U.S. Mint coin reference

1838-1891 Liberty Seated Quarter

Liberty Seated quarters ran for decades and include multiple subtypes.

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Coin specifications and design

Years made: 1838-1891

Country: United States

Denomination: Quarter dollar

Category: Circulating coin

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Silver fineness: 90%

Silver weight: 0.1933 oz ASW at 6.68 g; 0.1800 oz ASW at 6.22 g; 0.1808 oz ASW at 6.25 g

Weight: 6.68 g through 1853 No Arrows; 6.22 g from 1853 Arrows through 1873 No Arrows; 6.25 g beginning with 1873 Arrows

Diameter: 24.3 mm

Thickness: Approx. 1.75 mm

Edge: Reeded

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Design identification

Obverse: Liberty seated on a rock holding shield and pole.

Liberty Seated Quarter history

The Liberty Seated quarter was introduced in 1838 and used Christian Gobrecht’s seated Liberty motif for more than fifty years. Changes to the design tracked important shifts in U.S. coinage, including drapery modifications, arrows and rays associated with weight changes, and the addition of IN GOD WE TRUST in the 1860s. The quarter was struck at Philadelphia and several branch mints, producing many scarce dates and varieties. The type was retired after 1891 in favor of Charles Barber’s new quarter design.