Quarter

Gobrecht’s Liberty Seated design made its appearance in the quarter dollar denomination in 1838. Matching the other new silver designs of the time, the quarter depicts Liberty seated on a rock, her left hand holding a liberty cap on a pole and her right holding a shield inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars are around the upper border, and the date is below. The reverse is somewhat similar to the preceding design, except the denomination is now expressed as QUAR DOL. instead of 25 C and the eagle is a bit heavier looking with a shorter neck and body. There is no motto on the reverse. This design was produced continuously from 1838 through early 1853 and again from 1856 through 1865. Early issues lack drapery at Liberty’s elbow. Some issues dated 1853 and all those dated 1854 and 1855 display arrows at the date discussed in the following section.