1855 Liberty Seated Quarter Proof : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..

The year 1855 was the last in which the United States Mint added arrows by the date to signify the 1853 weight change. Due to Gresham’s Law, most silver coins likely struck at the old weight were either exchanged or melted for a profit. Although demand for circulating quarters in 1855 was considerably lower than in 1853 and 1854, it remained high.

On the Proof side, the burgeoning coin-collecting community showed more interest in copper coins and, surprisingly, the silver dollar. Estimated Proof mintages for most other denominations generally fell below 20 coins.

The 1855 Liberty Seated Quarter Proof is popularly believed to have a mintage of 20. While this number is impressive, a unique branch mint Proof struck that same year in San Francisco deservedly attracts more attention whenever it appears at auction.

One of the most interesting stories related to the 1855 Liberty Seated Quarter Proof was published in the January 2011 issue of Coin World. Delaware Valley Rare Coins had advertised an original set held for over a century in the cornerstone of a Philadelphia church. The coins were graded NGC PF65. We do not include this coin in our dataset because its certification number (3422116-006) is no longer active, and we cannot photo-match it to other coins.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

CoinWeek has found 13 examples of this coin in the Proof 64-66 grade range. Population reports from CAC, NGC, and PCGS suggest that five more coins exist in grades we did not track.

We see stability in grading here, with only one coin apparently upgrading—and by just half a point. The desirability of these coins largely depends on the buyer’s taste, as nearly every example shows some degree of toning. It’s safe to assume that any brilliant coins were likely dipped at some point over the past 170 years. Cameo coins are typically at the higher end of the market, selling for about 40% more than non-cameos. Notably, the single CACG-graded coin outperformed the market.

Top Population: PCGS PR65+CAM (1, 8/2024), NGC PF66 (1, 9/2025), and CAC PRCAM65 (1:0, stickered: graded, 9/2025).

• NGC PF66 #1710125-001: “The Harlan P. Smith Collection,” S.H & H. Chapman, May 11, 1906, Possibly Lot 832 – 50¢; John H. Clapp; John H. Clapp Estate to Louis E. Eliasberg, via Stack’s, 1942; “The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection,” Bowers and Merena, April 1997, Lot 1459; “The Benson Collection, Part III,” Goldberg Auctioneers, February 2003, Lot 416; Heritage Auctions, October 27, 2014, Lot 98397 – $28,200.
• PCGS PR65+CAM #36545491: As PCGS PR65CAM #13727626. Heritage Auctions, February 5, 2009, Lot 1104 – $34,500. As PCGS PR65+CAM #36545491. Upgraded by 1/2 point. Imaged on PCGS CoinFacts. Gold toning in the centers. Blue and purple toning along the rim.
• NGC PF65CAM #642675-004: Stack’s Bowers, March 21, 2023, Lot 3104 – $25,200. Brilliant. Planchet disturbance in the left obverse field to the right of star 2.
• CACG PR65 #422200702: As NGC PF65 CAC #3422116-006. Stack’s Bowers, November 1, 2022, Lot 5130 – $21,000. Offered as part of a matched set; As CACG PR65 #422200702. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, November 2, 2023, Lot 108 – $36,425. Antique toning on both sides. Fingerprint on the upper left obverse field.
• PCGS PR65CAM #42603469: As NGC PF65CAM #1898957-056. “The Phil Kaufman Collection of Early Seated Proof Sets, Part Three,” Heritage Auctions, April 17, 2008, Lot 2396 – $27,600. Offered as the Finest Known; Heritage Auctions, April 25, 2013, Lot 4226 – $21,150. As PCGS PR65CAM #42603469. Crossed to PCGS. Imaged on PCGS CoinFacts.
• PCGS PR65 #35377679: As PCGS PR65 #60026329. Heritage Auctions, July 1994, Lot 6520; “The Greensboro Collection, Part III,” Heritage Auctions, April 25, 2013, Lot 4225 – $19,975. As PCGS PR65 35377679. Imaged on PCGS CoinFacts. Darkly toned in hues of purple, blue, and orange.
• NGC PF65 #223393-003: “The George Earle Collection,” Henry Chapman, June 25, 1912, Lot 3102; Wayte Raymond, February 18, 1947, Lot 408 – $24.50 (to Pittman); “The John J. Pittman Collection, Part II” David Akers, May 1998, Lot 1330 – $15,400; Heritage Auctions, February 1999, Lot 5916 – $16,500; Heritage Auctions, January 3, 2007, Lot 914 – $25,300. Reddish gold toning. A Strike through runs across the top of the eagle’s left wing.
• PCGS PR64 #4318448: David Lawrence to Eugene Gardner, via sale, November 2000; “The Eugene H. Gardner Collection,” Heritage Auctions, June 23, 2014, Lot 30407 – $15,862.50. Darkly toned in blue, orange, and purple.
• PCGS PR64CAM CAC #14593710: Heritage Auctions, July 31, 2009, Lot 1087 – $16,100; “The Maltese Collection,” Heritage Auctions, October 15, 2020, Lot 3049 – $28,800.
• PCGS PR64CAM #07341681: Heritage Auctions, April 17, 2008, Lot 2283 – $21,850; “The Joseph C. Thomas Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 30, 2009, Lot 2356 – $14,950. Champagne hue. Tick on Liberty’s right arm.
• PCGS PR64CAM #50155057: Heritage Auctions, August 14, 2006, Lot 5188 – $21,850. Brilliant.
• NGC PF64 CAM #2016039-015: As NGC PF64. Superior, October 2000, Lot 4362 – $12,075; As NGC PF64 CAM #2016039-015. “The Ashland City Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 11, 2003, Lot 4603 – $11,500.
• NGC PF64 #628848-001: Heritage Auctions, May 6, 2000, Lot 193 – $12,650.

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Liberty Seated Quarter, Arrows and Rays Design

Obverse:

A full-length representation of Liberty in long, flowing robes sits on a rock, her head turned back to her right. Liberty’s left arm is bent and holds a pole topped by a Liberty cap. The right arm extends down at her side, hand supporting a Union shield with a curved banner displaying the word LIBERTY. The date is centered at the bottom, flanked on each side by a short arrowhead. Inside denticles along the raised rim, 13 six-pointed stars form a partial circle: seven to the left of Liberty, one between Liberty’s head and the Liberty cap, and five to the right of the cap.

Reverse:

The reverse features a centered left-facing eagle with extended but partly folded wings. The eagle clutches three arrows in its left claw and an olive branch in its right. A Union shield is placed over the chest. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA forms a concentric arc around the top two-thirds of the surface, inside the denticles circling the rim. The denomination QUAR. DOL. is at the bottom, visually completing the circle of text.

Edge:

The edge of the 1855 Liberty Seated Quarter Proof is reeded.

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Coin Specifications

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