Commonly asked questions and answers.
What is the Liberty Seated Quarter?
The Liberty Seated Quarter is a U.S. quarter dollar coin that was minted from 1838 to 1891. It was designed by Christian Gobrecht, the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. The obverse features an image of Lady Liberty seated on a rock, while the reverse shows an eagle until 1866, when the national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" was added on a banner above the eagle.
What is the composition of the Liberty Seated Quarter?
The Liberty Seated Quarter is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. It has a diameter of 24.3 millimeters and weighs approximately 6.22 grams. This makes it slightly heavier than modern quarters due to its silver content.
How much is a Liberty Seated Quarter worth today?
The value of a Liberty Seated Quarter can vary widely depending on its condition, year, and mint mark. Because they are made of 90% silver, even heavily worn examples have a base value tied to the current silver price. However, specimens in better condition or from a desirable year or mint can be worth significantly more. Some rare and high-grade examples can be worth thousands of dollars. As with any coin, a precise valuation should be obtained from a professional coin grading service.
What is the composition of the United States quarter?
Current United States quarters, minted from 1965 onwards, are composed of a core of pure copper, with a layer of a nickel-copper alloy on the outside. This gives them their distinctive silver color. The composition is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. Prior to 1965, quarters were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
How many different designs of the United States quarter are there?
The United States quarter has undergone several design changes since its inception. The most significant modern program was the 50 State Quarters program, which ran from 1999 to 2008. Each quarter released during this period honored one of the U.S. states with a unique reverse design. This was followed by the D.C. and U.S. territories quarters in 2009. From 2010 onwards, the America the Beautiful Quarters program has released quarters featuring designs honoring national parks and other national sites.
Are all United States quarters the same size?
Yes, all U.S. quarters minted since 1828 are approximately the same size. They have a diameter of about 24.26 millimeters, a thickness of 1.75 millimeters, and a weight of 5.67 grams. The specifications have remained constant even as the design and composition of the quarter have changed over the years.
