United States Barber Quarters
1892–1916 • 90% Silver • Liberty Head Design • The 1901-S King
Barber Quarters Value Guide
Key Dates and Typical Values by Grade
| Date / Mint | Mintage | Good (G-4) | Fine (F-12) | VF-20 | MS-63 | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common date (P) | Varies | $13 | $33 | $46 | $400+ | Shop |
| 1896-S | 188,039 | $600+ | $1,500+ | $3,000+ | $50,000+ | Shop |
| 1901-S — King of the Series | 72,664 | $5,000+ | $15,000+ | $20,000+ | $60,000+ | Shop |
| 1913-S | 40,000 | $1,800+ | $4,700+ | $7,300+ | $20,000+ | Shop |
| 1899-S | 708,000 | $40 | $100 | $250 | $5,000+ | Shop |
| 1901-O | 1,612,000 | $75 | $220 | $400 | $3,400+ | Shop |
| 1904-O | 2,456,000 | $20 | $40 | $100 | $3,000+ | Shop |
Barber quarters were struck from 1892 through 1916, and most dates remain affordable in circulated grades. Even so, every coin holds about 0.18 ounces of silver, so worn common dates trade above their melt value of roughly $10 (silver at $57.72 per ounce, October 2026). The key dates are another matter entirely. In particular, the 1901-S, 1896-S, and 1913-S cost four or five figures even in low grades. The values above reflect typical certified retail ranges for problem-free coins.
Barber quarters fit between the Seated Liberty quarters before them and the Standing Liberty quarters that followed, and our U.S. quarters overview covers every series. For values across all denominations, see the coin price guide. If you're still working out your coin's date, mint, or grade, start with What's My Coin Worth?
Origins of the Barber Quarter
The Liberty Head quarter, which collectors simply call the Barber quarter, ran from 1892 to 1916. It was part of a complete redesign of U.S. silver coinage by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber. The dime, quarter, and half dollar all debuted together in 1892, and all three share the same portrait of Liberty wearing a cap and laurel wreath.
Among the three, the quarter offers collectors a lot of variety. Four mints struck it over its 25-year run: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Denver in the later years. As a result, collectors get plenty of date and mint combinations, along with a truly challenging set of key dates.
The new design replaced the Seated Liberty motif that had served since 1838, because the Mint wanted a more unified, modern look across its silver coins. Barber's restrained, classical portrait suited the Gilded Age. Some critics later called it less inspired than the Standing Liberty quarter that replaced it in 1916. Still, the Barber quarter remains a core series for anyone collecting early 20th-century silver.
Design and Mint Marks
On the obverse, Liberty faces right in profile, wearing a cap and laurel wreath with LIBERTY on a headband, surrounded by thirteen stars. Meanwhile, the reverse carries a heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast, holding arrows and an olive branch. The mint mark sits on the reverse just below the eagle. No mark means Philadelphia, while O stands for New Orleans, S for San Francisco, and D for Denver, which joined the series in 1906.
That small letter matters enormously for value. The 1901 issue shows it best: Philadelphia struck 8,892,000 quarters that year, and they're common. San Francisco, by contrast, struck just 72,664, and the 1901-S is the most valuable regular-issue Barber quarter. In addition, New Orleans coins are often weakly struck, so sharp O-mint examples carry a premium.
Silver Content and Collectibility
Barber Quarter Melt Value
Each Barber quarter contains 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. That figure comes from the 90% silver, 10% copper alloy and the 6.25-gram weight the Mint adopted in 1873, late in the Seated Liberty series. At $57.72 per ounce (October 2026), the silver in one coin is worth about $10.44. Because of that, even a heavily worn common date is worth far more than its 25-cent face value.
Collector Premiums Above Melt
Collector demand adds a premium on top of melt. For example, most dealers treat only the most worn common dates as junk silver, while coins grading Good or better sell to collectors. The key dates, however, trade on rarity alone, and their prices have nothing to do with silver content.
A complete date-and-mint set is one of the tougher challenges in early 20th-century U.S. coins, and the 1901-S is the hardest coin to find. For that reason, many collectors build a run of common dates first and treat the "Big Three" — 1901-S, 1896-S, and 1913-S — as milestone purchases.
Key Dates and Major Rarities
1901-S — King of the Series
1896-S
1913-S
1899-S
1901-O & 1904-O
1892 — First Year
Related Coin Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most valuable Barber quarter?
Why is the 1901-S rarer than the 1913-S despite a higher mintage?
How much silver is in a Barber quarter?
How do I tell Barber quarter mint marks apart?
Should I buy raw or certified Barber quarters?
What is a good entry point for collecting Barber quarters?
Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins - Advice and instructions on grading and smart collecting, along with retail prices in up to 12 grades (including Proofs)
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