An exceptional strike rarity for this conditionally challenged issue. Boldly, if not sharply defined, both sides are lightly and pleasingly toned in pale golden iridescence. The design elements are softly frosted in finish and contrast nicely with strong reflectivity in the fields that supports the unique (for the issue) PL designation from PCGS. One of the scarcer early San Francisco Mint Barber quarters, the 1898-S is particularly elusive in Choice AU and Mint State grades. During preparation of our (Bowers and Merena's) April 1997 Eliasberg Collection sale, David Lawrence wrote to Q. David Bowers and commented that the 1898-S is "truly scarce in Mint State as most, if not all, of the mintage went to the Philippines, and coins were not saved in high grades." Lawrence went on to state that, while relatively obtainable in cleaned EF and AU grades (generally coins repatriated from the Philippines), "in Mint State [the 1898-S] is very underrated." The present example in PCGS-certified PL is a particularly desirable survivor worthy of the strongest bids.