Owner Comments:
Total Graded: 18498
Total Prooflike: 40
Percentage: 0.2162%
All Barber coinage is difficult to locate in prooflike condition. The quarter is no exception. Despite 40 pieces being graded, these coins are rather difficult to locate, especially in grades of 64 or higher. If you do find one, the odds are that it will be from the early 1890’s (’92, ’93, or ’94), being the first years of the series.
Far less likely, you will find one from after the turn of the century. My coin, a 1900S, is the only one of the date graded PL. The coin is fantastically flashy, with strong mirrors and an exceptional strike. Die polish covers the coin, and a few wispy marks on the obverse keep the grade down. 1900S is a semi-key date in the Barber Quarter series, so finding one in prooflike condition was a great bonus.
Of course, I do also have an 1892, graded 64PL. This coin has a great strike (although not as good as the 1900S). The mirrors are quite strong. Eye appeal on the 1892 is considerably stronger than my 1900S though – this coin has noticeable cameo contrast on both sides. A small patch of marks in the obverse field keep the grade to a 64, but this is a solid coin. Funnily, I had been searching for a Barber quarter for a long time. The 1900S showed up at auction in mid-2014 and I quickly bought it. Less than a month later, the 1892 showed up and was selling for a great price – so I bought it also. Now I have 2, and that could never be a bad thing!