Coin

¼ Dollar "Seated Liberty Quarter" without motto (1842) — United States

United States • 1842 • KM# 64.2 Small date

¼ Dollar "Seated Liberty Quarter" without motto (1842) — United States

Overview

A silver ¼ Dollar "Seated Liberty Quarter" of the United States, minted in 1842 at the New Orleans Mint. The obverse features Seated Liberty looking right above her shoulder, with a cap on a stick and a shield, surrounded by 13 stars. The reverse depicts an eagle with arrows and an olive branch in its talons. Struck in silver (.900) and copper (.100), this standard business strike variant is designated as the 'Small date' version.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
1842
Composition
Silver (.900) (.100 copper)
Weight
6.68 g
Diameter
24.3 mm
Thickness
1.75 mm
Mint
United States Mint of New Orleans
Mintmark
O
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 64.2 Small date
Issuer
United States

Design details

Obverse

Seated Liberty looking right above her shoulder, with a cap on a stick and a shield, 13 stars around

Reverse

Eagle with arrows and olive branch in talons

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Christian Gobrecht is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Struck at: United States Mint of New Orleans (mintmark O). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Precious metal content: Silver (.900) (.100 copper) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 64.2 Small date. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

In 1842, the United States was navigating a complex economic period following the Panic of 1837, which emphasized the need for reliable silver coinage. The New Orleans Mint, established in 1838 to serve the Southern United States, played a critical role in expanding the reach of federal currency in the Gulf region. This specific issue represents the 'no motto' subtype of the Seated Liberty series, reflecting the secular design standards of the mid-19th century.

Design heritage

The design was executed by Christian Gobrecht, the Third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, who drew inspiration from Thomas Sully's sketches for the Seated Liberty motif. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock with a shield and liberty cap, while the reverse depicts a heraldic eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch. Gobrecht's neoclassical aesthetic defined American silver coinage from the late 1830s through the late 19th century.

Varieties and technical notes

Collectors should examine the reverse below the eagle for the 'O' mint mark identifying the New Orleans facility. This year features two distinct portrait variants known as the Small Date and the Large Date, which differ in the size and spacing of the numerals in the year. The reeded edge should be inspected for consistent spacing, and the absence of the 'In God We Trust' motto is correct for all genuine examples of this date.

Survival and modern availability

Total mintage for the New Orleans issue remains relatively low compared to Philadelphia strikes of the same era, leading to higher scarcity in the modern market. Many specimens show signs of heavy circulation due to the intense commercial use of silver quarters in the 19th-century American South. High-grade examples are notably difficult to locate as many were lost to attrition or later melted down during changes in silver weight standards.

More from United States

Other ¼ Dollar "Seated Liberty Quarter" without motto issues

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