1870 Quarter Patterns

About This Coin

Philadelphia Mint trial strikings from the 1870 Standard Silver Patterns program, these quarter-denomination pieces explored revised designs under Chief Engraver William Barber. The Seated Liberty quarter by Christian Gobrecht had served since 1838, and by 1870 Mint officials considered whether three decades of continuous use warranted a fresh approach. The obverse features experimental Liberty and allegorical compositions, while the reverse showcased variations on heraldic eagle and wreath themes. These patterns must be understood within the broader Standard Silver program's objective: creating a coherent visual identity across all silver denominations built around a proposed reduced-weight dollar standard addressing post-Civil War monetary policy realities. A notable auction result of $18K in PR64 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions demonstrates the market premium for these scarce trial pieces. The Seated Liberty design would survive until 1891, suggesting the 1870 experiments, while artistically significant, did not generate sufficient momentum for immediate adoption.