Rare 1870 Quarter Sells for $84,375
A Carson City-struck Seated Liberty quarter brought the price at a GreatCollections auction on November 8.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Collecting
One of the roughly 8,340 Seated Liberty quarters minted in 1870 at the Carson City Mint in Nevada sold for $84,375 at a GreatCollections auction on November 8. The coin was the first quarter struck at the Carson City Mint.
Why it matters
The sale highlights how strong collector demand for scarce early U.S. coins can push prices far above face value. Because the date is frequently counterfeited or altered, buyers are advised to rely on authentication by a major grading service.
The 1870 Seated Liberty quarter is struck in .900 fine silver, weighs 6.22 grams and measures 24.3 millimeters across. The source does not report the coin's grade or whether it was altered.
The players
GreatCollections
GreatCollections is an online auction house that organized the sale of the rare coin.
The details
The coin shows Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield inscribed LIBERTY, with 13 stars for the original colonies and the year 1870. The reverse depicts an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch above the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
Timeline
1870: Carson City Mint strikes the first Seated Liberty quarters.
November 8, 2026: Coin sells for $84,375 at a GreatCollections auction.
Collecting Trends
Carson City-minted silver coins from the 1870s have long drawn premium prices because their low mintages leave few examples on the market. This sale follows that pattern of scarce western-mint issues commanding high auction results.
Collectors interested in this series can compare certified examples through major grading services before buying. Buyers should confirm authentication, since the 1870 date is frequently counterfeited or altered.
The takeaway
Before buying a rare coin, check its certification from a major grading service, since altered dates are a common risk for scarce issues like this one.
Further reading
Explore more on Collecting for other rare coins and how auction prices are set.
