1859-S 25C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Quarters 1838-1891

PCGS AU58

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PCGS AU55

PCGS AU53

PCGS #:: 5450

Designer:: Robert Ball Hughes/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 24.30 millimeters

Weight:: 6.20 grams

Mintage:: 80,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $48,875 • AU55 • 08-13-2006 • Heritage Auctions

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Major Varieties

1859-S 25C

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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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	300	R-6.4	7 / 49 TIE	16 / 114 TIE
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 49	1 / 114
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 49	1 / 114

Survival Estimate
All Grades	300
60 or Better
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.4
60 or Better	R-10.1
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	7 / 49 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 49
65 or Better	1 / 49

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	16 / 114 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 114
65 or Better	1 / 114

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	AU55 PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2006:1119, $48,875
1	AU55 PCGS grade
3	AU53 PCGS grade	Heritage 11/2011:3319, $21,850
3	AU53 estimated grade	David Lawrence Rare Coins, sold privately in 11/2001 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30380, $30,550
3	AU53 estimated grade
6	AU50 PCGS grade	Heritage 4/2013:4212, $17,625 - Heritage 1/2014:5215, $18,800
6	AU50 PCGS grade
6	AU50 PCGS grade
9	AU50 PCGS grade
9	AU50 estimated grade

#1 AU55 PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2006:1119, $48,875

#1 AU55 PCGS grade

#3 AU53 PCGS grade

Heritage 11/2011:3319, $21,850

#3 AU53 estimated grade

David Lawrence Rare Coins, sold privately in 11/2001 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30380, $30,550

#3 AU53 estimated grade

#6 AU50 PCGS grade

Heritage 4/2013:4212, $17,625 - Heritage 1/2014:5215, $18,800

#6 AU50 PCGS grade

#9 AU50 PCGS grade

#9 AU50 estimated grade

Ron Guth:

The 1859-S Quarter Dollar is similar to the 1857-S in that both have mintages in the 80,000 range, making them semi-scarce issues that can be difficult to locate in any grade. However, where the 1859-S outpaces the 1857-S is in high grade. Whereas the 1857-S is represented by numerous Mint State examples, the 1859-S is unknown in Uncirculated condition. In fact, the finest 1859-S Quarters graded by PCGS are only a pair of AU55s. Why this coin is so rare in Mint State is unknown. Perhaps collectors didn't care or were unable to obtain nice examples at the time. The hope is that someday a Mint State example will turn up. A nice one would fetch six figures easily.