1858 Liberty Seated Quarter. Proof-63 (PCGS). CAC. Glassy pinkish-silver surfaces are lightly and attractively toned. The strike is full, as befits the method of manufacture, and the in hand appearance is smooth enough to suggest a higher grade. The year 1858 represents the first in which the United States Mint struck Proof coins in quantity and with the intention of marketing such pieces to a wider body of contemporary collectors. Two hundred ten quarters were struck for distribution as part of the years silver Proof sets, along with an unknown, although presumably limited number of additional pieces for individual sale. It is likely that no more than 300 or so coins were produced in total, and the extant population is fewer than 200 pieces, perhaps as few as 150 examples. Proof Liberty Seated issues from the late 1850s and early 1860s are not only scarcer than their later date counterparts, but have a higher incidence of cleaned or otherwise impaired coins among the survivors. With these considerations in mind, both the absolute scarcity and condition rarity of this CAC-approved Choice specimen come readily to the fore.
