The quarter was authorized by the Mint Act of April 2, 1792, alongside four other silver coin denominations: half dimes, dimes, half dollars and silver dollars. Production began gradually, with dimes and quarters first issued in 1796. Low initial demand meant quarters were not produced again until 1804.
Over the centuries, the U.S. quarter has appeared in seven primary designs. Most are identified by the obverse design, though the Barber quarter is named for its designer, Charles E. Barber. In 1932, a commemorative quarter honoring George Washington’s 200th birthday was introduced; its popularity ensured the design endured, and the likeness of Washington remains on the obverse of quarters today.
Collectors are often inspired by commemoratives and design changes, but market value depends on rarity and condition. Many of the most valuable quarters are early issues that were preserved before coin collecting became a widespread hobby.
Below are 20 of the most valuable U.S. quarters, which together have sold for roughly $7.9 million at auction.
20. 1927-S Full Head Standing Liberty Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $175,000
Bottom Line
With a mintage of just 396,000, the 1927-S is the lowest-mintage issue among Standing Liberty quarters. It’s estimated that about 3,900 examples originally qualified as “Full Head,” but far fewer survive. Only 65 Full Head examples are documented, and this specimen ranks among the finest—making it highly desirable to collectors.
19. 1919-S Full Head Standing Liberty Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $235,000
Bottom Line
The San Francisco Mint struck 1,836,000 quarters in 1919, but many circulated heavily and lost date details. Very few remain in mint state, and only a handful match this specimen’s quality—making it a prized rarity among Standing Liberty issues.
18. 1901-S Barber Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $258,500
Bottom Line
The San Francisco Mint produced only 72,664 Barber quarters in 1901, and most were placed into circulation. Surviving mint-state examples are extremely scarce: only two have been certified by PCGS and two recognized as Superb Gems by NGC. This coin represents one of the very best survivors.
17. 1927-S Full Head Standing Liberty Quarter (MS66)
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $258,500
Bottom Line
The 1927-S is one of the rarest Standing Liberty quarters. The complexity of the design caused weak strikes and die problems at the San Francisco Mint, so fewer pieces show the full head detail required for the “Full Head” designation. This coin ranks among the two finest known examples.
16. 1844 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $322,000
Bottom Line
This 1844 proof seated quarter is exceptionally rare and the only certified example of its type. Reports indicate possibly two other examples exist—one in the Smithsonian and one in an original proof set—adding to the uniqueness and value of this piece.
15. 1840-O Seated Liberty No Drapery Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $329,000
Bottom Line
The No Drapery design was struck only from 1838 to 1840. The New Orleans Mint produced 382,200 of the 1840-O type before the design was modified to add drapery. Most were circulated heavily, so mint-state survivors are extremely scarce. This specimen is a Briggs 1-A variety and among the finest known.
14. 1841 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $345,000
Bottom Line
Only four proof quarters from 1841 are known, and this coin is the finest of that small group. One of the other examples resides in the Smithsonian Institution.
13. 1828 B-3 25/5/50 Error Reverse Capped Bust Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $352,500
Bottom Line
Quarters dated 1828 were struck from four die combinations; the B-3 pairing is the rarest. This coin uses an obverse from the 1828 B-1/B-2 marriages and a reverse last used in 1822. Although many pieces from the stored 1822 die show die rust, this example is unusually clean and may be the finest certified B-3 and the finest 1828 quarter overall.
12. 1871-CC Liberty Seated Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $352,500
Bottom Line
Struck at the Carson City Mint with a mintage of 10,890, this example shows evidence of repunched date digits and a high-quality strike. Only three mint-state 1871-CC quarters are known, and this specimen is regarded as the most valuable among them.
11. 1873-CC No Arrows Liberty Seated Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $376,000
Bottom Line
Only 4,000 coins were struck at Carson City in January 1873, and most were melted after the Mint Act of 1873 changed silver coin weights. As a result, survivors are extremely rare—only five examples in any condition are known, and just three in mint state—making this an exceptional rarity.
10. Proof 1838 Seated Liberty Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $381,875
Bottom Line
The Seated Liberty design debuted in 1838 after Secretary of the Treasury Levi Woodbury requested sample strikes. These proof quarters were likely distributed to congressmen and officials. This is the only known proof quarter from 1838 in private hands and is in outstanding condition. It also represents the first year Seated Liberty quarters were produced.
9. 1818 B-8 Capped Bust Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $381,875
Bottom Line
A mint fire in 1816 led to production changes and the first proof coins in 1817. Proof quarters first appeared in 1818 and were produced in very limited numbers. Only two proof quarters from 1818 are known; the other resides at the Smithsonian. This piece is the finer of the two.
8. 1823/2 Proof Capped Bust Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $396,562.50
Bottom Line
This overdate shows a “2” beneath the “3” in the date. The reverse on this proof is incomplete, suggesting Chief Engraver Robert Scot—late in his career—did not finish it and instead used an overdated obverse. It was the last quarter he engraved before his death in November of that year. This is the only PCGS-certified proof quarter from 1823.
7. 1805 B-2 Draped Bust Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $402,500
Bottom Line
After only limited production in 1796 and 1804, the Mint’s 1805 output jumped to 121,394. Four varieties are known; this example is the B-2 and displays a “mint frost” luster more typical of later strikes. It is regarded as the finest graded 1805 quarter.
6. 1796 Proof-Like B-2 Draped Bust Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $411,250
Bottom Line
The 1796 quarter was the first quarter ever minted, featuring a Draped Bust obverse and a Small Eagle reverse. Production included 5,894 pieces in late 1796 and 252 in early 1797, and the Browning-2 varieties were likely struck first. This specimen’s sharp strike earns it the “proof-like” description and makes it one of the most important early quarters.
5. 1827/3/2 Capped Bust Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $411,250
Bottom Line
Every 1827 quarter is an overdate with a visible “3” beneath the “7.” Initially 4,000 originals were struck, but the Mint later restruck some using different die pairings. Original pieces display a curl-based “2” on the date, distinguishing them from later restrikes. Only nine original examples survive; this coin rates among the top four.
4. 1807 B-2 Draped Bust Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $411,250
Bottom Line
The 1807 issue uses unique obverse and reverse dies not repeated elsewhere in the early quarter series. Die cracks are visible on both sides and later dies shattered, suggesting limited surviving examples from the B-2 pair. This coin is the finest B-2 1807 known and ranks second among 1807 quarters overall.
3. 1850 Proof Liberty Seated Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $460,000
Bottom Line
Only two or three proof quarters dated 1850 are believed to exist. This example is the highest-quality specimen known and stands among the rarest proof Seated Liberty quarters.
2. 1839 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $517,500
Bottom Line
Proof coins from the period before 1858 are rare, and 1839 proofs are especially scarce. While a small run of proofs accompanied the Seated Liberty introduction in 1838, no official record indicates any were produced in 1839—leading many experts to consider this piece possibly unique. Its rarity and condition drive its high value.
1. 1796 B-2 Draped Bust Quarter
Heritage Auctions
Sold at auction: $1,527,500
Bottom Line
The 1796 B-2 quarter is historically significant as one of the first quarters struck at the Philadelphia Mint. A total of 6,146 quarters were produced that year; roughly 700 are estimated to survive, with only about 75 in mint condition. This specimen—struck from the early B-2 die pair—shows evidence of double striking on both sides and is considered the finest of the early 1796 quarters. Its rarity, condition and historical importance place it at the top of the list.