Seated Liberty Quarters were issued for a relatively lengthy period of 53 years, representing the longest design duration for the denomination up to that point. Mintage figures varied widely during the course of the series, with some scarce issues carrying original mintages in the low thousands and other common issues exceeding 10 million.
Coins were struck at Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City. The design underwent numerous changes which results in six different subtypes within the series. The different mints and subtypes provide collectors with the opportunity to collect the series for a defined range, rather than in its entirety.
Mintages aside, finding original examples can be difficult for virtually every issue. Circulated Seated Liberty Quarters with original surfaces and above average eye appeal can trade for large premiums over average circulated coins or problem coins of the same date and grade. For some issues of the series, no Uncirculated coins are known, and the finest pieces are represented by only a small number of AU pieces.
