LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 February Long Beach Signature Coin #460  / 

412

1901-S 25C MS65 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:60,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1901-S 25C MS65 NGC
<B>1901-S 25C MS65 NGC.</B></I> Chief Engraver Charles Barber designed four denominations of circulating coins, the nickel through the half dollar. Most issues from his designs have mintages above 1 million pieces, yet every Barber series has one legendary rarity. The Liberty nickel boasts the 1913, of which only five examples are known. The great rarity of the Barber dime series is the 1894-S, with nine known survivors. A Barber half collection is stopped by the 1892-O Micro O, a formidable rarity in any grade. But some half dollar collectors manage to convince themselves it that it can be excluded from a date and mintmark collection. Thus, the 1892-O Micro O is valued less than the 1901-S quarter, which Barber specialist David Lawrence referred to as "the king of all Barber coinage."<BR> The mintage of the 1901-S is remarkably low. Only 72,664 pieces were struck. This is contrast to the 1900-S and 1902-S productions, which each exceeded 1.5 million pieces. Among the Barber issues struck for circulation, only the 1913-S quarter has a lesser mintage. But the 1913-S was saved to a greater extent, perhaps due to a growth in the number of West Coast collectors between 1901 and 1913, or perhaps due to dealer Wayte Raymond, who was known to hoard high grade examples of current issues.<BR> The 1901-S quarter is desirable regardless of grade. A Fair 2 example brought $2,070 in our 2007 September Long Beach Signature. In fact, the median grade for the issue is Good 4, and more pieces have been certified as AG3 than any other grade.<BR> The condition rarity of the 1901-S, in addition to its overall rarity, confirms the importance of the present fully lustrous Gem. It is lightly toned, with hints of gold limited to the rims. The strike is penetrating, and the preservation is impressive. The reverse is close to pristine, while the cheek and obverse field have only minimal contact. This lot should be the cornerstone of the finest set of Barber quarters. Census: 2 in 65, 6 finer (1/08).<BR><I>From The Southwest Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Charles E. Barber<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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