1806 Draped Bust Quarter Value Guide

The 1806 Draped Bust Quarter is a cornerstone of early American numismatics, designed by Robert Scot during the formative years of the Philadelphia Mint. These coins are highly collectible as they represent a period when the United States faced chronic currency shortages, resulting in most surviving examples showing significant honest circulation wear.

What affects the value of 1806 Draped Bust Quarter?

• Overall grade and preservation, with even heavily worn examples fetching between $190 and $210.
• Surface quality, specifically the absence of harsh cleaning, scratches, or environmental damage common to early silver.
• The presence of specific die varieties, such as the 'Normal 6' versus the '6 over 5' overdate.
• Eye appeal of the toning, as original grey or 'circulated cameo' surfaces are preferred by collectors over bright, dipped coins.

How to Identify 1806 Draped Bust Quarter?

• Verify the 89.2% silver and 10.8% copper composition characteristic of early federal coinage.
• Look for the distinct Draped Bust obverse design and the Heraldic Eagle reverse used between 1796 and 1807.
• Check for the 1806 date centered below the bust, noting that many examples will show heavy wear on the hair details and stars.
• Confirm the absence of a mint mark, as all 1806 quarters were struck at the original Philadelphia Mint.

History of 1806 Draped Bust Quarter

Designed by Robert Scot, the Draped Bust Quarter was only produced intermittently between 1796 and 1807. The 1806 issue is a classic early American silver coin from the inaugural years of the United States Mint in Philadelphia. These coins circulated heavily during a time when the young nation faced chronic shortages of small change.