1861 (S) Seated Liberty Quarter
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$32,200 AU58 01-03-2006 American Numismatic Rarities
Description
The 1861 (S) Seated Liberty Quarter is a quarter produced at the San Francisco Mint as part of the Seated Liberty Quarters 1838-1891 series. The U.S. Mint produced 96,000 examples, making this the scarcer of two mint variants, with 2% of total production. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole surmounted by a Phrygian liberty cap in her left hand and a shield inscribed LIBERTY in her right and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Produced during the Civil War, when coin hoarding caused severe shortages and the Mint experimented with new compositions to keep coins in circulation. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, established during the California Gold Rush and now primarily producing proof and collector coins. Estimated market value ranges from $801 to $43K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 6.2 grams, 24.3 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #5455.
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