1878 Seated Liberty Quarter

About This Coin

The 1878 Seated Liberty Quarter is a United States quarter from the Seated Liberty Quarters 1838-1891 series — 41st of 54 years in the series. In 1878, coins were struck at the Carson City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 3.4 million. This ranks 43rd of 54 years by total mintage, above the series median of 500,580. 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. Struck during the Gilded Age of rapid industrialization and the great silver debates, when monetary policy shaped elections and economic destiny. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 6.3 grams, 24.3 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Produced 8 years before the celebrated 1886 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $49 to $6.8K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $26K in PR68* grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Robert Ball Hughes/Christian Gobrecht.