1871-S 25C MS62 Certification #22104205, PCGS #5480

Ron Guth

The 1871-S Quarter Dollar is much scarcer than its already low mintage indicates, making it one of the most important dates in the 1870s. This was a common theme for S-mint Quarter Dollars during this period.  It just seemed as though collectors paid little attention to the coins from out West.  Nowadays, the situation has reversed completely and collectors clamor for low-pop, high-grade coins.  Unfortunately, the supply of Western Quarters is vastly smaller than current demand, resulting in high values for coins at the top of the condition ladder. 

The PCGS Population Reports shows an atypical pattern for Mint State 1871-S Quarters.  In this case, there is a void at the MS63 level, surrounded by small clusters at the MS62 and MS64 grades.  A small number of Gems exists, with just a pair of MS66s at the top of the Condition Census.  In an ironic twist, and an indication of the respect for this date, the price record belongs to a cleaned example that sold for $19,550 in 2011.