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The United States quarter dollar was authorized by the original Mint Act of April 2, 1792, the
Act which created the federal coinage and established the United States Mint. Based on the
Spanish "bit" (12 1/2 cents), which circulated widely during America's early years, the
quarter, popularly known as "two bits" was and still is among the most commonly used
denominations. Since its inception in 1796, quarter dollar coinage has included a number of
rare and interesting issues. Early issues 1815-1828 are of the Capped Bust style, followed in
1831-1838 by a smaller-diameter version of the same essential design.
The Liberty Seated design, produced from 1838 through 1891, contains a number of rare
issues, including the 1842 with Small Date numerals (this variety was issued only as part of
the relatively few Proof sets issued this year - 1842 quarters made for circulation had larger
date numerals), 1849-0, 1853/2 without arrows and rays, and the Carson City issues from
1870 to 1873. Philadelphia Mint quarters from 1879 to 1889 were made in limited numbers,
as were half dollars of the same decade, for the facilities of the Mint were severely taxed by
the immense coinage of silver dollars made in response to the Bland-Allison Act.
In 1916 the Standing Liberty quarter dollar appeared, a design that elicited much favorable
commentary. In 1932, this motif was replaced by the Washington quarter, by sculptor John
Flanagan, a design that has continued to the present time.
Act which created the federal coinage and established the United States Mint. Based on the
Spanish "bit" (12 1/2 cents), which circulated widely during America's early years, the
quarter, popularly known as "two bits" was and still is among the most commonly used
denominations. Since its inception in 1796, quarter dollar coinage has included a number of
rare and interesting issues. Early issues 1815-1828 are of the Capped Bust style, followed in
1831-1838 by a smaller-diameter version of the same essential design.
The Liberty Seated design, produced from 1838 through 1891, contains a number of rare
issues, including the 1842 with Small Date numerals (this variety was issued only as part of
the relatively few Proof sets issued this year - 1842 quarters made for circulation had larger
date numerals), 1849-0, 1853/2 without arrows and rays, and the Carson City issues from
1870 to 1873. Philadelphia Mint quarters from 1879 to 1889 were made in limited numbers,
as were half dollars of the same decade, for the facilities of the Mint were severely taxed by
the immense coinage of silver dollars made in response to the Bland-Allison Act.
In 1916 the Standing Liberty quarter dollar appeared, a design that elicited much favorable
commentary. In 1932, this motif was replaced by the Washington quarter, by sculptor John
Flanagan, a design that has continued to the present time.
Twenty cent and Seated Quarter ( 1838-1891)
TWENTY CENT and SEATED QUARTER
Reference Works
Briggs, Larry. The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Quarters. Lima, OH: Larry Briggs Rare Coins, 1991.
Browning, A.W. The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States 1796-1838. Revised edition updated by Walter H. Breen with the
collaboration of Robert W. Miller, Sr., edited by Michael Hodder, foreword by Q. David Bowers. Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena
Galleries, Inc., 1992.
Cline, J.H. Standing Liberty Quarters. Revised edition. Pine Harbor, FL: 1986, published by the author.
Lawrence, David. The Complete Guide to Barber Quarters. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1989.
Briggs, Larry. The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Quarters. Lima, OH: Larry Briggs Rare Coins, 1991.
Browning, A.W. The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States 1796-1838. Revised edition updated by Walter H. Breen with the
collaboration of Robert W. Miller, Sr., edited by Michael Hodder, foreword by Q. David Bowers. Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena
Galleries, Inc., 1992.
Cline, J.H. Standing Liberty Quarters. Revised edition. Pine Harbor, FL: 1986, published by the author.
Lawrence, David. The Complete Guide to Barber Quarters. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1989.