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LIBERTY SEATED QUARTERS
1838 – 1891
Part 3
by Larry Briggs
This is the final installment of a three-part in depth article on Liberty Seated Quarters (1838-1891). Issues that are covered herein begin with 1873 With Arrows and conclude with 1891-S, the last date of the series.
1873 Arrows, Mintage 1,271,740
Change of design indicated new, lesser weight of coin. Readily available in all grades; common in AG-VG, with XF-AU’s scarce and Mint State coins very scarce. True Gems are rare. Usually fairly well struck and comes with creamy luster. Several Mint State dies exist with 1 Proof die(rev. ’72). 540 Proofs issued.
1873-CC Arrows, Mintage 12,462
Very scarce/rare coin in all grades, with rarity escalating with grade. Usually found in low grades with some sort of problem. Rarity for set collectors, compounded by many Type collectors using this coin as the only “CC” Arrows Quarter for the sets. Only 1 die used, and this new Arrows obverse used with the reverse “workhorse” 70-72-CC reverse for the final time. Add to the fact, 2 hoards exist for this date, and suddenly this coin is rarer than it should be. Guesstimate 135-150 pieces all grades.
1873-S Arrows, Mintage 156,000
A scarce coin, usually found in low grades AG-VF. XF-AU’s scarce, and Mint State coins border-line rare. 2 dies known. Strike is average, with creamy luster. Very undervalued as a date.
1874 Arrows, Mintage 471,850
Scarcer than the ‘73-P with Arrows coins, but still available with patience in all grades. Strike is better than previous year. One problem that seems to have surfaced around this time is either poor steel and the annealing (hardening process) of the dies. This problem stayed prevalent until 1878 when it seemed to basically disappear. What this boiled down to is that almost every die of this period has cracks to some degree. In fact, it’s almost impossible to find any Quarters, of any Mint, in this period without die cracks! Proof die (rev. ’72) with 850 Proofs issued.
1874-S Arrows, Mintage 392,000
A scarce coin, but readily available in AG-MS.3 dies known, and all have weakness of strike to some degree. Unlike most dates and Mints in this series, Mint State coins are available thanks to a West Coast bank hoard found in 1949. Mint State coins are usually brilliant with creamy luster.
1875, Mintage 4,292,800
Available in all grades AG-Gem. Usually well-struck with nice frosty luster for Mint State coins. Both Type 1 and Type 2 reverse coins exist for year, neither seem to be rare. 2 Proof dies known with 630 Proofs is-sued.
1875-CC, Mintage 140,000
A very scarce issue that just recently has started to be recognized for its true rarity. 2 dies known, both Type 2 reverses. Scarce in AG-VF; very scarce in XF. AU’s are rare and Mint State coins rarer! Besides al-ready being a tough date, problems and irregular strike plague this is-sue. Very underrated in all grades.
1875-S, Mintage 680,000
A very poorly struck issue. Usually found in low grades AG-VF; XF/AU’s are scarce and Mint State coins are very scarce. 4 dies known with both Type 1 and Type 2 reverses. Mint State coins, when found, are usually lightly toned with a pale, creamy luster. So-called mintage seems incorrect for this coin’s availability. Underrated!
1876, Mintage 17,817,410
The largest mintage for the entire series. Poor steel and/or poor annealing process made for repeated cracked dies and poor strikes. As the mint-age would imply, many varieties exist for the year: repunched dates, MPDs, as well as Type 1 and Type 2 reverses. With patience, any grade can be obtained. At least 3 Proof dies with 1,410 Proofs issued.
1876-CC, Mintage 4,944,0000
A popular date found in all grades AG-MS without much difficulty. Many varieties exist with my last count ending at 28! That does not include using the 3 known Edge Reedings. Contrary to many previous printings, the fine Reeded Edge coins are not rare, but instead are the most common variety for this year!
1876-S, Mintage 8,596,000
A high mintage date with an assortment of dies, none seemingly rare. Comes with Lg. “S”/Sm. “S”. Also Type 1 and Type 2 reverses with various combinations of such. Strike varies from die to die, from poor to well struck. Available in all grades AG-Gem BU.
1877, Mintage 10,912,080
Again, a large mintage year, thus many varieties as one would expect. However, not as plentiful as mintage would imply, probably because many melted for new 1878 Morgan Dollar. Available in all grades AG-MS with Mint State coins having nice, creamy luster or gorgeously toned. Both Type 1 and Type 2 reverses available on Mint State and Proof coins. 880 Proofs struck.
1877-CC, Mintage 4,192,000
Popular date because of the “CC” nostalgia, but not rare. As expected with such a large mint-age, several varieties exist. Only Type 2 reverses for the year, but comes with doubled date, tripled 7’s, Lg. “CC’s”, Sm. “CC’s”. Available in all grades AG-MS, including Gems. Mint State coins usually blast white with frosty luster.
1877-S, Mintage 8,996,000
Again, large mintage with several varieties known. Found in all grades AG-Gem BU. Poorly struck is the norm. Mint State coins have either creamy luster or are Prooflike. Scarcest variety is the S/Horizontal S. As mall hoard of 15 pieces in Choice BU surfaced at Indiana State show in 1978.
1878, Mintage 2,260,800
Scarcer than mintage would imply—indicating many probably were melted for new Morgan Dollars. Strike in general is poor for a Philly coin. Even Proofs were sloppily made. Mint State coins are either nice and frosty or semi-Prooflike. Two dies known for Proofs, with 800 produced.
1878-CC, Mintage 996,000
Many coins poorly struck, resulting in low grade coins looking horrendous. Scarcest of the three “common” years: ’76, ’77, ’78. Nice, really nice with Cameo Prooflike coins known in Mint State. Usually found AG-VF and with problems. Available in any grade with patience.
1878-S, Mintage 140,000
Last branch Mint coin for 10 years and scarce to rare as grade escalates. Found with a multitude of problems including pitting and corrosion, indicating improper mix for the planchets. Rarity for the most part just starting to be recognized. Scarce AG-VF. Very scarce in XF, and rare in AU. Very rare in Mint State.
1879, Mintage 13,850
This and the next ten Philly years have mint-ages dramatically reduced. Softly struck in many areas with AG-XF scarcer than AU and BU coins. Only one Mint State die and one Proof die (still reverse ’72) used. Mint State coins either frosty or Prooflike. Proof discrepancy however puzzling, Mint records show 250 Proof Quarters, while Mint records also show 1,100 Proof Sets issued. Go figure. The old adage that Proof dies were put into business strike production is false, except for 1880. Many Proof like coins of ‘79-’90 are often mistaken for Proofs when not so.
1880, Mintage 14,955
Scarce in all grades, with AG-AU grades scarcer than Mint State coins. One obverse and two reverse dies used for Mint State coins. One obverse and two reverse dies used for Proof coins. Last year of 1872Proof reverse die used and for the first time on Mint State as well as Proof die. Mint State coins frosty or Proof like and fairly well struck.1,355 Proofs struck.
1881, Mintage 12,975
Scarce date in all grades with AG-XF being scarcer than AU, Mint State or Proof coins. Strike varies but usually weak. Most Mint State coins are Proof like and confused with Proofs. One Mint State die and one Proof die. Scarcer than previous two years. 975 Proofs issued.
1882, Mintage 16,300
Although mintage higher, date tougher than three previous years. G-XF’s rare; AU/MS very scarce. Only one Mint State die and one Proof die. Mint State die has doubled 18 of date. Strike above average and again Proof like Mint State coins often mistaken for Proofs. 1,100 Proofs is-sued.
1883, Mintage 15,439
Rare date with all grades except Proof. Where low grades AG-VG reverses are usually “washed” away and virtually gone! Again scarcer in AG-XF than AU and Mint State. Mint State coins frosty and semi-Prooflike or full Prooflike causing the “Proof/Mint State confusion.” Proofs have tops of extra 83 in dentils below both 8’s of date, separating the one Proof die from the Mint State die. 1,039 Proofs issued.
1884, Mintage 8,875
Rare date in all grades except Proof. Only one Mint State die and one Proof die. Difference is Mint State die left base over space between dentils; Proofs have left base over center of dentil. Low grades AG-XF far rarer than AU and Mint State coins. Proofs carelessly made or impaired, but date position of 1 tells the story. 875 Proofs issued.
1885, Mintage 14,540
Usually found XF-MS or Proof with AG-VF coins rarer than preceding. One of the best struck of the era with the same confusion throughout ‘79-’90, as Prooflike Mint State coins are sold as Proofs, and mishandled Proofs coins as BU. 2 Mint State dies, 1 Proof die. 940 Proofs.
1886, Mintage 5,886
The lowest minted coin/date of the series and the rarest of the ‘79-80’s. Circ coins in any grade very rare, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen or heard of an AG/G. Only 1 Mint State die, and 1 Proof die. All Mint State coins are Prooflike, but easily distinguished from Proofs as tops of both 8’sas well as “LIBERTY” are weak. Although it looks full, under a glass it disappears and becomes mushy from die polishing. Very underrated (as is over one half of the series) in today’s market. Collector pressure, like the 1866, has made Proofs scarcer than mintage would imply. 886 Proofs struck.
1887, Mintage 10,710
Rare date in all grades with only one Mint State die and one Proof die. Mint State coins are either very creamy or Prooflike. Stars usually weak. F-VF or Unc are the normal grades found. AG-F and XF/AU are the rarest of grades. Business strike die has horizontal scratch through obverse shield. 710 Proofs issued.
1888, Mintage 10,800
This and 1889 are two of the most overlooked rarities of the ‘80’s dates. Almost never seen in Grades AG-VF. Mint State coins usually well struck with creamy luster. One Mint State die and one Proof die. 800Proofs struck.
1888-S, Mintage 1,216,600
Fairly large mintage and because of such, several die varieties struck. Virtually never seen fully struck, and in fact, a couple of dies have “BER” polished out even in Mint State. When low grade, presents a horrendous looking coin. Obverse never fully struck to begin with and in low grades, reverse rims wear down severely from 3-9 o’clock as well! Mint State full strike frosty examples are very scarce/rare.
1889, Mintage 12,711
Last of rare ‘80’s dates usually seen in VF-Mint State; AG-F coins rarer. Mint State coins come very satiny or are semi-Prooflike. Only one Mint State die and one Proof die. 711 Proofs struck.
1890, Mintage 80,590
A scarce but not rare coin found in all grades AG-MS. Usually some softness to strike, but in Mint State usually Very Choice. Two Mint State dies and one Proof die. 590 Proofs struck. One controversial die/coin exists for year with one side a “Proof”, and the other side frosty.
1891, Mintage 3,920,600
Last Philly coin of the series that is usually poorly struck for variable reasons from poor diep reparation to mass production. Found in all grades from AG-MS. Mint State usually very frosty. Several Mint State dies, one Proof die. Rarest variety has extra “89” in denticles below ’89date. 600 Proofs struck.
1891-O, Mintage 68,002
This is the only New Orleans with Motto Quarter, and scarce/rare in all grades. Scarce AG-F. Very scarce VF/XF, and rare in AU. Very rare in Mint State. Poorly struck issue, many times having 3 or 4 letters of “Liberty” obverse, FR/AG reverse. Branch Mint Proofs exist for date with two verified and two others rumored. Mint State coins seen are very creamy with luster or gorgeously toned.
1891-S, Mintage 2,216,000
Last coin of the issue of Liberty Seated Quarters. As expected, because of its mintage several dies exist, none rare. Found in all grades, AG-MS, and usually well-struck for issue, Mint State coins found well-struck with creamy luster or gorgeously toned.
In summary, the Liberty Seated Quarter series is by far the most difficult and rarest of all the Seated Liberty issues to complete. Not factoring grade, for once money isn’t the object - patience for each of the rare/scarce dates is! Overall, possibly 15-20 complete sets of dates with Mints might exist today! Something that was taught to me almost 50 years ago by Coin World co-founder Jim Johnson, “If it’s common today, it will probably be common tomorrow - if it’s scarce/rare today, then it’ll probably be scarcer/rarer tomorrow.” Applying this philosophy today, most of this series is still underrated and undervalued. Good luck and happy hunting.
Larry Briggs Rare Coins
P.O. Box 187 Lima, OH 45802
Fax: 419-228-0137
Reprinted from the February 8, 2008 issue #2 of the CDN Monthly Supplement
This
article is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without express permission from
CDN publications. ©2008 CDN Inc.
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©2008
CDN Inc.