1896 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “O”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Are 1896 Barber quarters worth collecting? If you are building your Barber Quarters set, you are probably curious about the 1896 quarter value. One thing is certain, if you want to build a complete set, the 1896 quarter is certainly an important piece of the coin puzzle you are putting together.

The 1896 quarter is definitely worth collecting, especially the ultra-scarce 1896-S variety. Mint State examples are fairly rare but can be an excellent addition, with the ability to significantly boost the value of your collection.

This guide will walk you through the history of the 1896 quarter and its most outstanding features. You will also learn how to grade and authenticate your silver quarter, and discover valuable minting errors worth pursuing for your collection.

So, let’s jump in and find out: How much is the 1896 quarter worth?

1896 Quarter Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1896-No Mint Mark Quarter Value	$20	$40	$130	$11,500
1896-O Quarter Value	$85	$300	$800	$32,500
1896-S Quarter Value	$875	$3,000	$6,000	$52,500
1896- Proof Quarter Value	–	–	–	$12,750

 

History of the 1896 Quarter

The 1896 quarter belongs to the Barber Series, which the United States Mint struck from 1892 to 1916. The Seated Liberty design, created by Mint Engraver, Christian Gobrecht had been used on U.S. silver coins since the 1830s. But by the 1880s, the public had grown increasingly discontented with the Seated Liberty design, which was seen to have English influence.

In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signed a new piece of law authorizing the Mint to redesign all U.S. coins. Afterward, any coin would be eligible for redesigning 25 years after it was produced, according to the new legislation. By this time, the Mint had acquired a new Chief Engraver by the name Charles E. Barber, who would be instrumental in the redesigning of the new coins.

At around the same time, the Mint also appointed a new director, Edward O. Leech who was also keen on redesigning U.S. coins. Together with Barber, Leech organized a competition inviting elite artists to submit proposals or models for the new design. However, because only the winner would be compensated, most of the invited artists declined the invitation to participate. Leech, determined to go ahead with the redesign process, turned to Barber to create new designs for the silver coins.

Barber and Leech engaged in a lengthy, sometimes acrimonious back and forth as they prepared designs for the new coins. Eventually, Barber created designs that Leech could endorse, after which President Harrison approved in 1891.

The 1896 quarter is not considered a key date but the 1896-S quarter is rare and highly sought-after by collectors. That said, if you are building your Barber quarters collection, the 1896 quarter is an important piece for completing your set.

Also read: Top 13 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money

 

Features of the 1896 Quarter

Next, we’ll look at the features of the 1896 quarter. Familiarizing yourself with these physical attributes will help in grading and authenticating your silver quarter, and spotting Barber quarters worth money.  Here’s what to look for:

Obverse of the 1896 Quarter

The obverse shows Liberty’s right-facing profile in which she adorns a Phrygian cap and a laurel-decorated headband with the word LIBERTY at the front.

The motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, is etched at the top above Lady Liberty while the date appears at the bottom.

Thirteen stars, six to the left and seven to the right, flank Liberty’s portrait. These stars represent the initial thirteen states to join the Union.

Reverse of the 1896 Quarter

The reverse has a more detailed design featuring the heraldic eagle with wings stretched out. A shield appears on the eagle’s chest, representing independence and sovereignty.

In its right talon, the eagle holds a bunch of arrows, which symbolize a readiness to defend the Union, while an olive branch in the left talon represents peace.

The eagle also holds a flag in its beak with the inscriptions, E PLURIBUS UNUM, which translate to: Out of Many, One. Above the eagle’s head is a constellation of thirteen stars, also representing the thirteen original states.

The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are etched in an arch along the upper half of the coin, while the denomination, QUARTER DOLLAR, is inscribed at the bottom.

Other Features of the 1896 Quarter

Additional notable features of the 1896 quarters include:

• Diameter: 24.30 millimeters
• Weight: 6.30 grams
• Edge: Reeded
• Metal Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
• ASW: 0.1808oz
• Fineness: 0.9

Also read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money

 

1896 Quarter Grading

Due to their old age, circulated 1896 quarters can be difficult to grade. However, there are some key features to examine to estimate your coin’s grade.

Check the high-contact pints including the word LIBERTY on the headband, Liberty’s hair and laurel wreath which will show more detail in higher grades, and eagle’s wings and shield, which will equally display stronger details in higher grades.

Watch out for uncirculated examples, which typically fetch a premium and are more desirable. These coins will show little to no sign of wear, and will display full mint luster, and sharp details on the aforementioned high contact points.

#	Grade
1	Basal State-1
2	Fair
3	Very Fair
4, 5, 6	Good
7, 8, 10	Very Good
12, 15	Fine
20, 30	Very Fine
40	Extremely Fine
50	About Uncirculated
60	Mint State
65	Mint State
70	Mint State

 

Check Out Now: How to Grade Barber Quarter?

 

1896 Quarter Value Guides

 So, just how much is the 1896 quarter worth? The value of this historic coin depends on factors such as the mintage, mintmark, condition, and rarity.

The 1896 Barber quarter was minted in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco, as such there are four varieties of this coin based on the mintmark. These are the:

• 1896 No-Mint mark Quarter
• 1896-O Quarter
• 1896-S Quarter
• 1896 Proof Quarter

Let’s take a look at how much each is worth.

1896 No-Mint mark Quarter Value

The first 1896 quarters were minted in Philadelphia where the mint produced a total of 3,874,000 silver quarters, that year’s highest mintage. Circulated 1896 quarters are common although most existing survivors are heavily worn.

Here’s a breakdown of the value of 1896 Barber quarters:

• Circulated Examples: These are common in all grades but are heavily worn. Examples will typically fetch more than face value although premium prices are not common unless for uncirculated pieces. An example graded Poor/Average will sell for about $15, a Good (G) for $20, and a Fine (F) one for about $40. Pieces in higher grades such as Extremely Fine (XF) will fetch as much as $130 while an About Uncirculated (AU58) will sell for up to $300.
• Mint State Examples: Unlike previous issues such as the 1892-P, uncirculated 1896 quarters are only slightly scarce; accessing examples up to MS64 is fairly straightforward but Gems are significantly scarce and rare at the highest grades. In lower grades, examples are fairly affordable with an MS60 selling for about $325 and an MS62 for $400 but prices rise significantly at MS64 where pieces can sell for as much as $785. Gems graded MS65 will command at least $1,300 while an extremely rare MS67 will sell for as much as $11,500.
• Auction Record: In 2009, Heritage Auctions sold an MS67 for $18,400, in a record-breaking auction.

1896-O Quarter Value

Next, we’ll look at the 1896-O quarter, struck at the New Orleans Mint with a mintage of 1,484,000. A drastically lower mintage than its Philadelphia counterparts makes the 1896-O quarter quite scarce in lower grades and even rarer in higher grades. Circulated examples graded Fine and higher are significantly scarce and in high demand from collectors.

So, how much is an 1896-O worth? Here’s what to expect:

• Circulated Examples: These are fairly scarce even in lower grades and existing survivors are heavily worn. But their scarcity means that these coins will fetch good money even in lower grades. For example, one graded Good (G) will sell for as much as $85 while a highly sought-after example graded Fine (F) will fetch as much as $300. An Extremely Fine (XF) will command prices as high as $800 while a rare About Uncirculated (AU58) will bring in at least $1,300.
• Mint State Examples: Mint State examples are genuinely rare and will fetch premium prices even in lower grades. For example, an MS60 will fetch as much as $1,500 while an MS63 will sell for at least $2,850. A rare MS64 will bring in up to $3,750 while an MS65, regarded as a genuinely rare gem will fetch at least $7,000. At the highest end of the grade, an MS67 will command prices as high as $32,500.
• Auction Record: In 2007, Heritage Auctions sold an MS67 for a remarkable $80,500.

1896-S Quarter Value

Next, we have the 1896-S Barber quarter minted in San Francisco with a mintage of 188,039, the lowest in the 1896 quarter series and is scarce in all grades. The 1896-S is actually one of the three rarest Barber quarters in the entire series.

Due to its scarcity, the 1896-S is prone to counterfeiting but one way to authenticate your coin is to check the mintmark position. All 1896-S quarters have the mintmark placed between the R in QUARTER and the D in DOLLAR.

But there are two different dies in which the mintmark S is positioned lower and closer to the R and the other where the S is placed higher and farther away from the R. If you come across an 1896-S where the mintmark is not in any of these positions, it is probably a counterfeit.

Examples are scarce in all grades, with Mint State pieces being genuinely rare and in high demand while gems are equally in short supply.

Here’s a breakdown of the values:

• Circulated Examples: These are acutely rare across all grades and will fetch premium prices from the get go. An example graded Poor/Average will sell for as much as $550, a Good (G) one for $875 and a Fine (F) one for $3,000. An Extremely Fine example will fetch as much as $6,000 while one graded About Uncirculated (AU58) will sell for at least $14,000.
• Mint State Examples: Uncirculated examples are extremely rare and even lower grades will command premiums. For example, an MS60 will sell for as much as $17,500 while a rare MS62 will bring in up to $20,000. At MS64, pieces will sell for at least $28,500 while gems graded MS65 will command prices as high as $52,500.
• Auction Record: In a record-breaking sale in 2020, Stack’s Bowers sold an MS66 for an impressive $96,000.

1896 Proof Quarter Value

In addition to regular quarters, the Philadelphia Mint also struck about 762 proof coins. Regular-quality proofs are common and Gems, including Cameos and Deep Cameos are also relatively accessible.

Here’s what to expect:

• Regular Proofs: These are fairly common and affordable with pieces graded PF60 selling for about $390 while those graded PF63 will bring in as much as $900. At highest end of the grade, a PF70 will sell for at least $5600.
• Gem Proofs: Cameo pieces will command slightly higher prices with a PF62 selling for as much as $700, a PF66 can fetch up to $4,000, while at the highest end of the grade, a rare PF69 can sell for up to
• Auction Record: In 2016, Heritage Auctions sold a PF68 for an impressive $22, 325.

 

 

 

Rare 1896 Quarter Errors List

A few minting errors come up in the 1896 quarter series. Here are some notable ones that can increase the value of your 1896 quarter.

1. 1896 Quarter Re-punched Date Error

A re-punched date is an error in which the date is struck more than once, resulting in an overlap between the primary and secondary strike. This error is quite common on 1896 no-mintmark quarters, where the “6” in the date, 1896, appears to have been punched over a different digit or an incorrectly punched number “6.” A re-punched date error is worth between $20-$100, depending on the coin’s condition and the intensity of the doubling on the date.

2. 1896 Quarter Doubled Die Error

A doubled die error occurs when the die strikes the planchet multiple times at slightly different angles. This results in a visible doubling on the devices and/or inscriptions. On some 1896 quarters, doubling is common on the words IN GOD WE TRUST and the date 1896 on the obverse. On the reverse, doubling is common on the denomination, QUARTER DOLLARS. Depending on the strength of doubling, a doubled die error can boost the value of your 1896 quarter by $10-$50.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Quarter Errors Worth Money

 

Where to Sell Your 1896 Quarter?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

FAQs

How much is a 1896 quarter worth today?

The value of an 1896 quarter varies a lot depending on factors such as the coin’s condition, mintmark and mintage. Prices for this historic coin range from $20 to $52, 500.

Do 1896 Barber quarters exist today?

Yes. There are surviving examples of the 1896 quarters in all grades. However, many are heavily worn and can sometimes be difficult to grade.

Why are 1896 quarters rare?

The 1896 quarters are not necessarily rare, especially the 1896-P and 1896-O variety, which had a fairly high mintage. These coins are therefore quite common in circulated condition. The 1896-S quarters are genuinely rare and this is because of their low mintage. Generally, Mint State 1896 quarters are uncommon and in high-demand by collectors.