Vital Stats. (1838-1853)

Type 1 Mintage

Type 1
No Drapery No Motto (1838-1839)

The concept for the "Liberty Seated" design came from U.S. Mint Director Robert Patterson. Patterson liked the strength conveyed in the seated "Brittania" and ask for a design of his "Liberty Seated" concept. The design was placed on several coins, including the Quarter Dollar.

The obverse is a representation of Liberty with flowing robes, seated on a rock, her head turned to her right, her left arm bent and holding a pole topped by a "Liberty cap". Her right hand supporting a Union shield at her side across it is a curved banner displaying LIBERTY. The date is at the bottom of the rock on which she is setting. Inside dentils along the raised rim 13 stars form a partial circle.

In late 1840 modifications were made to the Liberty Seated design. Hughes added extra drapery at Liberty's left elbow and down over her knee. This earlier type does not have that drapery, so the lack of drapery became the identifier of the two types.

Type 2 Mintage

Type 2
Drapery No Motto (1840-1853) (1856-1865)

When Gold was discovered in California and began to be minted into coins, the price of silver went up compared to gold. To keep people from melting silver coins the silver content was dropped in silver coins (except for silver dollars). When the silver in the quarter dollar was reduced from 6.68 grams to 6.22 grams, an arrowhead was added to each side of the date, and rays extending out from the eagle were added to the reverse.

Type 3, Arrows At Date & Rays On Reverse (1853 Only)

Type 3 Mintage

Type 3
Arrows at Date Rays on Reverse (1853)

The next year, the rays were eliminated from the reverse. The reason for this change was most likely because of the extra time needed to make the dies with rays, also excessive die wear from the heavier pressure needed to strike the design properly.

Type 4 Mintage

Type 4
Arrows at Date No Rays (1854-1855)

Keeping the lighter weight, the Type 2 design was resumed in 1856 and continued until 1865. In 1866 the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse.

Type 5 Mintage

Type 5
No Arrows With Motto on Reverse
(1866-1873) (1875-1891)

Type 6 Mintage

Type 6
Arrows at Date With Motto on Reverse (1873-1874)

The first use of arrows and rays, then arrows only, marked a weight decrease of nearly one-half gram. This second use of arrows, defining the 1873-1874 type, was used for a much smaller difference of 0.03 grams. In 1875 mintage of the Type 5 design was resumed and continued until being replaced by the Barber quarter.