Semi-Numismatic

1878 Liberty Seated Quarter AG

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The year 1878 marked a significant era in United States coinage, representing one of the final years of the celebrated Liberty Seated quarter series. Minted in Philadelphia, this twenty-five cent coin is composed of 90 percent silver, containing approximately 0.1788 troy ounces of precious metal. Even in an Almost Good state of preservation, the coin carries the unmistakable artistry of Christian Gobrecht, whose work defined American silver currency for decades. On the obverse side, Lady Liberty is depicted sitting upon a rock, her gaze directed toward the left. She holds a staff topped with a Phrygian cap, a classic symbol of freedom, while thirteen stars arch around the upper border to represent the original colonies. The date 1878 is clearly inscribed at the bottom of the design. The reverse side features a powerful eagle with its wings spread, facing left. A shield protects the eagle's chest, while its talons grasp symbols of both peace and defense: an olive branch in its right claw and three arrows in its left. This combination of symbolic elements makes the 1878 quarter a fascinating study in early American design.