1851 United States 1/4 Dollar Value
Depending on how well it survived, a 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar brings anywhere from $7.06 to $76.19. Its intrinsic melt value stands at $7.06 based on spot prices from 2026-06-01 Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
Public domain image (struck or printed before 1926). Click to enlarge.
Melt estimated at the US 0.900 silver standard.
1851 United States 1/4 Dollar value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $7.06 |
| Good (G-4) | $7.06 to $8.47 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $7.06 to $8.72 |
| Fine (F-12) | $7.06 to $9.14 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $7.06 to $9.74 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $7.80 to $11.01 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $9.59 to $13.55 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $13.19 to $18.63 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $20.99 to $29.63 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $53.97 to $76.19 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-13. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
How much is a 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar worth today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar starts around $7.06. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $76.19. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1851 United States 1/4 Dollar specifications
- Series
- United States Coinage
- Year
- 1851
- Mint mark
- None (Philadelphia)
- Mintage
- Not recorded
- Composition
- Silver
- Weight
- 6.68 g
- Diameter
- 24 mm
- Silver content
- 0.19329 troy oz
Why this coin has no mint mark
The 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mint mark in this era. If you find no letter where branch-mint coins carry one (check the usual position for this series), you are holding a Philadelphia issue.
The value drivers behind this coin
The 90% silver composition gives a 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar 0.1933 oz of precious metal ($7.06 at current spot). Bullion demand alone supports the bottom of its price range.
Documented examples of the 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar in our reference database anchor what we know about this issue. Mintage records are incomplete, so collector demand and surviving population drive its market.
Few series carry the following that supports the 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. A coin that thousands of collectors are actively assembling into sets never lacks for a market.
1851 United States 1/4 Dollar inscriptions & design
Obverse
************* (date)
Liberty seated
Reverse
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; QUAR. DOL.
eagle, wings spread, shield on breast
Measured 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar specimens
2 physically measured 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 6.68 g, 24 mm minting standard.
| Specimen | Weight | Diameter | Die axis | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar #1 | 6.68 g | 24 mm | 6 h | Briggs.1851.1:A., Breen.3983 |
| 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar #2 | - | - | - | - |
Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.
Summary: the 1851 United States 1/4 Dollar is valued between $7.06 and $76.19 as of 2026-06-13. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.