1872 Seated Liberty Quarter

1872 | Philadelphia | Mintage: 182,000 | 90% Silver, 10% Copper

$38 – $28,725 Semi-Key

Obverse

Reverse

The Seated Liberty Quarter - 1872 was minted at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 182,000. Values range from $38 in lower grades to $28,725 in top condition. This is a semi-key date with strong collector demand.

CoinValueDB Value Estimate

$38.00 – $65,000

Price History

SoldHigh BidFor SaleLast Asking PriceMoving Average

Avg: $10,040 High: $65,000 Low: $38 18 total data points

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade
Grade	Value
Good (G-4)	$99
Very Good (VG-8)	$55
Fine (F-12)	$152
Very Fine (VF-20)	$130
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$338
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$435
Mint State (MS-60)	$2,848
Choice Mint State (MS-63)	$6,088
Near Gem (MS-64)	$25,000
Gem Mint State (MS-65)	$21,163
Superb Gem (MS-66)	$65,000
Superb Gem+ (MS-67)	$28,725

About the Seated Liberty Quarter

The Seated Liberty Quarter series began in 1838. Christian Gobrecht designed the coin based on sketches by Thomas Sully and Titian Peale. Gobrecht replaced the previous Capped Bust design to modernize the appearance of United States coinage. The obverse depicts Lady Liberty sitting on a rock while holding a liberty cap on a pole. She holds a shield with the word LIBERTY inscribed across it. The series underwent several changes during its 53-year run. The Mint added drapery at Liberty's elbow in 1840. Rays were added behind the figure in 1853 to mark a reduction in the weight of the silver. These rays were removed in 1854. The Mint added the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on a ribbon above Liberty in 1866. Production ended in 1891 when the Barber Quarter replaced the design.

Coin Details

Designer: Thomas Sully (Liberty), John Reich (reverse)
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.22 grams
Diameter: 24.3 mm
Edge: reeded
Series: Seated Liberty Quarter (1838-1891)

Historical Notes

1872 Seated Liberty Quarter from Philadelphia.

Collecting Seated Liberty Quarter Coins

Focus on dates from the 1870s and 1880s to build an affordable starter set. Many coins from this era exist in lower grades like Good or Very Good. Watch for signs of cleaning, as many collectors scrubbed these coins in the past, which ruins their numismatic value. Inspect the date and mint mark area with a 10x loupe to identify common cast counterfeits. Avoid coins with heavy scratches or rim dings if you plan to sell them later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Seated Liberty Quarter - 1872 worth? +

A Seated Liberty Quarter - 1872 is worth between $38 and $28,725 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1872 Seated Liberty Quarter coins were made? +

The Philadelphia Mint produced 182,000 1872 Seated Liberty Quarter coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the Seated Liberty Quarter - 1872 a key date? +

The Seated Liberty Quarter - 1872 is considered a semi-key date. While not the rarest in the series, it has above-average collector demand and typically commands a premium over common dates.

How much is an 1872 Seated Liberty Quarter worth? +

A coin in low-grade condition typically sells for between $150 and $300. Mint State examples command significantly higher prices, often exceeding $2,000 depending on the specific level of preservation.

Is the 1872 Seated Liberty Quarter considered rare? +

It qualifies as a semi-key date due to its low mintage of 182,000 pieces. It is much harder to find than the 1876 or 1877 Philadelphia issues, which saw production numbers well into the millions.

Related Seated Liberty Quarter Coins

Seated Liberty Quarter - 1875

Philadelphia

Up to $14,025

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