The Barber quarter features a similar design to the other coins in the series. The obverse side of the coin depicts the head of Liberty facing right, wearing a Phrygian cap with the word "LIBERTY" inscribed on it. The year of mintage is located below Liberty's neck. The reverse side of the coin features an eagle with outstretched wings, holding an olive branch and arrows. Surrounding the eagle are the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "QUARTER DOLLAR."
The Barber quarter was produced at several U.S. Mint facilities, including Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O mint mark), San Francisco (S mint mark), and Denver (D mint mark). The mintage numbers varied from year to year and across different mint facilities. The highest mintage occurred in 1901, with over 19 million quarters produced.
There are a few notable varieties and rarities within the Barber quarter series. One of the most famous is the 1896-S Barber quarter, which has a low mintage and is highly sought after by collectors. Another notable variety is the 1901-S quarter, which has a different reverse design known as the "Micro S" variety. This variety features a smaller mint mark than the standard size.
The Barber quarter series came to an end in 1916 when it was replaced by the Standing Liberty quarter. The new design, created by Hermon A. MacNeil, featured a depiction of Liberty standing between two pillars. The change in design was part of a larger effort by the United States Mint to introduce more artistic and modern coinage.
Today, Barber quarters are popular among coin collectors due to their historical significance and attractive design. Many collectors strive to complete a set of Barber quarters, which includes all the different dates and mint marks within the series. The value of Barber quarters can vary depending on their condition, rarity, and overall demand in the numismatic market.
Key Dates
1896-S: The 1896-S Barber quarter is one of the most sought-after dates in the series. It has a low mintage of only 188,039 coins, making it quite scarce and valuable.
1901-S: The 1901-S Barber quarter is another important date. It is known for its "Micro S" variety, where the mint mark on the reverse is smaller than the standard size. This variety is highly coveted by collectors.
1913-S: The 1913-S Barber quarter is considered a key date due to its relatively low mintage of 40,000 coins. It is challenging to find in higher grades, making it quite valuable.
1896-O: The 1896-O Barber quarter, minted in New Orleans, has a relatively low mintage of 2,140,000 coins. It is scarce compared to other dates in the series.
1901: Although the 1901 Barber quarter has a higher mintage compared to some other key dates, it is still desirable among collectors due to its limited availability in higher grades.
1914-S: The 1914-S Barber quarter has a mintage of 264,000 coins, which is relatively low. It is often considered a semi-key date in the series.
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