1892-S Barber Quarter Dollar, Mint State-66 (PCGS/SP)
Type 2 Reverse, Ex Duckor

Type 2 - Reverse hub in service 1892-1900 with eagle's wing at left covering most of the E in UNITED.

The fields are semi-prooflike, and set in light cameo contrast against the softly frosted devices. It is likely that this coin was struck early in the life of a fresh pair of dies, as there are no die cracks, clash marks, or die wear to suggest a relapped die state. The toning is light to medium gold, olive and amber in color, with intermittent splashes of iridescence. There are a couple of shallow, wispy scuffs in the right obverse field, some grazing hairlines across Liberty's trunk, and a noticeable contact mark just under Liberty's eye. As we might expect from an early state of well executed dies, the strike is uncompromisingly full, which is a rarity for business strike Barber Quarters. The stars are all sharp and in bold relief, the problematic eagle's talon at right shows finely detailed scales, and every last arrow feather is clearly visible.

PCGS reports only six 1892-S Quarters certified as MS-66, with a single MS-67 finer. And while PCGS does not differentiate between the Type 1 and Type 2 reverses, it does appear from auction appearances that 1892-S Quarters struck from the Type 2 reverse hub are noticeably scarcer than their Type 1 counterparts by a margin of about two to one.

Provenance:

• Steven Duckor (Heritage 7/2009: lot 1090 @ $9,200 as PCGS MS67)