QUARTER DOLLAR 1866-1891 With Motto
Description
After a period of years where the Treasury was intent on decreasing the weight of certain coins due to hoarding, it is curious to note the weight of this coin increased slightly over its predecessor. It contains precisely 2.5 times the silver of a Dime and a total of 6.25 grams. One could speculate that an attempt to standardize weights in grams was underway.
In 1866 the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse of the Liberty Seated quarter dollar. The Liberty Seated obverse in combination with the eagle reverse with added motto was continued in use through 1891. A distinctly different type is represented by certain issues of 1873 and in quarter dollars of 1874 with arrows at the date. Mintage was continuous from 1866 through 1891 at the Philadelphia Mint. In addition, the San Francisco and Carson City mints produced many coins. There are a number of rarities within the span, with top honors being held by the 1873-CC (variety without arrows at date) of which just two specimens are known to exist.
The type set collector will have no difficulty acquiring an example of one of the common dates in this span in grades from Good through Very Fine. Liberty Seated quarters of this era are much scarcer than contemporary dimes and are slightly scarcer than half dollars. Extremely Fine pieces can be found with some searching, AU coins are scarcer, Uncirculated pieces are scarcer yet, and superb Uncirculated pieces are rare. Proofs are available in proportion to the original mintages.
Valuation
- COIN NAME
- QUARTER DOLLAR 1866-1891 With Motto
- DESIGNED BY
- Christian Gobrecht
- ISSUE DATE
- 1866-1891
- COMPOSITION
- 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
- DIAMETER
- 24.3 mm
- WEIGHT
- 96 grains 1866 to 1873 no arrows; 96.45 grains later
- EDGE
- Reeded
- BUS MINT
- 72,680,181
- PROOF MINT
- 20,923
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