieties within the series, including the 1838 and 1839 No Drapery design, the 1853 Arrows and Rays design, the 1854 and 1855 With Arrows design, and the 1873 and 1874 With Arrows design.

The Liberty Seated Quarter was struck at four different U.S. Mint locations: Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, and San Francisco. While the series was produced from the start in Philadelphia and New Orleans, the later Carson City and San Francisco issues were somewhat sporadic in mintage and issuance.

The vast Liberty Seated Quarter series offers collectors the ultimate numismatic challenge. As can be seen within the price chart that follows, reviewing prices for just business-strike examples, there are many issues m that cost thousands of dollars in circulated grades.

Early issues of most Liberty Seated Quarters in uncirculated grades are all scarce. New Orleans issues usually saw smaller mintages and often met heavier circulation than their Philadelphia cousins. This is also true for many of the early San Francisco issues and most of the Carson City emissions. The highlight of the series is the 1873-CC No Arrows, with just five specimens known.