Barber Quarters (1892-1916)

The Iconic Barber Quarter (1892-1916)

Charles E. Barber’s Liberty Head design graced the quarter dollar from 1892 to 1916. Miss Liberty faces right on the obverse, her hair in a Phrygian cap and laurel wreath, with "LIBERTY" on a band above her forehead. The reverse features a heraldic eagle, adapted from the Great Seal, clutching an olive branch and arrows, surrounded by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "QUARTER DOLLAR."

For type collectors, examples in Good to Fine are readily available, but Very Fine coins are scarce, and Extremely Fine pieces are rarer. AU and Uncirculated coins are difficult to find, and superb Uncirculated examples are extremely rare. Key dates include the 1901-S, a major 20th-century rarity, as well as the 1896-S and 1913-S, which are also highly sought after.

Proofs, minted annually from 1892 to 1915 in limited quantities, remain available in proportion to their original mintage, typically ranging from 500 to 900 pieces per year.