1856-S 25C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Quarters 1838-1891

PCGS MS64

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PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 5440

Designer:: Robert Ball Hughes/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 24.30 millimeters

Weight:: 6.20 grams

Mintage:: 286,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $19,200 • MS63 • 08-23-2024 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1856-S 25C

Minor Varieties

1856-S/S 25C Large/Small S

Die Varieties

1856-S/S 25C Large/Small S FS-501 (005)

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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	350	R-6.3	10 / 49 TIE	23 / 114 TIE
60 or Better	20	R-9.1	9 / 49 TIE	21 / 114 TIE
65 or Better	2	R-9.9	1 / 49 TIE	3 / 114 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	350
60 or Better	20
65 or Better	2

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.3
60 or Better	R-9.1
65 or Better	R-9.9

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	10 / 49 TIE
60 or Better	9 / 49 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 49 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	23 / 114 TIE
60 or Better	21 / 114 TIE
65 or Better	3 / 114 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Bill Nagle, sold privately in 1/2008 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30376, $18,800
3	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS63 PCGS grade
7	MS62 PCGS grade
7	MS63 estimated grade
9	MS61 PCGS grade
9	MS62 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Bill Nagle, sold privately in 1/2008 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30376, $18,800

#3 MS63 PCGS grade

#7 MS62 PCGS grade

#7 MS63 estimated grade

#9 MS61 PCGS grade

#9 MS62 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1856-S Quarter Dollar is semi-scarce in low, circulated grades, but quickly graduates into a condition-rarity at the About Uncirculated level. Mint State examples are extremely scarce, with just a handful of examples certified between MS61 and MS65. The finest example is a single PCGS MS65 which seems to have disappeared into a collection, as it has not yet appeared at auction.

Be sure to look at the mintmark on the reverse of any 1856-S Quarter Dollar. One of the more interesting varieties shows a small S tucked beneath a much larger S. This variety commands a hefty premium over the "normal" versions.