The US 1858 Quarter was designed by James B. Longacre and features the classic Liberty Head design. In 1858, the United States was nearing the end of the 1850s economic boom, but tensions over slavery were beginning to rise, eventually leading to the Civil War. The 1858 Quarter was struck in 90% silver, reflecting the U.S. Mints reliance on precious metals for its coinage at the time.
The US 1858 Quarter was part of a broader effort to modernize U.S. coin designs and improve coinage quality. Its silver composition symbolized the nations wealth, though the looming economic challenges would soon shape U.S. coinage into a new era. The 1858 Quarter became a crucial element in understanding the economic landscape just before the Civil War.