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Interesting Facts About Early U.S. Quarters:
-- The Capped Bust engraving designed by John Reich, appeared on all U.S. coins then in production, from the lowliest half cent through the highest denomination half eagle.
-- The Capped Bust silver quarter was the only U.S. quarter to be struck in two sizes. From 1815-1828 the coins diameter was 27mm. The size was reduced to 24.3mm for issues from 1831-1838, and still the size of our quarters today.
-- Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty designs was used on most U.S. silver coinage during the mid- and late-nineteenth centuries, including the half dime, the dime, the twenty cent piece, the quarter, the half dollar, and the silver dollar.
-- Seated Liberty silver quarter was minted for 53 years, a much longer production span than either previous U.S. quarter series.
-- The basic design of the Seated Liberty silver quarter was consistent through the years but there were many variations in drapery, arrows, rays and mottos.
-- Hermon A. MacNeil designed the famous Standing Liberty engraving. Liberty, with a exposed breast and thigh, holds a shield in one hand and an olive branch of peace in the other. On the reverse is an American Eagle in flight.
-- In 1917 the Standing Liberty quarter design was altered, including a modification to cover Liberty's breast with chain mail.
-- Introduced during World War I, the comparatively short-lived Standing Liberty quarter series was replaced by the Washington Quarter.
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