Price Guide for 1855 Quarter Variants
This guide presents price ranges for 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.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1.85 – $748.00Uncirculated: $3.25 – $41,125.00
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eBayCirculated: $14.50 – $762.83Uncirculated: $740.00 – $11,071.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $850.00 – $45,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.50 – $3,290.00Uncirculated: $1,410.00 – $88,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $109.21 – $1,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $75.00 – $6,000.00Uncirculated: $7,500.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $13.75 – $1,811.00Uncirculated: $940.00 – $46,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $41.66 – $1,538.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $125.00 – $4,250.00Uncirculated: $4,500.00 – $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,300.00 – $9,350.00Uncirculated: $25.00 – $36,425.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6,500.00 – $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $86,250.00 – $276,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11,500.00 – $34,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $35,000.00 – $75,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1855 Quarter
The 1855 Quarter was part of the Seated Liberty series, which began in 1838 and continued until 1891. This year is particularly significant as it marked the first year of quarter production at the San Francisco Mint, which had opened the previous year to process gold from the California Gold Rush.
The Seated Liberty design, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock, was a departure from earlier designs and symbolized the growing nation’s strength and stability.
| Weight | 6.22 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.3 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O), 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 1855 quarters significantly impacts their value. Circulation strikes from all mints are scarce in high grades due to extensive circulation and the lack of numismatic interest at the time of minting.
Coins in Mint State (MS) condition are extremely rare and highly valued. Even examples in About Uncirculated (AU) grades command strong premiums. The presence of original luster and absence of major contact marks can greatly increase a coin’s desirability and value.
Mintage: 2,857,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 176,000
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS63 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved examples
Mintage: 396,400
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS63 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to historical significance and scarcity
Mint marks play a crucial role in the value of 1855 quarters. The San Francisco (S) and New Orleans (O) issues are considerably rarer and more valuable than their Philadelphia counterparts due to lower mintages and historical significance.
The quality of strike is another important factor, with well-struck examples commanding higher premiums. Some collectors also value coins with attractive natural toning, which can develop over time on silver coins.
As with many 19th-century coins, die varieties exist and can be of interest to specialized collectors, potentially adding value to certain examples.
