1901 Barber Quarter. MS-66+ (PCGS). CAC. This Gem 1901 quarter features blended salmon pink and reddish-apricot toning on the obverse, while the reverse is brilliant apart from a splash of color along the left border. Both the strike and luster are full throughout, and the frosty surfaces live up to the assigned grade. As with so many Philadelphia Mint issues in the circulation strike Barber quarter series, a generous mintage -- in this case 8,892,000 coins -- masks the conditionally challenging nature of the 1901. Quarters of this design type circulated extensively, and the typical survivor of this issue is in the lowest circulated grades through VG. Mint State examples are usually found in the MS-60 to MS-64 grade range; this premium quality Gem is a noteworthy rarity that would do equally well in an advanced type or date set. From Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of February 2006, lot 967.
