Early Bust Quarters enjoy a higher value than most other quarters because they were produced so long ago that they are difficult to locate now. Minted during the final years of the 1700s and through the late 1830s, these coins mark an especially important era of American history and are thus extremely valuable to collectors of United States coinage.
Generally speaking, an Early Bust Quarter is likely to sport Fair condition, with signs of wear apparent to the naked eye. Not only was it uncommon for these coins to be carefully preserved at the time of mintage, but their age alone means they have had many years to be lost or damaged. The price these coins can command ranges dramatically, though it is important to note up front they are not usually considered inexpensive.
THE VALUE OF AN EARLY BUST QUARTER
Every prospective buyer naturally wants at least a ballpark idea of what an important coin costs as they plan their future acquisitions. It is difficult to dream-build without an idea of what your dream really means. Plainly put, a buyer would be hard-pressed to find a single early Bust piece for prices under $60. Moreover, $60 would almost certainly yield a worn coin in far-from-ideal condition. Realistically, the value of each early Bust Quarter is highly individual, based on the year of mintage and scarcity of any given coin.
For example, a coin from 1807 may be nearly impossible to find, but there may be thousands of the Bust quarter produced just one year later on the market. In general, a collector can expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $3,000 for an Early Bust Quarter. Five-figure values are generally reserved for particularly old and rare coins in well-preserved condition.
Determining the most coveted early Bust Quarter is something each collector must do on their own. Every collector has their own goals and dreams for their collection. That being said, most collectors still desire the oldest and rarest of any given coin in the best possible condition. This is why you find the average price for an early Bust produced in 1819 graded Extremely Fine will command nearly $1,000 more than a similarly graded coin from 1837.
Every collector pays attention to condition, even if that is not the single-most important factor. Condition will determine which coins are highly sought and closely coveted versus those that are merely viable options. Due to their extreme age, you may note the condition standards of these quarters are much more forgiving than for quarters produced in, for example, the 1950s. This is the natural result of collectors taking into consideration the fact that these quarters were a circulated coin 100 years ago. The same standards cannot be applied.
 THE FUTURE VALUE OF EARLY BUST QUARTERS
Bust Quarter Values
DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
---|---|---|---|---|
1796 Draped Bust Quarter | $11,000 | $25,000 | $45,000 | $57,500 |
1804 Draped Bust Quarter | $3,750 | $8,500 | $26,000 | $47,000 |
1805 Draped Bust Quarter | $475 | $775 | $3,500 | $5,500 |
1806 Draped Bust Quarter | $500 | $1,000 | $3,250 | $4,500 |
1807 Draped Bust Quarter | $500 | $1,000 | $3,250 | $4,500 |
1815 Capped Bust Quarter | $175 | $450 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
1818 Capped Bust Quarter | $115 | $200 | $1,350 | $2,000 |
1819 Capped Bust Quarter (Small 9) | $115 | $200 | $1,400 | $2,000 |
1820 Capped Bust Quarter (Small 0) | $115 | $200 | $1,400 | $2,200 |
1821 Capped Bust Quarter | $115 | $200 | $1,400 | $2,000 |
1822 Capped Bust Quarter | $150 | $300 | $1,550 | $2,600 |
1823 Capped Bust Quarter | $32,000 | $50,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
1824 Capped Bust Quarter | $700 | $1,700 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
1825 Capped Bust Quarter | $100 | $200 | $1,500 | $2,200 |
1828 Capped Bust Quarter | $100 | $200 | $1,450 | $2,200 |
1831 Capped Bust Quarter | $70 | $125 | $400 | $750 |
1832 Capped Bust Quarter | $70 | $125 | $425 | $750 |
1833 Capped Bust Quarter | $80 | $135 | $475 | $850 |
1834 Capped Bust Quarter | $70 | $125 | $400 | $750 |
1835 Capped Bust Quarter | $70 | $125 | $400 | $750 |
1836 Capped Bust Quarter | $70 | $125 | $400 | $750 |
1837 Capped Bust Quarter | $70 | $125 | $400 | $750 |
1838 Capped Bust Quarter | $70 | $125 | $400 | $750 |