The Capped Bust Quarter was first minted during 1815. This coin features, like the other coins of the time and before it, Lady Liberty on its obverse side, where she is facing left and flanked by 13 stars – 6 on the right side and 7 stars on the left. Along with that, it has the words LIBERTY printed on her mobcap which holds her hair. The year when it was minted was displayed at the bottom of the coin in a slightly off-center fashion.

On the reverse side of the coin, the eagle which has a Union Shield on its breast is depicted. The eagle is found clutching 3 arrows in its right claw as well as an olive branch on its left claw. The value of the coin, which 25 C or 25 CENTS, appears at the bottom of the coin. The words – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is found arcing along the top coupled with the words E PLURIBUS UNUM printed on a ribbon which is located right above the eagle.

As for the minting of the previously utilized Draped Bust design and the Capped Bust Design, there was a seven year gap. Why? Simply because between the years 1808 until 1814 the US Mint didn’t produce even a quarter because of the unbelievably low demand for it. It wasn’t until 1815 when the Capped Bust Quarter Dollar was created…when the banks ordered for the denomination and the demand for it steadily increased.

The Capped Bust Quarter’s design was altered back in 1828 – this change removed the ribbon which was found on the coin’s reverse side. The Capped Bust design…along with the Capped Bust Quarter, after more than 20 years of being minted and circulated ceased production in 1838.

All Draped Bust coins have the same obverse. Robert Scot, who is the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1793-1829, transformed the portrait of society lady, which was designed by Gilbert Stuart, into a Buxom Ms. Liberty. Some believe that this woman is a Philadelphia socialite who goes by the name of Ann Willing Bingham. This Lady Liberty stayed as it was…unchanged for the years to come. There is one exception though – and that is the extra curl which was added to her flowing locks, which came to be in 1798.

The Draped Bust Quarter, along with the other Draped Bust coins, has 3 basic reverse designs. First, for copper coins, it features the value of the coin (it’s either half cent or one cent) surrounded by a wreath or vine. Along with that, it has the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircling the headdress. During the years 1795-1797, the second reverse design appeared, which is a skinny and naturalistic bald eagle. This small eagle was shown at the reverse side of the Draped Bust Quarter.

Just in case you don’t know, the Small Eagle demanded a lot of value and price due to the low mintage during the time. However, when 1798 came, the Small Eagle was replaced with the Heraldic Eagle, which marked the third reverse design of the Draped Bust Quarter along with the other Draped Bust coins. The renowned 1804 Silver Dollar contains this Heraldic Eagle Design along with the Kennedy Half Dollar of 1964 (which is located on the coin’s reverse).

The well-struck coins of this series are the most sought after and the focus is on Liberty’s head. The “Full Head” or those will great detail, coins bring high money but attention should be given to the rivets on the shield. Finding a coin with a Full Head and full rivets is a very valuable find. The Mintmarks D and S on this type that stand for Denver and San Francisco are on the front just to the left of and above the date. The M that is to the right of the date is the initial of the designer.

Without a doubt the key series for the collector is the 1916 coin. Only 52,000 were minted, making this quite rare. Collectors and the public hoarded this coin. A G4 grade 1916 Standing Liberty fetches $3,500 to date.

The Seated Liberty quarter has seen many changes during its existence from 1838 through 1891. The design of this coin was done by Christian Gobrecht, based on a drawing by artist Thomas Sully. The main difference in the design is the extra fabric present at Liberty’s elbow. The quarter dollars that were dated 1838, 1839 and 1840 do not have the extra fabric, while the coins dated 1840 through 1891 do.

The eagle design on the reverse with wings partially raised is facing left. It holds an olive branch in its right claw and three arrows in its left. Arrows represented being prepared and olive branches symbolize peace and are the international emblem of friendship.

There were different kinds of arrows used in 1853 when they were placed on both sides of the date and in 1866 a new design element was added with IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse. Baptist minister Mark R. Watkison is credited with the motto when he wrote to the Secretary of Treasury suggesting the US coins should bear some recognition of God. Not all 1866 Seated Liberty quarters had the motto.

There are many rarities in the Seated Liberty series that makes it nearly impossible to obtain a complete set by date and mint, even among the circulated grades. The most desirable coins are the ones with original surfaces, meaning coins that have never been cleaned.

This series of quarter dollar coins were minted from 1892 through 1916 and consists of 74 regular issues with no significant varieties.

There have been a total of 15,315 Barber quarters certified as mint state found to date of the 264 million produced. This series has many rarities as 28 different dates have a population of less than ten in MS65 or better condition. The challenge of this set is well known, but many collectors attempt to take it on. The 1901 Barber Quarter is the key date and the rarest issue minor US coin in the 20th Century. The 1901 is very valuable in all grades. There were just two dies made to mint this date and they have specific date and mintmark positions.