1897-S 25C Barber Quarter Dollar PCGS MS64

Despite the fact that the San Francisco Mint's production of quarters tripled over the amount struck in 1896, the 1897-S issue has the fifth lowest mintage of the entire Barber quarter series (542,229). Pieces are rare in all grades and mint state examples are in quite short supply. Population reports may be misleading for mint state 1897-S quarters, since this rarity may have been the subject of multiple submissions to attain a higher grade.

PCGS has graded 20 in MS64 with only 20 finer.

Charles E. Barber, the Chief Engraver who designed and engraved the Barber half dollar, quarter and dime series.

Numismatic scholar and art critic Cornelius Vermeule writes that, "Liberty's cap, incised diadem, and wreath of laurel were designed to echo all the depth and volume of her Olympian countenance. The classical substances are offset, almost literally, by the sharply rectangular dentils of the raised rim and the strength of 13 six-pointed stars. On the [reverse] ... an equal constellation of stars ... is clustered above the eagle's shaggy, craggy profile. On both sides the simple dignity of motto, legend, and denomination binds the pictorialism into a cohesive tondo. The wealth of irregular surfaces and sharp angles is an almost electrifying aesthetic experience. ... Uncirculated specimens [are] a pleasure to contemplate. The sculptor was unsurpassed in the mechanics of creating a durable design of monumental validity."