1838 25C Capped Bust

1839 25C No Drapery

1838 25C Seated, No Drapery (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Quarters 1838-1891

PCGS MS68

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PCGS MS67

PCGS MS66

PCGS #:: 5391

Designer:: John Reich

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 24.30 millimeters

Weight:: 6.74 grams

Mintage:: 466,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $195,500 • MS68 • 04-01-2009 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1838 25C Seated, No Drapery

Die Varieties

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	1,500	R-4.8	3 / 3	89 / 114 TIE
60 or Better	120	R-7.8	3 / 3	69 / 114 TIE
65 or Better	10	R-9.5	2 / 3	42 / 114 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,500
60 or Better	120
65 or Better	10

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.8
60 or Better	R-7.8
65 or Better	R-9.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	3 / 3
60 or Better	3 / 3
65 or Better	2 / 3

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	89 / 114 TIE
60 or Better	69 / 114 TIE
65 or Better	42 / 114 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68 PCGS grade	James W. Lull Collection - Bowers & Merena 2/2005:681, $155,250 - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2338, $195,500 - High Desert Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS66 PCGS grade	Richard Burdick, sold privately in 1/1999 - Foxfire Collection (Claude E. Davis, M.D.), sold privately in 10/2004 - D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 3/2017:5019, $54,050 - D.L. Hansen Collection
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 estimated grade	William Mitkoff, sold privately in 1972 - Jimmy Hayes Collection - Stack's 10/1985:38 - Craig M. Morgan, MD Collection - Bowers & Merena 11/1998:111, not sold - Stack's 9/2007:3296, $74,750 - Heritage 1/2009:3738, $46,000
6	MS65+ PCGS grade	Heritage 8/1995:6122, $14,850 - Bowers & Merena 5/2001:1432, $32,200 - Heritage 9/2002:6477, $34,500 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part I - Heritage 6/2014:30359, $32,900 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 10/2017:204, $32,900 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 11/2018:135, $31,725
6	MS65+ estimated grade	Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society - Heritage 11/2013:33360, $141,000
8	MS65 PCGS grade
8	MS65 PCGS grade
8	MS65 estimated grade

#1 MS68 PCGS grade

James W. Lull Collection - Bowers & Merena 2/2005:681, $155,250 - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2338, $195,500 - High Desert Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

Richard Burdick, sold privately in 1/1999 - Foxfire Collection (Claude E. Davis, M.D.), sold privately in 10/2004 - D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 3/2017:5019, $54,050 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

#2 MS66 estimated grade

William Mitkoff, sold privately in 1972 - Jimmy Hayes Collection - Stack's 10/1985:38 - Craig M. Morgan, MD Collection - Bowers & Merena 11/1998:111, not sold - Stack's 9/2007:3296, $74,750 - Heritage 1/2009:3738, $46,000

#6 MS65+ PCGS grade

Heritage 8/1995:6122, $14,850 - Bowers & Merena 5/2001:1432, $32,200 - Heritage 9/2002:6477, $34,500 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part I - Heritage 6/2014:30359, $32,900 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 10/2017:204, $32,900 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 11/2018:135, $31,725

#6 MS65+ estimated grade

Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society - Heritage 11/2013:33360, $141,000

#8 MS65 PCGS grade

#8 MS65 estimated grade

Ron Guth:

In mid-1838, Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty design finally made it to the Quarter Dollar -- two years after it had appeared on the Silver Dollar and a full year after it appeared on the Half Dimes and Dimes. Gobrecht's original design did not have any drapery under Liberty's left elbow (viewer's right); the drapery was not added on the Quarters until 1841. Some collectors believe the No Drapery design should be recognized as a separate type and we tend to agree. Regardless, the only option for the 1838 Quarter is the No Drapery version.

This date is fairly common and can be found in circulated grades with relative ease. Mint State examples are scarce, bordering on rare, and the typical grade falls into the MS62 to MS64 range. Gems are very rare.