1874 25C Arrows

1892-O 25C

1892 25C (Regular Strike)

Series: Barber Quarters 1892-1916

PCGS MS68+

PCGS MS68

PCGS #:: 5601

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 24.30 millimeters

Weight:: 6.30 grams

Mintage:: 8,236,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $35,250 • MS68 • 09-08-2022 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (8)

Major Varieties

1892 25C
1892 25C, PL

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

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	20,000	R-2.8	73 / 74 TIE	73 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	3,000	R-4.4	73 / 74 TIE	73 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	500	R-6.0	72 / 74 TIE	72 / 74 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	20,000
60 or Better	3,000
65 or Better	500

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-2.8
60 or Better	R-4.4
65 or Better	R-6.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	73 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	73 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	72 / 74 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	73 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	73 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	72 / 74 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS MS68+	The Laxdive Collection.
2	PCGS MS68	"The Black Cat Collection," Heritage Auctions, January 17, 2026, Lot 3086 - $31,720. Peacock and gold toning on both sides.
2	PCGS MS68	As NGC MS68. Superior August 2004, Lot 329, $8,625; "The Eugene H. Gardner Collection," Heritage Auctions, June 23, 2014, Lot 30417 - $12,925; Heritage Auctions, October 9, 2014, Lot 4725 - $11,456.25; Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2015, Lot 4642 - $9,987.50. As PCGS MS68 #35793860. The R.S.D. Collection; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, October 8, 2020, Lot 156 - $31,725; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, September 8, 2022, Lot 101 - $35,250. Toned. Type Two Reverse.
2	PCGS MS68	As PCGS MS68 #22054228. Heritage Auctions, February 2006, Lot 962 – $20,125; The Corona Del Mar Collection. As PCGS MS68 #38855593. “The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part VII,” Stack’s Bowers, March 20, 2020, Lot 7066 – $25,200. Type I Reverse. Intense rainbow toning.
2	PCGS MS68

#1 PCGS MS68+

The Laxdive Collection.

#2 PCGS MS68

"The Black Cat Collection," Heritage Auctions, January 17, 2026, Lot 3086 - $31,720. Peacock and gold toning on both sides.

#2 PCGS MS68

As NGC MS68. Superior August 2004, Lot 329, $8,625; "The Eugene H. Gardner Collection," Heritage Auctions, June 23, 2014, Lot 30417 - $12,925; Heritage Auctions, October 9, 2014, Lot 4725 - $11,456.25; Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2015, Lot 4642 - $9,987.50. As PCGS MS68 #35793860. The R.S.D. Collection; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, October 8, 2020, Lot 156 - $31,725; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, September 8, 2022, Lot 101 - $35,250. Toned. Type Two Reverse.

Heritage 2/2006:962, $20,125 - “Corona Del Mar” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 PCGS MS68

As PCGS MS68 #22054228. Heritage Auctions, February 2006, Lot 962 – $20,125; The Corona Del Mar Collection. As PCGS MS68 #38855593. “The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part VII,” Stack’s Bowers, March 20, 2020, Lot 7066 – $25,200. Type I Reverse. Intense rainbow toning.

#2 PCGS MS68

Charles Morgan:

The 1892 Barber Quarter

By the late 19th century, Americans knew only the omnipresent Liberty Seated motif on their silver coins, which had circulated continuously since 1837. Citing its "inartistic quality," Mint Director James Putnam Kimball called for a complete redesign in 1887. Congress authorized the overhaul via the Act of September 26, 1890, which permitted design changes for coins in circulation past 25 years.

Kimball’s successor, Edward O. Leech, launched a public contest on April 4, 1891. The effort backfired: a judging panel comprising sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, engraver Henry Mitchell, and Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber rejected every entry, stating:

"... none of the designs or models submitted are such a decided improvement upon the present designs... as to be worthy of adoption by the government."

Leech then tasked the Mint's internal team with the redesign, instructing Barber to base the obverse on French engraver Eugène-André Oudiné's work and the reverse on the Great Seal’s Heraldic Eagle. Despite bureaucratic friction over Leech’s late micro-management, Barber finalized the dies, and production commenced on January 2, 1892.

Design Varieties: Type I vs. Type II

Upon release, merchants complained that high relief made the new quarters difficult to stack. Barber quickly lowered the relief, creating two distinct 1892 varieties:

Type I: The eagle’s left wingtip touches the right leg serif of the "E" in "UNITED."
Type II: The lowered relief repositioned the wingtip to obscure over 50% of the letter "E," including its middle crossbar.

Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco struck both varieties in 1892. Although Type I is slightly scarcer, both command similar prices because collectors hoarded Type I coins upon initial release.

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