Christian Gobrecht’s Liberty Seated design reached the quarter dollar in 1838 and ran for 53 years, through 1891. The obverse shows Liberty seated holding a shield and liberty cap; over its long life the design gained drapery (1840), arrows and rays, and finally the motto IN GOD WE TRUST — changes that give collectors several distinct types.
Key facts
- Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
- Issue dates: 1838–1891
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Diameter: 24.3 mm
- Weight: ~6.22 grams (after the 1853 weight reduction)
- Edge: Reeded
The series breaks into five design types: No Motto (1838–1853, 1856–1865), Arrows and Rays (1853 only, a one-year type), Arrows at Date, No Motto (1854–1855), With Motto (1866–1873, 1875–1891, after IN GOD WE TRUST was added), and Arrows at Date with Motto (1873–1874). Any one satisfies a basic type set; the Arrows and Rays and Arrows types are the scarcer ones.
A complete date-and-mintmark set is a real challenge. The Carson City (CC) issues are both rare and costly, and other key dates include the 1849-O, 1860-S, 1864-S, and 1872-S.
We actively buy Seated Liberty quarters in every grade, from well-worn type coins to rare CC and S-mint dates and choice Proofs. Send photos for a free, no-obligation offer.