Coin Collecting Guide for Beginners Logo
Coin Collecting a Guide for Beginners Header

US Quarters

US Quarters, with a denomination of twenty five cents, or a quarter of a dollar, were authorized for minting in 1792, however the first quarter coins were not issued until 1796.

These early silver quarters, like the half dimes and dimes of the same period, were not marked with a value. It was 1804 before the value "25c" was added to the reverse of these quarter coins.

In 1838, the denomination was abbreviated as "QUAR. DOL." and beginning in 1892, the value was spelled out entirely - "QUARTER DOLLAR".

Listed below are the US Quarters along with an image and a short description. More information and stats will be added in the near future.



Draped Bust Quarter
click to enlarge
Draped Bust Quarter
  • Bust Quarter (1796-1838) - These early silver quarters were made of a composition of .8924 silver and .1076 copper.

    Designed by Robert Scot, the first Chief Engraver of the United States Mint (1793-1823), these US Quarters had a weight of 6.74 grams and a diameter of 24.3 mm.

    They were all minted in Philadelphia and have no mint mark.

    There are two major types of Bust Quarters:
    Capped Bust Quarter
    click to enlarge
    Capped Bust Quarter

    • Draped Bust (1796-1807) - includes the Small Eagle reverse variety (1796) as well as the Heraldic Eagle reverse (1804-1807).
      (Click the image on the upper right to see it larger.)
    • Capped Bust (1815-1828) - includes the large diameter variety (1815-1838) and a reduced diameter variety (1831-1838).
      (Click the image on the right to see it larger.)




    Liberty Seated Quarter
    click to enlarge
    Liberty Seated Quarter
  • Liberty Seated Quarter (1838-1891) - These 10% copper and 90% silver quarters have a diameter of 24.3 mm.

    The weight was changed a few times over the life of the coin ranging from 6.68 to 6.22 grams.

    They have a reeded edge and were minted at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco and Carson City Mints.

    The mint mark is located on the reverse below the eagle.

    There are several varieties of the Liberty Seated Quarter.





  • Barber or Liberty Head (1892-1916) - Charles E. Barber designed these silver quarters as well as other silver coins of this type. You can find his initial, 'B', at the truncation of the neck of LIBERTY.
    Barber or Liberty Head Quarter
    click to enlarge
    Barber or Liberty Head Quarter

    These US Quarters are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper and have of weight of 6.25 grams.

    They have a diameter of 24.3 mm with a reeded edge and were minted at four United States Mints. These include:

    • Philadelphia
    • Denver
    • New Orleans
    • San Francisco




  • Standing Liberty Quarter (1916-1930) - The Standing Liberty type of US Quarters was designed by Hermon A. MacNeil and also had a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper and weighed 6.25 grams. You can find the initials of the designer above and to the right of the date.
    Standing Liberty Quarter
    click to enlarge
    Standing Liberty Quarter

    There was an interesting change to the coin in 1917 to cover LIBERTY's exposed breast. Changes were also made to the reverse of the coin at this time.

    1925 once again saw a change in the coin, when the date was set into a depression because of problems with the dates of the earlier coins wearing off easily.

    The Standing Liberty Quarter has two varieties and was produced at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.





  • Washington Quarter (1932 to date) - The Washington type of US quarters was actually intended to be a commemorative issue to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington.
    Washington Quarter
    click to enlarge
    Washington Quarter

    It was designed by a New York sculptor by the name of John Flanagan. His initials 'JF' can be found at the base of Washington's neck.

    Early issues, 1932-1964, were silver quarters weighing 6.25 grams and were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. With a diameter of 24.3 mm and a reeded edge, these early silver quarters were minted in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.

    Washington quarters dated 1965 to date are clad coinage with an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel and an inner core of pure copper. They weigh 5.67 grams with a diameter of 24.3 mm and a reeded edge.

    Other varieties of the Washington Quarter include:


    • Bicentennial Quarter (1976) - The Bicentennial Quarter commemorates the 200th anniversary of the independence of the United States. Half dollar and dollar bicentennial coins were also issued during this time.
      Bicentennial Quarter
      click to enlarge
      Bicentennial Quarter

      Actual minting of the Bicentennial coins occured in both 1975 and 1976, however since all coins bear a dual date of 1776-1976, it is impossible to tell which coins were minted in 1975.

      The designer of the reverse of the Bicentennial Quarter was Jack L. Ahr who won a contest put on by the U.S. Treasury Department. As the winner of the design for the bicentennial quarter, Mr. Ahr received $5000.

      John Flanagan's design from earlier issues was continued on the obverse or front of the bicentennial quarter with the exception of the dual date - 1776-1976.

      These quarters have the same composition, weight and size as other Washington quarters dated 1965 and after, as mentioned above, however they were also minted in a 40% silver version.

    State Quarter
    click to enlarge
    US State Quarters
    • State Quarter (1999-2008) - US Quarters commemorating each of the 50 United States of America were issued beginning in 1999, with five state quarters issued each year until 2008. They were issued in the order in which each state joined the union. Each state designed the reverse of a coin according to guidelines set out in the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act.
      Find out more and see more images...........

    • image coming soon
    • America the Beautiful State Quarter (2010-????) - Beginning in 2010, new state quarters that depict National Parks and other historic sites of the United States add 56 new designs for collectors of state quarters to add to their collections. The quarters will be added at the rate of five per year just like the Statehood Quarters Program.
      Find out more...........




If you are interested in collecting US Quarters or State Quarters

You can find them at.....................

Your local bank - a great place for getting modern coins for your collection.

You can also find a large selection at.......................





What Would You Like To Do Now?


Return From US Quarters to US Coins

See Where the Mint Mark is located on US Coins

If You Can't Find What You Are Looking For....

Search This Site!

Custom Search




ANA Member Logo

Coin Collecting Guide for Beginners
Recommends







Surf Tip
When you see a word underlined in brown, like thisThis is an example of what to expect when you hover over words underlined in brown throughout this site., hover over it with your cursor to see the definition of that word.









Return to Coin Collecting Guide for Beginners Home




Search This Site
Or Choose a New Topic to Explore



Site Build It!


Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Copyright© 2008-2014 coin-collecting-guide-for-beginners.com

Template Design

free hit counter script