Barber Quarter
(1892-1916)
The Barber Quarter, first minted in 1892, came in as the long-awaited replacement for the aging Seated Liberty design, which had been in use since the 1830s. It was designed by Charles E. Barber, who was the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint at the time—a figure both respected and occasionally controversial among collectors and artists of his day. The coin features a strong, classical image of Liberty on the obverse, facing left, wearing a cap and a laurel wreath with a small headband or “tiara” inscribed with the word LIBERTY. The reverse keeps things traditional with a heraldic eagle, wings spread wide, clutching arrows and an olive branch, inspired by the Great Seal of the United States.
This design wasn’t necessarily groundbreaking in artistic terms, but it was reliable, balanced, and easy to strike—exactly what the Mint needed as it moved toward more modern production standards. The Barber Quarter ran until 1916, making it a relatively short but eventful series in American coinage. It covered a time of rapid industrial growth, social change, and the lead-up to World War I. Over those 25 years, there were coins minted at Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco, giving collectors plenty of mint marks and lower-mintage issues to chase down. And while some dates are fairly common, there are a handful of tougher ones—like the 1901-S—that have become true prizes in the collecting world. Whether you’re after key dates, high-grade examples, or just want a piece of turn-of-the-century American history, the Barber Quarter has a lot to offer.
Key Features of the Barber Quarter
Obverse Design: The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, wearing a coronet inscribed with “LIBERTY.” The coin’s motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” appears above her head. Surrounding the portrait are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the year of issue.
Reverse Design: The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings. The eagle holds arrows and an olive branch, and the word “QUARTER DOLLAR” is inscribed at the bottom, with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” above the eagle.
Composition: The Barber Quarter was made of 90% silver and 10% copper, a standard for U.S. coinage during that period.
Valuation Chart
Year | Good (G-4) | Very Good (VG-8) | Fine (F-12) | Very Fine (VF-20) | Extremely Fine (EF-40) | About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Uncirculated (MS-60) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1892 | $30 – $50 | $50 – $75 | $100 – $150 | $250 – $350 | $450 – $600 | $700 – $1,000 | $2,000 – $3,500 |
1893 | $35 – $55 | $55 – $85 | $120 – $170 | $275 – $400 | $500 – $750 | $800 – $1,200 | $2,500 – $4,000 |
1894 | $60 – $100 | $100 – $150 | $150 – $250 | $300 – $450 | $550 – $800 | $900 – $1,400 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
1895 | $35 – $55 | $60 – $100 | $125 – $175 | $275 – $400 | $500 – $700 | $750 – $1,100 | $2,500 – $4,000 |
1896 | $25 – $40 | $40 – $60 | $100 – $150 | $225 – $300 | $400 – $600 | $650 – $1,000 | $1,800 – $3,000 |
1897 | $25 – $40 | $40 – $60 | $100 – $150 | $225 – $300 | $400 – $600 | $600 – $900 | $1,800 – $3,000 |
1898 | $20 – $35 | $30 – $50 | $80 – $125 | $200 – $300 | $375 – $500 | $600 – $900 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
1899 | $25 – $45 | $45 – $75 | $100 – $150 | $225 – $350 | $400 – $650 | $700 – $1,000 | $2,000 – $3,500 |
1900 | $20 – $35 | $30 – $50 | $75 – $125 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1901 | $20 – $35 | $30 – $50 | $75 – $125 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1902 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1903 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1904 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1905 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1906 | $20 – $35 | $30 – $50 | $75 – $125 | $150 – $250 | $300 – $500 | $550 – $850 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
1907 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1908 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1909 | $20 – $35 | $30 – $50 | $75 – $125 | $150 – $250 | $300 – $500 | $550 – $850 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
1910 | $20 – $35 | $30 – $50 | $75 – $125 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1911 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1912 | $20 – $35 | $30 – $50 | $75 – $125 | $150 – $250 | $300 – $500 | $550 – $850 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
1913 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1914 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $45 | $60 – $100 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1915 | $20 – $35 | $30 – $50 | $75 – $125 | $150 – $225 | $300 – $450 | $500 – $750 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
1916 | $25 – $40 | $35 – $60 | $100 – $150 | $225 – $300 | $400 – $600 | $650 – $900 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
Historical Context by Year
1892 – First year of issue; new design introduced. The first Barber Quarters were minted in Philadelphia, and they also began striking in the New Orleans Mint this year.
1893 – U.S. Mint struggles with the large volume of silver coins, leading to some hoarding and low mintages for certain years.
1894 – Very low mintage, particularly for the 1894-S variety, making it one of the most sought-after dates for collectors.
1895 – Coinage design remains unchanged; 1895 is another year with lower-than-usual production, especially in New Orleans.
1896 – Increased production; more Barber Quarters are minted in response to growing demand.
1897 – Continued growth in silver coinage, but there are still signs of a struggling economy in the U.S.
1898 – Mintage numbers increase slightly; the quarter is becoming more popular among coin collectors.
1899 – A steady year for the Barber Quarter, though mintages fluctuate slightly in different mints.
1900 – The Barber Quarter continues to be widely circulated as the U.S. enters the 20th century.
1901 – Mint production remains stable, and Barber Quarters remain one of the most common denominations in circulation.
1902 – Coin production reaches high levels, though Barber Quarters are still found in circulation.
1903 – Low mintage for certain branches, and this year sees more proof coins struck for collectors.
1904 – Continued production of Barber Quarters; the economy is beginning to stabilize.
1905 – Coinage continues to circulate widely; San Francisco mint strikes large numbers of coins.
1906 – Mintage levels fluctuate, with some key dates becoming more difficult to find in circulation.
1907 – Introduction of the Indian Head design for the nickel; Barber Quarters continue in production.
1908 – Still part of the peak of Barber Quarter minting, though newer designs like the Indian Head nickel and Liberty Head designs start to dominate.
1909 – Last year for the Indian Head cent, and the U.S. Mint prepares for major changes in coinage designs in the coming years.
1910 – Coinage production remains steady, with Philadelphia mint producing the largest number of Barber Quarters.
1911 – The U.S. economy continues to grow, and coinage designs remain consistent across the country.
1912 – One of the last years of the Barber Quarter; the transition to the Standing Liberty Quarter is on the horizon.
1913 – Final year of the Barber Quarter before the Standing Liberty Quarter takes its place. A key transitional year for U.S. coinage.
1914-1916 – The Barber Quarter is no longer minted, and the Standing Liberty Quarter takes over in 1916. The transition reflects the U.S. Mint’s desire to refresh the nation’s coinage as the world begins to prepare for World War I.
Final Thoughts
The Barber Quarters are a crucial chapter in the story of U.S. coinage. They are a reflection of an era transitioning from the late 19th century into the early 20th century, marked by rapid industrialization, the rise of the U.S. as a global power, and significant political and social changes.
Despite their relatively straightforward design, the Barber Quarters offer a fascinating glimpse into America’s evolving coinage, and they remain highly collectible due to their history, the variations in mint marks, and the challenges of finding key dates. For any collector, owning a Barber Quarter is like holding a piece of American history.
