Barber Quarter 25c 1892-1915 PR DCAM [Type]

Designer: Charles E. Barber. Weight: 6.25 grams. Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper (net weight .18084 oz. pure silver). Diameter: 24.3 mm.

Edge: Reeded. Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, San Francisco.

Key to Collecting: Today, among circulation-strike Barber quarters, probably 90% or more in existence are G-4 or below, a curious situation repeated in the dime and half dollar series. Although contemporary listings hardly ever mention this, assembling a set of dates and mintmarks in VF, EF, or AU grade might well take a year or more to do! Mint State coins are quite scarce, this being especially true of the mintmarked issues. Among type coins dated in the 20th century, a gem Mint State Barber quarter is one of the scarcest. Choice and gem coins are usually of Philadelphia Mint varieties or, if of branch mints, dated after 1905. For some reason, those of the final several years are often quite “baggy,” with numerous marks, this being especially true of the 1916.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: The obverse of the typical Barber quarter is usually fairly well struck, although the higher hair details and star centers should be checked. The reverses of most Barber quarters are fairly well struck except for the lower right area of the eagle, including the leg and talons. The upper right area of the shield and nearby wing can also be weak. The denticles are usually sharp on the obverse and reverse.

Proof Coins: Proofs exist in proportion to their mintages. More choice examples tend to be of later dates. Most are sharply struck. The Proofs of 1892 to 1901 usually have cameo contrast between the designs and the mirror fields. Later Proofs vary in contrast.