1896 Barber Quarter
Base
About This Coin
The 1896 Barber Quarter is a United States quarter from the Barber Quarters 1892-1916 series — an early issue, 5th of 25 years in the series. In 1896, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 5.5 million. This ranks 4th of 25 years by total mintage, below the series median of 10.1 million. The obverse features Liberty facing right wearing a Phrygian cap topped by a laurel wreath, with the word LIBERTY on a headband and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. The 1896-S with a mintage of 188,039 is one of the key dates of the series, scarce in all grades. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 6.3 grams, 24.3 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $26 to $26K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $96K in MS66 grade at Stack's Bowers. Designed by Charles E. Barber.
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — range across all strike types, reflecting typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
