Seated Liberty Quarter Value Guide

The Seated Liberty Quarter is a cornerstone of 19th-century American coinage, featuring Christian Gobrecht's neoclassical design of Liberty seated on a rock. Produced between 1840 and 1891, these 90% silver coins are highly collectible due to their historical connection to the antebellum era and numerous weight-adjustment varieties.

What Is Seated Liberty Quarter Worth?

The typical price range for Seated Liberty Quarter is $15 - $40 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of arrows at the date or rays around the eagle, which signify specific weight changes and production years.
• The overall strike quality and level of wear on high-relief areas like Liberty's knees and the eagle's breast feathers.
• The specific mint mark and year, as certain dates within the 1840-1891 range have significantly lower mintage numbers.
• The preservation of the coin's original silver luster and the absence of harsh cleaning or surface damage.

How to Identify Seated Liberty Quarter?

• Look for the obverse design featuring Liberty holding a shield and a pole topped with a Phrygian cap.
• Check the reverse for an eagle clutching a laurel wreath or shield, which varies depending on the specific mint year.
• Identify weight-adjustment varieties by looking for the presence of small arrows flanking the date on the obverse.
• Verify the composition is 90% silver and 10% copper with a diameter of approximately 24.3 millimeters.

History of Seated Liberty Quarter

The Seated Liberty quarter was produced by the United States Mint from 1838 to 1891. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse depicts Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield and pole with a Phrygian cap, while the reverse shows an eagle with a laurel wreath or shield depending on date. The design reflects antebellum American neoclassical tastes and was used across several denominations. Varieties include changes in stars, legends, and the addition of arrows at the date in some years to indicate weight adjustments.