Ron Guth:
The 1879 Quarter Dollar begins a run of consecutive dates that have delightfully low mintages. Proof mintages maintained their levels throughout this period thanks to collector demand, and sufficient Mint State examples were saved by collectors such that today's prices are in line with more common dates, but circulated examples are very scarce and sought after. The surviving population of the 1879 Quarter is higher than any of the subsequent dates with the exception of the 1891, but it compares favorable with the 1880, 1889, and 1890.
Collectors have a nice selection of Mint State examples from which to choose, mostly in the MS-63 to MS-66 grades. Superb MS-67 examples are very scarce, and the finest examples certified by PCGS are a pair of MS68s. This date comes well-struck usually, and semi-Prooflike often. It is one of the best values in the Seated Liberty Quarter series.