1899 Quarter Coin Value (Errors List, “O”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

If you’re building a Barber quarters collection, you are probably curious about the 1899 quarter value. Being the final year before the dies were changed, 1899 is a peculiar issue for collectors. This year also recorded one of the highest and lowest mintages in the entire Barber quarters series, making the 1899 quarter all the more interesting.

This guide will take you through the coin’s origins, its physical attributes, and tips for grading your coin like a pro. You’ll also discover fascinating minting errors that can raise the value of your quarter.

So, let’s find out: how much is a 1899 quarter worth?

1899 Quarter Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1899-No Mint Mark Quarter Value	$15	$25	$100	$12,500
1899-O Quarter Value	$35	$70	$225	$15,500
1899-S Quarter Value	$35	$150	$275	$14,000
1899- Proof Quarter Value	–	–	–	$11,500

 

 

History of the 1899 Quarter

The 1899 quarter was the last in the Barber coinage series before the dies were modified in 1900. For much of the latter part of the 19^th century, many United States silver coins featured the Seated Liberty design by Christian Gobrecht. However, the design, seen as having too much English influence, received a lot of criticism, and the public called for the Mint to change it.

After a lot of lobbying by pro-redesign lawmakers, President Benjamin Harrison signed legislation allowing each U.S. coin to be eligible for redesign 25 years after it was first minted. As such, the Seated Liberty design, which had been used since the 1830s, could now be changed without Congressional approval.

A new pro-redesign Mint Director, Edward Leech, took office in October 1890. He, together with Chief Engraver Charles Barber, drove efforts to finally replace the Seated Liberty design. Leech organized a competition, inviting elite artists to submit designs for the new coin. But since only the winner would be rewarded with $500 in cash, many of the artists did not participate, and the competition failed.

Leech then turned to his Chief Engraver, Barber, and asked him to present a design for the new coin series. Both men had different ideas about the new design and engaged in a lengthy back-and-forth before they finally agreed on a design. President Harrison approved the Barber design in November 1891, paving the way for production the following January.

The Barber coinage was minted from 1892 to 1916. Production of quarters peaked in 1899, a year that saw the highest mintage at the Philadelphia Mint in the entire series. Although the 1899 quarter might not be the scarcest of all, it is still a worthwhile addition to your Barber collection. Die varieties and minting errors, such as re-punched dates found in this issue, can also significantly increase your quarter’s value.

Also read: Top 13 Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money

 

Features of the 1899 Quarter

Next, we’ll look at the features of the 1899 quarter. By familiarizing yourself with these physical characteristics, you can authenticate, grade your coin, and identify Barber quarters worth money.

So, here’s what to look out for:

Obverse of the 1899 Quarter

The obverse features Liberty’s right-facing portrait in which she wears a Phrygian cap and adorns a laurel on her head with the words LIBERTY at the top of her forehead.

The words IN GOD WE TRUST are etched at the top above Liberty’s portrait, while the date, 1899, is shown at the bottom. Thirteen stars, six to the left and seven to the right, encircle Liberty’s portrait. The stars represent the original thirteen states.

Reverse of the 1899 Quarter

On the reverse is a portrait of the heraldic eagle holding a flag in its beak with the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM, meaning “Out of Many, One.” A shield on the eagle’s chest represents independence and a readiness to defend the nation.

The eagle also holds an olive branch in its left talon, representing peace, and a bunch of arrows symbolizing victory and self-defense.

Above the eagle’s portrait is a constellation of stars, also representing the thirteen states. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is inscribed along the rim at the top, while the denomination QUARTER DOLLARS is etched at the bottom.

Similar to the obverse, small denticles decorate the rim on the reverse.

Other Features of the 1899 Quarter

Additional features of the 1899 quarter worth noting include:

• Diameter: 24.30 millimeters
• Weight: 6.30 grams
• Edge: Reeded
• Metal composition: 89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper
• ASW: 0.1808oz
• Fineness: 0.9

Also read: Top 16 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money

 

1899 Quarter Grading

#	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

Grading a 1899 quarter can be challenging because many survivors are heavily worn and almost ungradable. That said, grading involves examining your coin for wear, strike quality, and luster.

Pay attention to high-contact points that wear out first, such as Liberty’s facial features, stars, and date. On the reverse, examine the stars, shield, talons, and inscriptions for signs of wear. Heavy wear points to a lower grade, while crisp details and bold outlines are signs of a higher-grade coin.

Higher grade quarters will have their original mint luster with shiny, smooth, problem-free surfaces. Lower-grade coins, on the other hand, will show a dull surface with little to no luster.

Check Out Now: How to Grade Barber Quarter?

 

1899 Quarter Value Guides 

So, how much is the 1899 quarter? The market value of these old quarters depends on their physical condition, mintage and rarity, and mintmark. This issue was minted in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco, so we’ll look at the three business strike varieties and the proof coin.

The varieties are:

• 1899 No-mint mark Quarter
• 1899-O Quarter
• 1899-S Quarter
• 1899 Proof Quarter

Let’s look at how much it is worth.

1899 No-Mint mark Quarter Value

The Philadelphia Mint struck about 12,624,000 quarters in 1899, the highest mintage in the entire Barber quarters series. This means circulated examples are generally common, and Mint State quarters are also relatively easy to collect until grade MS65. However, Gems are scarce, and their prices can be a bit prohibitive.

Here’s a breakdown of the values:

• Circulated Examples: These are common across all grades and accessible to most collectors. An example graded Poor/Average is worth about $10, one graded Good (G) will sell for up to $15, while a Fine (F) one is valued at $25. Extremely Fine (XF) survivors are worth slightly more, selling for about $100, while the relatively scarce About Uncirculated (AU58) will fetch at least $265.
• Mint State Examples: Uncirculated examples are plentiful and affordable in lower grades, but prices increase further up the grading scale. An MS60 will sell for about $290 while an MS62 is worth at least $310. Prices rise significantly at MS63, where examples will fetch as much as $550 and $700 for an MS64. Gems graded MS65 will command prices as high as $1,100, while a rare MS67 will sell for up to $12,500.
• Auction Record: In a record-breaking sale in 2020, Stack’s Bowers auctioned an MS67 for an impressive $13,200.

1899-O Quarter Value

Next, we’ll look at the value of the 1899-O quarter, which had a noticeably low mintage of about 2,644,000 compared to the large population of the 1899-P quarter. This issue is neither rare nor plentiful, but circulated examples are relatively common in lower grades while Mint State pieces are generally scarce.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

• Circulated Examples: These are plentiful in the lower grades, and most collectors will afford them. However, the population of circulated 1899-O quarters begins to dwindle from grade Fine (F) to About Uncirculated (AU). Pieces graded Good (G) are worth about $35, but prices double to $70 for survivors graded Fine (F). Extremely Fine (XF) examples are scarce and will fetch significantly more at about $225, while genuinely scarce About Uncirculated (AU58) pieces command as much as $525.
• Mint State Examples: Uncirculated 1899-O quarters are moderately scarce in lower grades and rare in higher grades. One graded MS60 is worth as much as $625, while an MS62 will sell for up to $850. Prices increase dramatically at MS63, where pieces can fetch as much as $1,300 and up to $2,000 for an MS64. Gems graded MS65 are genuinely rare as reflected by their prices, with examples fetching as much as $4,000 and up to $15,500 for an extremely rare MS67.
• Auction Record: In 1997, Bowers & Merena auctioned an MS66 for an impressive $16,500, making this one of the most valuable 1899-O quarters to date.

1899-S Quarter Value

Next up is the 1899-S quarter, minted at the San Francisco Mint. Only an estimated 708,000 quarters were produced that year, making this one of the lowest mintages in the series.

So, how much are 1899-S quarters? Here’s what to expect:

• Circulated Examples: Due to the low mintage, circulated examples are scarce even in lower grades. Pieces graded Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (AU58) are extremely rare. An example graded Poor/Average will sell for as much as $30, a Good (G) one will fetch up to $45, while a Fine (F) piece will bring in as much as $165. Prices rise significantly further up the grade, with Extremely Fine (XF) fine quarters selling for as much as $350
• Mint State Examples: Uncirculated examples are scarce in lower grades and rarer as you go further up the grade. At MS60, a quarter will sell for as much as $1,550 while an MS62 is valued at about $2,000. A rare MS64 will command double the price at about $4,000 while an MS65 will sell for at least $5,400. Rare Gems graded MS66 are worth up to $7,500 while an MS67 will command as much as $14,000.
• Auction Record: In a record-shattering auction in 2005, Heritage Auctions sold an MS68 for a whopping $19,550, making this one of the most valuable 1899-S quarters.

 

Rare 1899 Quarter Errors List

Several minting errors are found in the 1899 Barber quarter series, and some can significantly raise the value of your coin.

Here are some 1899 quarter errors worth collecting:

1. 1899 Quarter Re-Punched Date Error

Re-punched dates are common on early coins, such as the 1899 quarter, because of the manual process used to strike these coins.

This error occurs when the date is punched into the die multiple times at slightly different positions, causing the digits to overlap from each strike. On many 1899 quarters, the overlapping is most visible on the last “9.”

In 2015, a collector paid $150 for a 1899-S quarter graded Very Good (VG) with a re-punched date error.

2. 1899 Quarter Doubled Die Error

Another error that comes up in the 1899 issue is the doubled die, which happens when the die strikes the planchet multiple times at different positions. This causes visible doubling or a ghost outline on the design elements or inscriptions.

The stronger or more visible the doubling, the more valuable the error tends to be. In 1899 quarters, doubling is most common on the inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and QUARTER DOLLARS. A ghost outline may also appear along Liberty’s portrait on the obverse.

Heritage Auctions sold a 1899-O quarter graded Extremely Fine (XF) with an obverse and reverse doubled die error for an impressive $315, making this error a worthwhile addition to your collection.

3. 1899 Quarter Die Crack Error

Die cracks are also very common on early coins, mostly due to the poor minting techniques. In the 1899 issue, die cracks are most common on the Philadelphia-minted quarters, which can be attributed to the high mintage that may have caused the dies to wear out.

Die cracks occur when a crack appears on the die’s surface and is eventually filled with small metal pieces as the die continues to be put to use. The filled-in cracks form raised bumps and are transferred to the coin’s surface as the die strikes the planchet.

Larger, eye-catching dies are generally more valuable than smaller ones. For example, in 2020, an eBay collector paid $350 for a 1899-P quarter graded About Uncirculated (AU58) with a large obverse die crack across Liberty’s portrait.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Quarter Errors Worth Money

 

Where to Sell Your 1899 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 1899 quarter worth?

The value of a 1899 quarter depends on its condition and rarity. Prices range from $10 for a worn piece to $14,000 or more for an uncirculated quarter.

Is an 1889 quarter rare?

Some 1889 quarters are rare, especially the Mint State and Gem examples. Circulated quarters are generally common, but most survivors are heavily worn. Focusing your effort on collecting Mint State and Gem examples will pay off, given that these quarters are of a higher value.

How to tell if a 1899 quarter is real?

First things first, compare your quarter to images of authentic 1899 quarters from reputable bodies such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC). Check that key features such as the diameter, weight, and edge are a match. You can also perform the magnet test; a silver coin should not stick to the magnet.