Price Guide for 1882 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: $106.00 – $690.00Uncirculated: $3.75 – $27,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $297.00 – $1,624.99Uncirculated: $200.00 – $2,721.30
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $200.00 – $900.00Uncirculated: $1,000.00 – $25,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $360.00 – $390.00Uncirculated: $2.00 – $22,090.00
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eBayCirculated: $322.57 – $380.78Uncirculated: $60.00 – $1,762.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $450.00 – $600.00Uncirculated: $650.00 – $6,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $437.00 – $23,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $425.00 – $5,780.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $750.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,860.00 – $9,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,500.00 – $12,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1882 Quarter
The 1882 Seated Liberty Quarter is part of the long-running 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 earlier coin designs and became iconic in American numismatics.
The year 1882 saw relatively low mintages for quarters, making coins from this year more desirable to collectors compared to some other years in the series.
| Weight | 6.25 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.3 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia), O (New Orleans) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Eagle with shield, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1882 quarters significantly impacts their value. Due to their age and circulation, high-grade examples are extremely rare, especially for the Philadelphia mint. Coins in Mint State (MS) condition command substantial premiums.
Strike quality is particularly important for Seated Liberty quarters. Well-struck coins with full details on Liberty’s head and the eagle’s feathers are highly prized. Original luster and attractive, natural toning can also greatly enhance a coin’s desirability and value.
Mintage: 15,200
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None widely recognized
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 1,100,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None widely recognized
Market Demand: Moderate to High, depending on condition
Rarity in high grades is a crucial factor for 1882 quarters. The Philadelphia issue, with its extremely low mintage, is particularly valuable in uncirculated condition. For both mints, coins grading MS65 or higher are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors.
Die varieties, while not as common or widely collected as in earlier seated liberty quarters, can add value for specialized collectors. Any mint errors or unusual die states could potentially increase a coin’s value significantly.
The historical significance of the Seated Liberty design and the low mintage year make 1882 quarters popular among type set collectors and series specialists alike, contributing to their strong market demand.
