1883 25C Liberty Seated Quarter Dollar PCGS PR63 (CAC)

Here’s an attractive, richly toned example of the classic Liberty Seated quarter to add to your collection. With a mintage of only 1,039, this has been a rarity since its issuance in 1883. PCGS has graded 97 as PR63 with 182 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $1,075.00 in PR63. In CAC, there are 9 in PR63 with 40 finer. CAC prices this issue at $960.00 in PR63.

An original sketch of Christian Gobrecht’s classic Seated Liberty design. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Numismatic art critic and numismatist Cornelius Vermeule discusses how the medallic adjustments by Robert Ball Hughes resulted in the design found on the Seated Liberty quarter: "...Hughes enlarged Liberty's head and her cap on the pole. He fattened the right arm reaching down to the shield....The twisted, dishmop effect of the long hair...was smoothed out, and a curl was added to bring the disjointed right shoulder closer to the head and neck. A larger, curved series of folds of drapery was introduced from the left elbow to the knee .... the folds of the main garment ... were smoothed out .... Greater clarity emerged in the proportions of the body ... These modifications also eliminated the distressing similarity to a shower curtain in the crinkly folds of vertical drapery derived from the original interpretation of Sully's sketch."