1897-S Barber Quarter. MS-65 (PCGS). Outstanding and rare Gem Uncirculated preservation for this scarce, conditionally challenging early date Barber quarter issue. Intensely lustrous surfaces are brilliant apart from blushes of pale champagne-apricot iridescence that appear to drift toward the rims. This is a fully struck, smooth-looking example that is sure to please. The 1897-S has a mintage of 542,229 coins, and most examples entered circulation without fanfare, where they were lost or heavily worn. David Lawrence (1994) described the 1897-S as his "favorite date" in the series and put forth the intriguing question, "Where have they all gone?" Indeed, only in the lowest circulated grades through VG will most collectors meet with success when it comes to acquiring an 1897-S. Even mid grade circulated coins are elusive, while anything better than VF is rare. Gems are exceedingly so, the present example representing a rare find for the advanced collector.The 1897-S is the final issue in the Barber quarter series with the S mintmark in the far right position. On the present example the mintmark is above the left half of the upright of the letter D in DOL.
