Barber Quarter Value Chart (Most Expensive Sold For $550,000!)

Besides the Washington Quarter in this article, we will talk about America’s most famous classic quarter design – Barber Quarter coins. The fact is that the Quarter coin was a key coin in 19th and 20th century America, so naturally there is an abundance of different designs, varieties, and mintage volumes.

However, that information does not help us discover the one thing we are all craving to know and that is the actual Barber Quarter value! This article will be a bit different than what you got used from us since the current topic isn’t the particular Barber Quarter it is the general value of the complete series.

If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick preview for you. In general, Barber Quarter coins are pretty common on the market, but the main flaw is that they are damaged due to the fact that most coins come from circulation. That means that coins in lower circulating grades will usually cost you not more than $50.

There is a significant difference between the prices of uncirculated and circulated coins. For instance, Barber Quarters in circulated conditions are estimated to be worth between $10 and $500+, while those in mint state are $495,000.  

However, a lot of circulated coins are still in good condition and suitable as collecting examples. Here is the list of the 6 specimens we recommend you take a lot, they are worth investing in.

• 1892 Barber Quarter AU58 – $200

• 1892-S Barber Quarter MS62 – $576

• 1900 Barber Quarter MS64 – $600
• 1906-D Barber Quarter MS64+ – $690

• 1909-D Barber Quarter MS65 – $870
• 1910 Barber Quarter MS66 – $1,170

This is a highly collectible series, incredibly popular and desired among collectors due to the rarity in high gem grades. These quarter dollars were used extensively in the past so most coins are harshly worn, and only a few selected gems are in extremely desirable and sought-after condition. So let’s learn how their prices range in today’s market.

Why Is The Barber Quarter Special?

No matter the reason why you are drawn to this beautiful coin we all agree that investing in it is an excellent option. There are so many reasons that make this coin special and valuable such as beauty, historical background, and the fact it is a safe investment.

The actual reason why this coin is considered a safe investment is the melt value due to the high silver content. Also, keep in mind the dates of manufacturing. If you do the math you’ll realize that these coins are very old (from 131 to 107 years old) so finding a coin in good condition is an occasion worth celebrating!

The final minting year series are particularly treasured among numismatics since they mark the end of an era.

Price Guide For Common Barber Quarter Coins Worth Investing

One of the most popular vintage US coins is for sure a Barber Quarter coin. These coins were struck from 1892 until 1916, and you’ll easily recognize them by their design and unique look. With their historical background, logically these coins are very precious and valuable. However, the scarcest specimens of Barber Quarter are insanely expensive!

A great thing is that these quarters will always have a certain level of value since they were made from 90% silver. The desirability of this coin has gone up in recent years. We can freely say that in the following years, the average price of Barber Quarter coin will increase significantly since fewer examples will come up for purchase.

Since in this article, we talk about the value of Barber Quarters in general, let’s see what are the most challenging mining years to acquire. Here is a rundown of the 7 most scarce Barber quarters varieties:

• 1892-S
• 1896-S
• 1897-S 
• 1901-S
• 1901-O 
• 1909-O
• 1913-S
• 1914-S

The vast majority of Barber Quarters are not rare or scarce so it can be relatively easy to acquire them. Especially if the coins are in lower circulated grades than they are selling for much more affordable prices than those that we mentioned in this article.

Current prices of collectible Barber Quarter coins on the coin market

The Main Features Of The Barber Quarter Coins

The Barber Quarters are a part of Charles Barber Coinage series alongside the Barber dimes and Barber half dollars. Charles E. Barber was the 6th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. He was the one in charge of designing both the coin obverse and reverse.

On the obverse side, you’ll find a portrait of Lady Liberty facing right. On her head is a wreath made of laurel. The inscription “LIBERTY” is written in a small font, and placed within a laurel wreath on a small band. Directly above her head the inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” is placed. A minting year is always engraved beneath the portrait.

The reverse side features a unique design. You’ll momentarily notice the Great Seal of the US featuring a heraldic eagle. It is surrounded by thirteen stars that honored the first states of the Union. An eagle has its wings outstretched while in one talon a bundle of arrows is placed, while in the other you can see an olive branch.

The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is engraved above the eagle’s head close to the rim. While the denomination “QUARTER DOLLAR” is placed along the lower rim. If you take a good look, you’ll notice a band in the eagle’s beak with the inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. The mint mark, if it has, is placed below the eagle’s tale!

Each coin was minted on a planchet made from 90% silver. It features a reeded edge, 24.3 mm in diameter, and around 6.25 grams. 

Barber Quarter mint marks

Most of you probably know that the majority of early coins barre a mint mark on the reverse side (if it has a mint mark). For instance, in a Barber Quarter, the mint mark is placed directly below the eagle’s tail feathers. The Barber Quarter was in production from 1892 until 1916. It was minted in 4 mint facilities – New Orleans, San Francisco, Denver, and Philadelphia. 

O mint mark 

All Barber Quarters that come with the O mint mark were minted in New Orleans. The coins were struck in this facility between 1892 and 1909. An average annual mintage was from 2 to 3 million coins.

The most sought-after O mint mark Barer Quarter coin is the one minted in 1909 due to the fact it has a particularly low mintage of only 712,000 quarters. The 1909-O Barber Quarter with the MS67 grade was estimated to be worth around $32,500.

S mint mark

Coins with the S mint mark were minted in the San Francisco facility. Barber Quarters were minted between 1892 and 1916. The mintage in this facility fluctuated a lot so quarters with this mint mark are the most valuable out of all. 

However, the key mintage year with the S mint mark is 1913. Approximately around 40,000 coins were produced this year. Since 1913-S Barber Quarters are rare and valuable, the average selling price is high. For example, the 1913-S Barber Quarter with grade MS67 is estimated to be worth around $72,500.

D mint mark

Logically Barber Quarters that come with the D mint mark originate from the Denver Mint facility. An interesting fact is that the first Barber Quarter with a D mint mark was produced in 1906, the production remained until 1916, with the exception of 1912. 

The rare and most notable minting year for D mint mark Barber Quarters is 1911. In this year only 933,000 quarters were struck making the scarce and extremely valuable. The average price for the 1911-D Barber Quarter with the MS67 grade is $24,500.

No mint mark

If you come across a Barber Quarter without a mint mark you got the variety that was produced in the Philadelphia facility. As usual, this mint produces the highest mintage volume of coins in most cases. In the case of the Barber Quarter, a total of 159 million quarters were produced in between 1892 and 1916. 

However, one minting year is particularly special and valuable due to the rarity and low mintage. In 1913 only 484,000 coins were produced in this facility. The 1913 Barber Quarter with no mint mark and grade MS67 achieved a price of $24,500.

List Of Errors Found On Barber Quarters

There is a wide variety of errors that can occur on coins during the minting process. Some of the most common errors that occur on Barber Quarter coins are the result of using different hub varieties. Also, you can come across error coins with doubled and tripled dies, re-punched mint marks, and re-punched and misplaced dates.

In the following headlines, we will explain these errors in detail and leave you a list of coins you should look for.

Different hub varieties 

Here we have a few different varieties. On the obverse hub, two different varieties appear – Type I and Type II. In the Type I variety you’ll notice the lack of cartilage in the Liberties ear, while in the Type II, you’ll notice a clear sign of cartilage in her ear. These error varieties can be seen in quarters from the 1900, to 1900-O, and 1900-S series. 

When you flip the coin you can notice a few different varieties on the reverse as well. We can distinguish three different varieties on the reverse side – Type I, Type II, and Type III. Reverse Type I is characteristical of the partly visible middle serif on the letter “E” in the word “UNITED”. You’ll find this error in the following coins – 1892, 1892-O, and 1892-S. 

In Type II the middle serif on the letter “E” is completely covered by the left wing. You’ll notice this error in coins – 1892, 1892-O, 1892-S, 1900, 1900-O, and 1900-S. Finally, Type III can be recognized by the tip of the left wing that extends past the letter “E” in the word “UNITED”. You’ll notice this error in coins – 1900, 1900-O, and 1900-S.

Also, 1896 without a mint mark was reported to feature Type II obverse and Type III reverse hub varieties.

Doubled and tripled dies

Doubled die, also known as hub doubling refers to a duplication of design elements on a working die. These errors occur due to a misalignment of the die or hub during the minting process. We can come across the DDO (doubled die obverse), DDR (doubled die reverse), TDO (triple die obverse), and TDR (tripled die reverse) in Barber Quarters.

Here is the list of coins with the particular die error:

• 1892 Type I – DDR, TDO (visible in “IN GOD WE TRUST”), TDR (in “OF AMERICA”)
• 1892 Type II –  DDO (“IN GOD WE TRUST”)
• 1892-O Type II – DDO (“IN GOD WE TRUST”)
• 1892-O –  DDR (“QUARTER DOLLAR”)      
• 1898-S – DDR (in “DOLLAR”)
• 1899 – DDR (in “QUARTER DOLLAR”)
• 1901-O – DDR (arrows in “QUARTER DOLLAR”)
• 1906-O – DDR
• 1907-D – DDO (visible in first and second sta, and in ribbon ends)
• 1908 – DDO (in “IN GOD WE TRUST”)
• 1908-S – DDR
• 1909 – DDO (in “IN GOD WE TRUST”)
• 1909-D – DDR
• 1909-O – DDR ( visible in “QUARTER”, “UNITED” and on the wing)
• 1911-D – DDR
• 1914-D -DDO (visible on stars and ribbon)
• 1915 – DDR (“OF AMERICA”)
• 1915-S – DDR

Repunched mint marks 

We’ll explain this erro on a simple example of RPM-W. This means that the punched mint mark that is placed on the West (left side) is the original MM and not the one that is repunched. On the other hand, RPM-E refers to the MM on the East (right side) as the original MM.

Let’s see which Barber Quarter series features these valuable errors.

• 1892-O/O Type I, RPM-E      
• 1892-O/O Type II, RPM-E     
• 1892-S/S Type I, RPM-W     
• 1892-S/S Type I, RPM-NW (Large S / Small S variety)
• 1893-O/O, RPM-E
• 1893-S/S, RPM-E
• 1894-O/O, RPM         
• 1895-S/S, RPM-W (narrow reeds)
• 1895-S/S, RPM-W (Large S / Small S variety)
• 1895-S/S, RPM-E
• 1898-S/S, RPM-S
• 1900-S/S, RPM-W
• 1906-D/D, RPM-N     
• 1907-S/S, RPM-E      
• 1907-S/S, RPM-rotated         
• 1908-D/D, RPM-E     
• 1908-D/D, RPM-N
• 1908-D/D, RPM-S
• 1908-D/D, RPM over D in word dollar
• 1909-D/D, RPM-NW
• 1909-S/S, RPM (Large S / Small S variety)
• 1911-S/S, RPM-S
• 1911-S/S, RPM (Large S / Small S variety)
• 1914-D/D, RPM-tilted counter-clockwise
• 1915-D/D, RPM-N
• 1915-S/S, RPM
• 1916-D/D, RPM-N
• 1916-D/D, RPM-E or -W
• 1916-D/D, RPM-S (Large D / Small D variety)

Repunched dates and mint marks 

In some cases an error ends up minted with repunched mint marks as well as some other small details such as date. These errors are rare and pretty valuable. Only a few minting years from the complete Barber Quarter series feature this unique error composition.

Look for the following 4 coins:

• 1907/07-S/S RPD-South and RPM-over
• 19/1908-D/D RPD-South and RPM
• 19/1909/09?-S/S RPD-South and RPM-South
• 1/1909-S/S RPD-South and RPM-South

Repunched and misplaced dates 

Misplaced dates are a simple error that can occur by accident but in most cases, they are caused by an employee while using a date digit punch to test on the die. The date test digit would be punched in an area where the strike would place the letter so this way it wasn’t seen on the finished coin. 

However, sometimes the coin will show evidence of an MPD. In some cases, you can see only one digit and sometimes you can see all four. You can find this error in the denticles below the date, or near the base of the portrait. Here is the list of series that feature this error:

• 189/92-O Type I, RPD18/1892/2 Type II, RPD-S and N      
• 1/1892 Type II, RPD-S          
• 189/1892 Type II, RPD-S
• 18/1892/2-O Type II, RPD-S
• 1893/2? (possible overdate)
• 1893/3, RPD-S
• 1893/1893, RPD-S
• 1893/93-S, RPD-S    
• 1/1893/93-S, RPD-N and S   
• 1894/4, RPD-S
• 18/1894/4-O, RPD-E and S   
• 18/1894/4-S, RPD     
• 1/1894/4-S, RPD-SW
• 18/1895, RPD
• 1895/5, RPD-S
• 1895/895, RPD-W     
• 1895/5-O, RPD-N      
• 1896/6, RPD-E          
• 1896/96, RPD-W?     
• 1896/1896, RPD-E    
• 189/97, RPD-E
• 189/98, RPD-S          
• 1/1898/98, RPD-N and S       
• 1/1898/98, RPD-W                                                                                        
• 1899/9, RPD-W         
• 1899/899, RPD-W                                                                 
• 18/899/9, RPD-N and S         
• 1899/1899, RPD-W   
• 1899/99, RPD-S
• 1899/9-S, RPD-S      
• 1900/1900/0, RPD-S and E   
• 1/1900, RPD  
• 1/1901, RPD-S          
• 1/1902, RPD-S          
• 1/1902, RPD-SW
• 190/02, MPD-S (you can see it on top of 0 in denticles)
• 1902-O, MPD-S (visible in denticals)
• 1902-O, RPD-SW      
• 1903/1903, RPD-S    
• 1903/3-O, RPD-W
• 19/903/3-O, MPD
• 1/1904, RPD-S          
• 1904/04, RPD-S        
• 1904/1904, RPD-W   
• 19/905, RPD-S          
• 19/905-S, RPD-S      
• 190/05-S, RPD-E      
• 1906/6, RPD-E          
• 19/1906, RPD-S        
• 19/1906-D, RPD-W   
• 190/06-O, RPD-S      
• 1907/7-D, RPD-E      
• 190/907-D, RPD-N    
• 1907/1907-D, RPD-S
• 1907/907/7-O, RPD-S,S and N         
• 1907/07-S, RPD-S    
• 190/07-S, RPD-N      
• 19/1908, RPD-S        
• 1908/1908, RPD-W
• 190/90/908-D, RPD-S and  MPD      
• 1908-D, MPD (under 08)
• 1/1908-D, RPD-S      
• 1908/8-D, RPD-E      
• 19/1908/8-D, RPD-W and S  
• 1908-D, MPD (visible on top of 0 in dentils)
• 1908/8-O, MPD-SW (visible on tops in denticals)
• 1/1909, RPD-W         
• 1914/4, RPD-S
• 1914/14-S, RPD-S    
• 19/915, RPD  
• 1915/15, RPD-W
• 191/915, RPD-S
• 1916-D, RPD-S         

Where Can You Trade Valuable Barber Quarters?

Now it is time for less talk and more work. If you are considering buying or selling your valuable Barber Quarter coin, or any other valuable coin, you need to get informed about the trusted sources. You can trade your coins in person or online.

If you choose to do it in person make sure you find the most reliable coin or pawn shop in your area and schedule a consultation. However, most collectors nowadays trade online. But as you know, there are numerous attempted frauds when it comes to trading collectibles so we advise you to establish a network of reliable dealers that you’ll work with. 

Here is our list of auction houses and coin web pages that are proven and reliable – Heritage Auctions, PCGS, Coins For Sale, Stack’s Bowers, or Littleton Coin Company. 

For all of you who are about to sell your coin, make sure you check the market trend first. You should visit web platforms like eBay, Etsy, and LiveAuctioneers. Web pages like this are great sources of information like price range, demand, and supply. These criteria are critical when it comes to forming a final price.

FAQ

Why are coins called Barber Coins?

The main reason behind the name Barber Coinage or Barber Coins is the designer itself. These coins are named after their maker Charles E. Barber. He was the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. A similar design appears on three different coins – Quarters, Dimes, and Half Dollars.

How many Barber Quarters were minted in total?

Since this coin was minted in 74 different circulation strike issues we can freely say that there are a lot of these coins available in different date and mint mark combinations. 

The Barber Quarter was minted from 1892 until 1916  in four different mints – Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Approximately  264,670,792 of these coins were minted and released into circulation over the course of years.

If You Like Appealing Design – Choose Barber Quarters

Even though this coin was in production for a short period of time, this design gifted us with 74 different coin varieties that are worth collecting. Anyone who is passionate about coin collecting understands how exciting it is to search for different minting years in coins of the same design just to complete the full collection. 

So we have just one simple question for you – Are you up for this quest? Do you have enough patience to search for each single Barber Quarter coin example? If you do, or you already started, please inform us about your progress!

Hopefully, this article answered at least some questions that you had in mind. In case you can’t find your answer in the article, make sure you leave your question in the comment section below, we’d like to hear from you!

Also, we would like to ask you to share your opinions, knowledge, and information about this matter as well since we firmly believe that there are a lot of experts among our readers. So help us help others. Good luck and happy hunting!

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