1897 Barber Quarter

The Barber Quarter is an interesting coin because it was minted in different locations. What this means is that for the 1897 Barber Quarter there are three different varieties you can get your hands on; the 1897 Barber Quarter (Philadelphia), 1897-O (New Orleans) & 1897-S (San Francisco). For collectors, the Barber Quarter is one that is difficult to collect simply because there are so many different types, but not all of them have survived in great condition.

The 1897-S Barber Quarter minted only 5% of the quarters in San Francisco. The ‘S’ mint mark is on the reverse of the coin, under the Eagle. The 1897-O Barber Quarter minted 15% of the coinage in New Orleans, the mintage is found on the reverse of the coin.

When it comes to collectors, it is imperative that the coins are in great condition. That, however, is quite the challenge as most surviving Barber Quarters quite clearly show their age. This quarter is over a century old.

Grading the 1897 Barber Quarter

When it comes to collectors purchasing coins as old as the 1897 Barber Quarter, the first thing that is always looked at is the coin’s condition. Overall, collectors will closely examine the coins looking for any major blemishes, but will be paying close attention to minor imperfections as well.

Normally, having a coin’s condition judged is something reserved for grading companies, of which many exist. Knowing that not everyone has the time and money to send their coins away for grading, we have listed below some of the characteristics that are tied to Barber Quarters of specific grades.

Uncirculated: In Uncirculated condition, Barber Quarters are in the best possible shape, especially for how old they are. These coins were taken directly from the production line and kept in safekeeping as to avoid any damage. As you might have guessed, these coins and their perfect condition are exactly what most every collector is looking for.

Extremely Fine: A coin graded to be Extremely Fine is one that only saw a limited amount of time in circulation. These coins will show some signs of their being exchanged over the years, but these blemishes will be few and far between and only visible under very close inspection. All in all, these coins are close to being in pristine condition.

Fine: To receive this grade, the coin in question will have definitely spent some time in circulation, but not a very large amount of time. Showing a good amount of damage, the poor condition of these coins as a result of circulation is apparent almost immediately. The most common type of imperfection found on these coins is the smoothing of the images and inscriptions.

Good: Good is the grade given to Barber Quarters that are in absolutely horrid condition. Thanks to decade upon decade of circulation, these coins have suffered a lot of damage and may even be bent and heavily chipped. Though collectors do look for these coins, they are not the most sought after of the 1897 Barber Quarters.

Pricing the 1897 Barber Quarter

When it comes to giving coins that are over a century old a price, you have to take into consideration a few different factors. For the 1897 Barber Quarter, the first factor is the type of coin it is. Because multiple types of Dimes were produced most years, this is the first factor that will affect price. Secondly, the overall condition of the coin will heavily impact the price. Collectors want the coins that have been well-preserved, so those are the ones that will sell for high prices. The chart below should give you a good idea of what the cost of a graded 1897 Barber Quarter will be if you are given the coin’s type.

Barber Quarters

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1897 Barber Quarter	$9	$26	$70	$120
1897 Barber Quarter (O)	$40	$180	$385	$600
1897 Barber Quarter (S)	$120	$300	$825	$1,000
Source: Red Book