Due to the Mint Act of April 2, 1792, which stated that certain coins had to have an image that represented liberty along with the word “liberty” and on the other side an eagle and the term “The United States of America,” the quarter’s design was specified.  For the first 115 years of the quarter’s circulation, liberty was portrayed by Lady Liberty, in the image of a bust and full-figure.

Liberty Quarter – Draped Bust  (1796-1807 ) 

The first quarters were issued in 1796 and like most other early American coins, were made of silver.  In 1873 the U.S. government thought that the coin was too lightweight so more silver was added.  Like the dime, though, the silver was removed in 1965.  In the quarter’s case, it was replaced with an alloy of 91.67 percent copper and 8.33 percent nickel.

Robert Scot designed the first quarter, and he portrayed Lady Liberty with a serious look.  The design changed over the years, but the theme remained the same.  Sometimes only the bust of Lady Liberty was impressed on the coin, sometimes the full figure; here are the differences over the next years:

Liberty Quarter – Capped Bust  (1815-1838) 

A German engraver by the name of John Reich created this version’s design.  Soon after he arrived in America, he got a design job at the Philadelphia U.S. Mint in 1807.  This design featured Lady Liberty facing left on the obverse of the coin, surrounded by thirteen stars, with the date on the bottom.  Lady Liberty was portrayed as a full-bodied woman, perhaps indicative of the typical European woman of the time.   In this version Liberty wore a cap inscribed with “LIBERTY.” 

Liberty Seated (1838-1891) 

There are several different versions of the Liberty Seated Quarter.  From 1838 to 1866 the quarter had no motto, in 1853 rays and arrows were added, from 1854 to 1855 the quarter had arrows but no rays, from 1866 to 1891 the quarter got a motto, and from 1873 to 1874 the Seated Liberty went back to just having arrows.

Barber or Liberty Head  (1892-1916)

The Barber Quarter is rare in that it is named after its designer, Edward Barber.  The design features a bust of Lady Liberty facing right and wearing a Liberty cap with a laurel wreath. The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is above her, and the date below.   There ae also 13 stars on the obverse.  The letter “B” for Barber is engraved on Lady Liberty’s neck.  The reverse features an image of the Great Seal of the U.S. and an eagle with arrows in one claw and an olive branch with 13 leaves in the other.  The eagle’s beak holds a ribbon with the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

Standing Liberty (1916-1930) 

In the year 1916, Liberty actually had an exposed breast.  This was too much for the American people, so in 1917 the breast was covered.

The eagle image changed over the years, too.  At first the eagle image was small, so small that people thought it looked like a pigeon, so over time the eagle grew. 

The Washington Quarter (1932-1998) 

It was on the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday in 1932 that the image of Washington replaced Lady Liberty.

The next major change to the quarter took place in 1976, to honor the bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Bicentennial quarters got the image of a colonial drummer on the reverse of the coin instead of the eagle.  Of course, this change took place only for the year 1976.

Statehood Quarters (1999-present)

Thanks to the United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996, The 50 State Quarters Program allowed the U.S. Mint to feature images of the different states on quarters.  The 50 State Quarters were issued in 1999 and will continue through 2008.

Right now the set of 50 State Quarters can be purchased for $12.50, though since they are they are in regular circulation, they are not considered collectible coins yet.

Related posts:

1. Dimes
2. Valuable Coins
3. A History of Coin Collecting
4. The Nickel Coin
5. Pennies: The Beginning of Official American Coinage

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