1861-S Liberty Seated Quarter. Briggs 1-A. AU-58 (PCGS).；With virtually full striking detail and ample satin luster, this is one of the finest certified survivors of a rare and conditionally challenging issue. Evenly toned in warm medium gold patina, the surfaces are smooth in hand with superior eye appeal for an issue that is typically offered heavily worn and/or impaired.<p>The 1861-S quarter is both scarce overall and a considerable condition rarity, despite a somewhat sizeable mintage of 96,000 coins. Virtually no attention was paid to the issue by contemporary collectors, and extensive circulation ensured that very few examples survived. The majority of survivors are encountered in Very Fine and lesser conditions, often exhibiting evidence of cleaning and other mishandlings. AU examples are called "extremely rare" by Larry Briggs in his 1991 reference on the series, though this is still an understatement of the truly elusive nature of lightly circulated pieces like the present example. Not a single Mint State example of this prized issue is known, stressing the immense desirability of the present offering.
