1868-S 25C FR2 Certification #49349784, PCGS #5473

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Purchased raw from Brian Greer in mid January 2024 and certified.... This particular 1868-S has an extremely weak "S" mintmark which was noted by Brian when I bought the coin from him. The mintmark is so weak that PCGS initially checked the coin in as a Philadelphia Mint coin! I requested that they take a second look at the coin as it was in fact an "S" mint.... They looked at the coin again and agreed... Giving PCGS a break as the mintmark is VERY hard to view, and even with a loop you have to search for it!! Larry Briggs book does not mention anything about this fact; if you are reading this and have come across this date/Mint with an extremely weak "S", please leave a comment... Thanks

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The relatively large mintage for the 1868-S Quarter Dollar belies its true rarity. In low grades, this date can be found rather inexpensively, but once the grade reaches Extremely Fine, the price begins to soar. In Mint State, this date is very scarce and valuable. A direct comparison with the lower-mintage 1868-P illustrates two principles: 1) collectors had difficulty obtaining coins from San Francisco, or 2) they were satisfied enough with the coins they obtained from Philadelphia. In 1868, collecting by date and mintmark combinations was virtually unknown, so there was little demand for coins from the branch mints. However, at least one collector saved an original example, as the PCGS Population Report shows a single MS67. This coin has not yet appeared at public auction, so we have no clear indication of what it might be worth, but it would be substantial.

PCGS #

5473

Designer

Robert Ball Hughes/Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

24.30 millimeters

Weight

6.20 grams

Mintage

96000

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

153

Pop Lower

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - 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.
65 or Better	350	R-6.3	12 / 48 TIE	23 / 114 TIE
All Grades	15	R-9.3	9 / 48 TIE	19 / 114 TIE
60 or Better	2	R-9.9	2 / 48 TIE	3 / 114 TIE

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.
65 or Better	350
All Grades	15
60 or Better	2

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.
65 or Better	R-6.3
All Grades	R-9.3
60 or Better	R-9.9

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.
65 or Better	12 / 48 TIE
All Grades	9 / 48 TIE
60 or Better	2 / 48 TIE

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.
65 or Better	23 / 114 TIE
All Grades	19 / 114 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 114 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67+ PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2015:4030, $82,250
2	MS65 estimated grade	J.B. Chase Collection - Thomas L. Elder 12/1907 - John H. Clapp - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1491, $14,300 - Superior 6/2000:1421, $8,338
2	MS65 estimated grade
2	MS65 estimated grade
5	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS67+ PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2015:4030, $82,250

#2 MS65 estimated grade

J.B. Chase Collection - Thomas L. Elder 12/1907 - John H. Clapp - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1491, $14,300 - Superior 6/2000:1421, $8,338

#2 MS65 estimated grade

#5 MS64 PCGS grade