Price Guide for 1856 Quarter Variants
This guide presents price ranges for 1856 Quarter variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
1856 Quarter (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1.15 - $446.50Uncirculated: $4.50 - $10,575.00
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eBayCirculated: $12.00 - $313.11Uncirculated: $281.00 - $1,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $25.00 - $550.00Uncirculated: $575.00 - $4,500.00
1856-O Quarter (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $0.60 - $1,560.00Uncirculated: $4.00 - $11,750.00
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eBayCirculated: $18.50 - $380.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 - $1,350.00Uncirculated: $1,750.00 - $15,000.00
1856 Quarter, CAM (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,875.00 - $69,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $7,500.00 - $60,000.00
1856-S Quarter (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.25 - $7,475.00Uncirculated: $3,520.00 - $18,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $147.50 - $1,675.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $300.00 - $11,000.00Uncirculated: $12,500.00 - $45,000.00
1856 Quarter MPD FS-301 (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $111.63
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eBayCirculated: $149.00
1856-S/S Quarter Large/Small S FS-501 (005) (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $411.25 - $28,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $340.00 - $565.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $350.00 - $12,500.00
1856 Quarter (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,980.00 - $2,530.00Uncirculated: $25.00 - $20,700.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,000.00 - $22,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1856 Quarter
The 1856 Quarter was part of the Seated Liberty series, which began in 1838 and continued until 1891. This design, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock, was a significant departure from previous coin designs and represented a more classical approach to American coinage. The year 1856 was notable as it marked the third year of operation for the San Francisco Mint, which had opened in response to the California Gold Rush.
| Weight | 6.22 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.3 mm |
| Mint Marks | New Orleans (O), Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Heraldic eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of an 1856 Quarter significantly impacts its value. Circulated examples are relatively common, but uncirculated specimens are scarce to rare, depending on the mint. The San Francisco issue is particularly valuable in higher grades due to its low mintage and scarcity in uncirculated condition.
Factors such as strike quality, luster, and absence of contact marks play crucial roles in determining the coin's grade and value. Coins with original mint luster and minimal bag marks command substantial premiums. For the New Orleans and San Francisco issues, even small improvements in condition can lead to significant increases in value.
Mintage: 7,264,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 968,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS63 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved examples
Mintage: 286,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS60 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, particularly for higher grade examples
Toning can significantly affect the desirability and value of 1856 Quarters. Coins with attractive, natural toning are highly sought after by collectors and can command substantial premiums. The strength of the strike is another important factor, particularly for the branch mint issues, which often have weaker strikes compared to Philadelphia coins.
For the San Francisco issue, any high-grade example is considered rare and valuable due to the low mintage and the fact that most were heavily circulated. Provenance can also play a role in value, especially for high-grade examples with a history of belonging to notable collections.
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