Oct 24th, 2024 ·
Draped Bust quarters are a significant part of U.S. coinage history. They were among the first United States quarters to be minted in Philadelphia and, thus, played a role in establishing a national currency.
The Draped Bust design was created by Robert Scot and used from 1796 until 1807, when the U.S. Mint stopped producing these coins. The coin’s obverse depicts a portrait of Lady Liberty with flowing locks. The reverse side initially depicted a small eagle surrounded by a wreath, but this design changed to a heraldic eagle in 1798.
Due to limited production, Draped Bust quarters are seen as rare and valuable by collectors. If you have any Draped Bust quarters in your collection and are interested in their value, you can reach out to us for a free at-home or online coin appraisal.
Otherwise, you might like to download our free instant value guide to find out their worth for yourself.
Now, let’s explore six of the most valuable Draped Bust quarters in 2024.
Year: 1796
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 6,146
Price Based on Condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1796 Draped Bust quarter is highly sought after by collectors. It holds immense historical significance as the first quarter to ever be produced by the United States Mint, as well as being the only quarter struck in the 18th century.
This coin has an exceptional love mintage of 6,146, and only 650 examples are believed to exist across all grades.
Coins in circulated condition from this year can go for anywhere between $6,000 and $100,000. Higher-quality specimens can be worth millions, as demonstrated in 2022 when one such coin sold for $1,740,000 at auction.
Year: 1804
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 6,738
Price Based on Condition:
Image Credit: Numismatic Guaranty Company
As the second quarter dollar ever produced by the U.S. Mint, the 1804 Draped Bust quarter is another valuable coin in this series. It features a heraldic eagle on the reverse, marking a change from the original small eagle design that was used for the 1796 series.
Due to its low mintage, this coin is very rare and valuable across all grades. In circulated condition, it can be worth between $3,250 and $95,000.
Well-preserved examples of this coin can fetch much higher prices, as seen in 2011 when one such specimen achieved an auction record of $345,000.
Year: 1805
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 121,394
Price Based on Condition:
Image Credit: Numismatic Guaranty Company
1805 marked the U.S. Mint’s first serious production of quarters. Despite several challenges, including coin shortages and a lack of technical expertise and equipment, the 1805 Draped Bust quarter had a mintage of 121,394—the highest yet.
Coin shortages in the early 19th century caused these coins to be highly circulated. This means that not many examples exist in uncirculated conditions, making them incredibly rare and valuable.
In circulated condition, these coins can be worth between $325 and $11,000. However, in high-quality condition, these coins can go for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Year: 1807
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 220,643
Price Based on Condition:
Image Credit: Numismatic Guaranty Company
The 1807 Draped Bust quarter is significant for a few reasons. Firstly, it was the last quarter to use the Draped Bust design, and it was also the final year of production before the U.S. Mint took an eight-year-long break.
This run of quarters was also the highest yet, with just over 200,000 pieces produced. Due to these factors, this coin is sought after by collectors and historians alike.
In circulated condition, these coins are worth between $335 and $11,000. At higher grades, well-preserved examples can earn greater prices, even fetching hundreds of thousands of dollars on the market.
Year: 1806
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 206,124
Price Based on Condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1806 Draped Bust quarter has the second-highest mintage in the series, with over 200,000 produced, which is just behind the 1807 run. There are many circulated examples of this coin on the market; however, be careful of counterfeited or damaged coins.
In circulated condition, this coin is worth between $325 and $10,000. Uncirculated coins are worth even more—around $25,000.
The auction record for a coin in this series is $102,000 in 2018, but they can be priced even higher in private sales.
Year: 1806
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: unknown (included in 1806 run)
Price Based on Condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1806/5 Draped Bust quarter is extremely rare and highly sought after, being the only overdate in the series. It also marks the first overdate in quarter coin production. The overdate error is represented by a “6” struck over a previously engraved “5,” creating an overlap.
While this coin is fairly common in circulated grades, it is very rare and valuable in higher-quality states. In circulated condition, these coins can sell for prices ranging from $500 to $13,500. High-quality specimens can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Draped Bust quarter coinage is an incredibly important part of U.S. coinage. Their historical significance helps them achieve high prices on the market and even at auction.
If you have any such coins in your collection, you might be looking for the best ways to sell a Draped Bust quarter collection.
As these coins are often counterfeited, it’s important to get them appraised. You can reach out to us for a free coin appraisal from one of our experts.
You also might like to sell your valuable Draped Bust quarters online using our service.
Sources/research:
Wyatt McDonald President & Co-Founder of Coinfully. A student of numismatics and trained in the ANA Seminar in Denver, Wyatt is the face of Coinfully and a true expert. After spending a decade buying coins over the counter at a coin shop, he knew there had to be a better way, for everyone involved.
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