1895-O Barber Quarter. MS-67 (PCGS). This satiny Superb Gem has intense cartwheel luster that spins broadly and effortlessly beneath pale shades of champagne-gold toning. It is gorgeous and holds up well to careful scrutiny. It will no doubt take a place of honor in another high-grade Barber quarter set. The New Orleans Mint struck 2,816,000 quarters in 1895, a smaller total for the era, especially in light of commercial demand for this issue. Indeed, heavy circulation claimed most 1895-O quarters and the typical survivor grades AG, Good or VG. David Lawrence (1994) notes that this issue enjoys "strong demand [in all grades] from Fine to MS64." The author left out Gems and Superb Gems not because they are not in demand, but because they are so rare as to be beyond the reach of most collectors. Indeed, this is the finest 1895-O quarter that we can ever recall handling, an old friend that we first handled in our (American Numismatic Rarities) Drew St. John Sale of June 2005. It is now, as then, a coin with few rivals near the top of the Condition Census for this challenging New Orleans Mint quarter. From our (American Numismatic Rarities) Drew St. John Sale, June 2005, lot 1520.
