1873 Quarter Patterns

About This Coin

Produced at the Philadelphia Mint during the final year of the Trade Dollar Era Patterns (1871-1873), the 1873 Quarter Patterns present William Barber's vision for the twenty-five-cent denomination when the Seated Liberty quarter had been in production over three decades. The obverse carries Barber's seated Liberty facing left with olive branch and wheat sheaf — proposing replacement of the familiar quarter design with a more dynamic, commercially themed composition reflecting America's growing international trade role. The reverse features an eagle perched on a bale of goods with olive branch and three arrows, maintaining visual consistency across denominations. A notable result of $17K in PR65 grade at American Numismatic Rarities confirms strong demand for quarter-denomination patterns occupying a sweet spot between smaller denominations and prohibitively priced gold pieces. The 1873 quarter patterns belong to Barber's comprehensive redesign that, while never adopted in original form, laid groundwork for his later appointment as Chief Engraver and production of the Barber dime, quarter, and half dollar series of 1892 that served the nation for a quarter century.