Minted 1892 to 1916 Barber Quarters derived their name from the name of the designer, Charles E. Barber, one of the most famous and prolific of all designers of U.S. This series is so collectible, given the long run of dates and the fact that it was struck at so many Mints, including Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans and San Francisco. The Barber coinage consists of a dime, quarter, and half dollar designed by United States Bureau of the Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber.They were minted between 1892 and 1916, though no half dollars were struck in the final year of the series. Barber Quarters are popular with collectors. Barber Quarters were struck in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco and the short-lived New Orleans mint. Besides Barber Quarters, the U.S. Mint’s sixth engraver, Charles E. Barber, also designed the dime and the half dollar. This included the Barber Quarters, which were struck from 1892 to 1916. Play for fun online casinos. Mintages across all issues vary, with the series marked by the presence of three significant key dates. For anyone trying to complete a set, these three coins are the most difficult or costly to acquire. The obverse design of the Barber Quarter features the head of Liberty.
- Barber Quarters
The Barber quarter was minted from 1892 through 1916, and coin values for issues in this popular series range from under $10 each to thousands. The main factors that affect Barber quarters are the grade and rarity of each piece. For the most part, low-end, common-date Barber quarters are worth a small premium over their intrinsic bullion value, while scarcer issues or high-end examples of any date (including common dates) are worth hundreds of dollars and up.
What most people realize when they begin collecting or investing in Barber quarters is that their coin values show a lot of spread, even for individual specimens within a single issue. For example, the relatively common 1898-O Barber dime is worth around $16 in a grade of Good-4, but sells for nearly $9,000 for an MS-65 specimen. The same is true for rare Barber quarters, too, with coin values for pieces like the 1901-S Barber quarter ranging from roughly $5,000 in G-4 to more than $77,000 for an MS-65 example.
Barber Quarter Set
Still, despite coin values often reaching past the prices of some exotic cars, the Barber quarter – so named for its designer, Charles E. Barber – is hardly a coin out of the financial reach of most buyers. That’s just one reason the Barber quarter series remains popular today and promises to remain a top collector and investor piece for many decades to come. Older, classic series such as the Barber quarter series will always have a following, and presumably values for this coin will always be broad enough to warmly welcome a diverse range of numismatists and excite even the most seasoned coin investors, too.
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Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 | Silver $26.90
Judging the condition of your coins is presented in the grading Barber quarters video along with descriptions highlighted in the close-up images. It is necessary to examine these old quarters closely - Date | Mintmark | Condition - all contribute when determining value.
Developing an eye to detect an overly worn; minimal value coin from a key date; moderately worn prize follows a process. Mint state (like new) coins are identified from circulated (worn) coins and different degrees of wear are judged. Important and necessary points to separating these grades are highlighted.
To this day there is a large supply of Barber quarters available to collectors. However, in all cases this large supply falls into the well-worn Good grade. Finding a coin in moderately worn or better condition is finding a premium value collectible.
Uncirculated Condition
Heavily worn Barber quarters have lost the intricate fine details of the design. The study of a true mint state coin is needed to properly grade a Barber quarter. Highly prized and valued the 'as minted' coins show no signs of wear to the surface. Judging and recognizing this grade is a process of inspecting the highest points of the design for any signs of wear. Also necessary is the presence of mint luster over all parts of the design.
Obverse:
- Hair above the forehead and eye is very prone to first signs of wear, confirm mint luster is still present
- Tips of leaves above the head band remain undisturbed
- Uppermost area of cap is still lustrous
- Cheek just below the eye and neckline above the date show no signs of dulling from wear
Reverse:
- Inspect closely the head and neck of the eagle, all of the texture is covered in mint luster
- Tail feathers, especially the central feather must show no signs of wear and smoothing
- Outward tips of the wing feathers are high in profile and must display mint frost
- Mint state grade Barber quarters are quick to lose the delicate mint luster on the reverse design. The many fine edges and tops of letters are very prone to contact.
Extremely Fine Condition
A very slight amount of wear is seen on the coin's design; it now grades in the Extremely Fine condition. Although detail is missing, it is confined to only small areas and has removed only minor amounts of metal. To grade a Barber quarter as Extremely Fine it must portray a sharp distinct appearance. Fine details such the letters of 'Liberty' on the obverse and the motto 'E Pluribus Unum' on the reverse remain crisp. As a side note: 'E Pluribus Unum' translates to 'out of many, one'. It is the motto on the Great Seal of the United States and is found on many US coins.
Obverse:
- Top and bottom edges of the ribbon containing the letters of Liberty must remain and only slight wear to the surrounding hair
- All seven letters of Liberty strong and clear
- Wreath; extending from behind the ear to the top of the head is also bold with just a touch of flatness on the edges of the leaves
- Lower portion of ear showing only slight flatness
Reverse:
- Wear confined to just behind the eye of the eagle and a small area on neck
- Small areas of wear on the top edges of wings
- Separation of feathers at the Tips of wings are just beginning to merge
- All tail feathers defined with only small flatness on center feather
Fine Condition
Unmistakable are the signs of wear to a Barber quarter in the Fine grade. However much of the major details remain giving a pleasant appearance. A wreath is seen and distinct cap is visible and on the reverse most of the arrow shafts are clear. Barber quarters wear well and in Fine condition have an appeal and value to many collectors.
Obverse:
- All letters of Liberty are readable, including an often week 'ER' and 'Y'
- Hair above eye now shows a large area of flatness, however a hair line to forehead remains
- Upper leaves of wreath are worn but separated, lower leaves have all but merged and are slightly evident with a flat area above ear
Reverse:
- Eagle's head and neck now display large areas of flatness confined to the center and are beginning to merge
- Separation of feathers towards tips of wings has faded with about half of feather detail close to shield remaining
- Horizontal lines within shield have mostly merged, visible lines both horizontal and vertical indicates a solid Fine grade Barber quarter
Good Condition
Although the portrait on the obverse and eagle on the reverse are worn smooth; boldness of the design; stars, lettering, date, olive branch, arrows and ribbons are recognizable. Barber quarters graded in Good condition still retain appeal despite loss of fine detail.
Obverse:
- Rising from the field of the coin the portrait is well outlined and bold
- Stars, lettering and date are all clear and separated from the rim
- Rim is complete and raised from the field suggesting a well struck coin confirming at least the Good grade
Reverse:
- Eagle although lacking most feather detail is well outlined with a recognizable shield
- Rim often touching the tops of a few letters but all lettering remains distinct
- Inspect the ribbon for any letters of the motto, often a few remain confirming the Good grade.
Grading Barber quarters with a focus on separating any in conditions above the Good range quickly finds the premium value coins.
Finding Condition Rarities Among Circulated Barber Quarters
Most surviving Barber quarters are in circulated condition. Play free video slots. Most of these survivors are heavily worn and hover in and around the Good grade and close in value to their silver content. There are a few of these very worn coins known as Fundamental Rarities, dates and mints so elusive they command large premiums above their silver content.
The top three key rarities are the 1896-S | 1901-S | 1913-S all highly valued. There are others in the range of $15 to $100 well worth checking each coin as to date and mint mark.
Barber Quarters For Sale
Visually separating the nicer condition coins begins to find any highly collectible and valued piece. Cash stax demo slot. All Barber quarters in the Fine grade are sought by collectors, minimum values on the charts are well above silver value. Each coin is visually better and identified by the presence of 'Liberty' clearly readable on the headband.
Looking even closer at the details of the coin is when subtle discoveries identify a condition rarity. A distinct band, including definition of both the top and lower edges of the ribbon and with 'Liberty' bold, indicates the Extremely Fine grade Barber quarter. At this point you have found a coin in well above average grade for the series. Certainly uncommon and for many dates and mints a scarce example.
If you have a circulated Barber quarter, judging condition and determining it is a condition rarity is the best chance of finding premium value. Many value opportunities are found in accurate grading of your Baber quarters.
Barber Quarter Dollar
Index of grading old coins videos. In-depth descriptions of the elements to judging condition are highlighted in the close-up images and videos. Follow the video, compare your coin to the images and judge the key elements described in the descriptions.
Date | Mint Mark | Condition
Combined, these form the basis to determine the value of Barber quarters. Value charts of all dates and mints listed.
Combined, these form the basis to determine the value of Barber quarters. Value charts of all dates and mints listed.
★Coin Values Discovery pulls together.. Grading Barber Quarters and..
Image links identify each US coin series from old pennies to gold coins. Each lead to value charts, descriptions and images identifying the important mintmarks and how to judge condition to arrive at an accurate value.