Barber Quarter Values

"O" Mintmark: New Orleans Mint

Over the years 1892 to 1909 New Orleans mint produced a steady supply of Barber quarters. Typical numbers of coins were 2 to 3 million per year totaling over 49 million for the series. Collectors often focus on the New Orleans variety as a set and one date 1909 the last year from the mint is the key, scarce issue. After years of million plus production, 1909's mintage dropped to 712,000, creating a valuable Barber quarter.

Mintmark "O" indicating the New Orleans mint is on the reverse below the eagle.

"S" Mintmark: San Francisco Mint

San Francisco mint production of quarters was both sporadic and varied widely in numbers minted. Of all the mints, more San Francisco dates are premium value Barber quarters. It is known for the lowest mintage variety of the series, 1913, only 40,000 struck. A rare and highly sought coin.

Identify San Francisco mintage by the "S" mintmark on the reverse, below the tail feathers of the eagle.

"D" Mintmark: Denver Mint

Denver mint located in Colorado was new in 1906 and struck just over 3 million quarters that year. Production continued until the end of the series lapsing only in 1912 striking no quarters, instead focusing on Barber dimes and half dollars. Standout date variety is 1911, only 933,000 mintage a low number and now a scarce coin.

On the reverse a "D" mintmark below the eagle confirms the Denver mint variety Barber quarter.

No Mintmark: Philadelphia Mint

Philadelphia mint was the largest contributor to the series. Minting over 159 million Barber quarters from 1892 to 1916, striking coins every year. Banner production years saw numbers toping 10 million per year. Many Philadelphia coins are the beginnings of a collection because of affordability. One year - 1913 is very scarce due to low numbers minted just over 484,000. A 1913 in above average condition is worth in the hundreds of dollars.

Philadelphia did not use a mintmark to identify its coinage of Barber quarters. No mintmark in the area under the tail feathers of the eagle is a Philadelphia quarter.

Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Defining a Mint State quarter is absence of wear to the surface of the coin. High points of the design are closely inspected to judge this condition.

Liberty's hair just above the forehead is an area prone to wear. Details of the hair are fine lines and subtle waves. All small details remain on a mint state coin.

A the very top of the cap is a large fold, its surface remains with the same texture as the surrounding metal. A fine grain to the metal produces the shine and quickly dulls when worn.

Tips of the laurel leaves are a small high relief feature. Insect the edges of all leaves for any smoothing indicating wear.

Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A bold eagle, outstretched wings, and a central shield are the high areas on the reverse.

Looking at the eagle's head just above the eye, no smoothness or flattening is seen. Sharp lines and defined edges remain.

Prone to wear, the top edges of the wing are well rounded from tips to shield.

Tail feathers are all without signs of flat spots or dulling of the metal. Wear quickly removes the fine grain texture of luster.

Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Light wear has begun to remove just the highest areas of the design.

Liberty's hair displays a small worn area above her forehead. Fine lines are missing and a flat area has developed.

Above her hair line all letters to "Liberty" are readable on the ribbon. Detail of the upper and lower edges of the ribbon are clear. Any fading of the line is on the bottom edge and minor.

A smooth area is now on Liberty's cheek extending from her eye to jaw. A bold contour remains between the eye and cheek below.

Upper laurel leaves to the wreath show a small flattening to the edges and tips of leaves. Lower leaves are worn but all edges are visible and distinct.

Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Wear begins to flatten the fine upper edges of the design. Many minor details remain with major details bold.

A small flat area is seen on the eagle's head. A fine line remains of the very top feather.

Within the center of the neck a small flat area has merged a few lines.

Towards the tips of the wings many fine lines are flat but the major feathers are represented by a separating line.

Talons have a flat area on the top contours; however, talons are raised from the olive branch and arrow shafts.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: A flatness is now the norm across most of the surface of a Barber quarter in Fine grade. Many bold details remain, giving the coin character.

Liberty's hair above the eye is smooth and absent of a defining line separating the hair from the forehead.

It is important letters of "Liberty" in the headband show to reach the Fine grade. "ER" is often weak but is readable. A lower line to the band is missing, upper line is partly visible.

A few leaves are outlined, not all are a flat plane. Lower leaves merge with the hair towards their ends. Upper row of leaves is outlined but faint.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Moderate wear is covering the entire design. The eagle is bold and most of the motto - E Pluribus Unum is readable.

Across the tops of the wings, feather detail is smooth and blended. Feathers remain separated in the lower half of the wing.

Neck area of the eagle is smooth and flat with a few feathers showing along the edges.

Arrow shafts are beginning to merge in the area close to the talon.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A bold Liberty remains with a strong outline.

Liberty is almost smooth across entire portrait. She remains raised from the lower surface.

Attention now turns to condition of the rim. The rim is complete but weak in areas. Letters of In God We Trust are clear of the rim.

Stars and date are clear and bold.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Fine line detail is flattened in the Good grade.

A full outlined eagle remains. Feather details are all but gone. Wing tips must remain clear and free of the rim

Ribbon in the eagle's beak is smooth with only partial letters remaining.

Rim is weak in many areas. Legend is faint towards the tops and a few letters are just beginning to blend with the rim.

More Quarter Values

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