1869 United States 25 Cent Value
Depending on how well it survived, a 1869 United States 25 Cent brings anywhere from $0.05 to $0.52; the melt floor under every example is $0.05 (spot prices as of 2026-06-01) Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
Public domain image (struck or printed before 1926). Click to enlarge.
Melt estimated at 95% copper (US bronze standard).
1869 United States 25 Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.05 |
| Good (G-4) | $0.05 to $0.06 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $0.05 to $0.06 |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.05 to $0.06 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $0.05 to $0.07 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $0.05 to $0.07 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $0.07 to $0.09 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $0.09 to $0.13 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $0.14 to $0.20 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $0.37 to $0.52 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
Today's value of the 1869 United States 25 Cent
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1869 United States 25 Cent starts around $0.05. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $0.52. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1869 United States 25 Cent specifications
- Series
- United States Coinage
- Year
- 1869
- Mint mark
- None (Philadelphia)
- Mintage
- Not recorded
- Composition
- Copper
- Weight
- 4.99 g
- Diameter
- 23 mm
No mint mark? Here is why
The 1869 United States 25 Cent 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.
Why the 1869 United States 25 Cent is worth money
Without a firm mintage figure, the 1869 United States 25 Cent trades on what actually turns up. Documented museum specimens give collectors a benchmark for authenticity and typical preservation.
There is history in a 1869 United States Coinage as well. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
1869 United States 25 Cent inscriptions & design
Obverse
CIREMA FO SETATS DETINU 9681
Liberty hd. l., incuse
Reverse
value within wreath
Measured 1869 United States 25 Cent specimens
6 physically measured 1869 United States 25 Cent examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 4.99 g, 23 mm minting standard.
| Specimen | Weight | Diameter | Die axis | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1869 United States 25 Cent #1 | 17.748 g | 35 mm | - | Judd.p233.4, Pollock.3377 |
| 1869 United States 25 Cent #2 | 17.714 g | 35 mm | - | Judd.p234.2, Pollock.3380 |
| 1869 United States 25 Cent #3 | 4.99 g | 23 mm | - | Judd.728, Adams.Woodin.765, Pollock.809 |
| 1869 United States 25 Cent #4 | 4.98 g | 23 mm | 6 h | Judd.733, Adams.Woodin.760, Pollock.814 |
| 1869 United States 25 Cent #5 | - | 35 mm | - | Judd.p233.4, Pollock.3368 |
| 1869 United States 25 Cent #6 | - | 23 mm | - | Judd.722, Adams.Woodin.753, Pollock.803 |
Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.
Summary: the 1869 United States 25 Cent is valued between $0.05 and $0.52 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.