Grading U.S. 25 Cent Quarters
Of the 25 cent US quarters minted, we are buying the following:
- Capped bust quarters, 1819-1838 ~ We are buying all capped bust type quarter dollars.
- Liberty seated quarters, 1838-1891 ~ We buy all Liberty seated type 25 cent coins.
- Barber (Liberty head) quarters, 1892-1916 ~ We buy all Barber quarters.
- Standing Liberty 25 cent pieces, 1916-1930 ~ We buy most Liberty standing quarters.
In addition, we buy all "draped bust" type quarters (1796-1807), some Washington quarters (pre-1951), and will also buy any pre-1965 U.S. quarters if they are in larger quantities. Call us toll-free at 888 380-6468 if you have old or rare quarters to sell.
Below you will find information about some aspects of grading U.S. 25 cent coins 
which may be helpful to you in determining the value of your coins. These descriptions of grades use official American Numismatic Association (ANA) terminology, both in general descriptions of grades throughout this website, as well as coin-specific grading terminology on these coin grading pages.*
Examples of coins in various grading conditions are shown, graded by various professional grading services companies, as indicated by their abbreviations. If you wish to get a fast, fair and free appraisal from a professional coin dealer, go here for more information about how to have us appraise your US quarters.
QUARTERS
P:poor F:fair AG:about good G:good VG:very good F:fine VF:very fine EF:extra fine AU:about uncirculated MS:mint state (Uncirc.) PR:proof |
1838 Capped Bust
EF-40 (PCI)
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1856 Liberty Seated
MS-65 (PCGS)
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1913 Barber Quarter
AG-3 (ANACS)
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1916 Standing Liberty
VF-30 (NGC)
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AG-3, Outlined design. Parts of date and legend are worn smooth. |
AG-3, Outlined design. Parts of date and legend are worn smooth. Obverse: Miss Liberty is outlined, with nearly all details worn away. Date is readable but very weak. Stars are merging into rim. Reverse: Entire design is partially worn away. Legend is merging into rim. |
AG-3, Design is outlined and parts of date and legend are worn smooth. Obverse: shown. Nearly all details are worn away, but head is outlined. Date is readable, but may be partially worn away. Motto is merging into rim. Reverse: Entire design displays heavy wear and legends are merging with rim. |
FR-2, Date faintly readable for Type 1 and 1917 to 1924 Type 2 coins. Part of date readable on later Type 2 coins. Rims on both obverse and reverse worn into lettering, stars and fields. Slight inner details visible on otherwise flat Liberty. On reverse, for both types, no feathers visible. Some lettering and stars worn way. |
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G-4, Heavily worn capped bust quarter. Design & legend visible, but faint in spots. OBV: Entire design well worn, with very little detail. Parts of letters in LIBERTY are worn away. Stars & date are weak but visible; may merge with rim. REV: Eagle worn nearly flat, but outlined completely and shows a few feathers. Tops of some letters are worn nearly smooth; may merge with rim. Eye, talons only partially visible. |
G-4, Heavily worn seated Liberty quarter. Design and legend visible, but faint in some spots. OBV: Entire design is well worn, with very little detail remaining. Date is weak but visible. Shield is worn smooth. REV: Eagle is worn flat but is completely outlined. Tops of some letters are worn nearly smooth. For coins dated after 1865, the motto is partially visible. |
G-4, Heavy wear evident, but Barber quarter design and legend are visible, although they may be faint in some areas. OBV: Little detail remains because entire design is well worn. LIBERTY is worn away Motto is weak but readable. REV: Eagle is worn flat but is completely outlined. Ribbon is worn smooth. Legends are weak but distinct. Rim worn to tops of letters in legends. |
AG-3, Date readable but partially worn way on Type 1 and 2 standing Liberty 25 cent coins. Date more complete on later Type 2 coins. Figure outlined with nearly all details worn away on both types. Legend weak but readable; may merge into rim on Type 1. Legend readable, half worn away on Type 2; may merge with rim. Entire design partially worn away on reverse; some letters merging into rim for both types. |
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VG-8, Well worn design clear but flat, lacks details. OBV: Entire head is outlined; most hair details worn smooth. Eye, ear, and clasp are barely visible. 3 clear letters in LIBERTY. Parts of stars are worn flat. REV: Eagle boldly outlined; some wing feathers showing. Some letters very weak. Head & olive branch are smooth, talons separated, eye visible. |
VG-8, Well worn. Design clear but flat and lacking details. OBV: Entire shield is weak, and most of the gown details are worn smooth. Some letters in LIBERTY are clear. Rim is complete. REV: Eagle shows only bold outline. Some of the shield is very weak. Leaves are fully outlined. Legend and rim are clear. |
G-6, Rims are complete on both obverse and reverse for most dates. OBV: Some of detail on Liberty's wreath beginning to show with possibly the beginning of the L in the word LIBERTY. REV: Small amounts of detail beginning to show on eagle. |
G-6, For both Type 1 and Type 2, entire obverse design is well worn with little detail remaining. Legends are weak but readable. Top of date may be worn flat, but rim is complete. Date is barely readable on early Type 2. On the reverse, eagle is worn almost flat but is completely outlined. Stars and lettering worn, but clearly visible. Rim worn to tops of legends. |
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GRADING U.S. 25-CENT COINS |
CAPPED BUST |
LIBERTY SEATED |
BARBER QUARTER |
STANDING LIBERTY |
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F-12, Moderate to heavy wear. Entire design is clear and bold. OBV: Nearly half the details show in hair, drapery, and cap. All letters, and parts of ear and clasp, are visible. Eyelid is flattened. Parts of stars are worn flat. REV: Half the feathers are visible in the wings. Talons, branch, and arrows are weak but clear. Head is nearly smooth, but eye and some feathers show. |
F-12, Moderate to heavy wear. Entire design clear and bold. OBV: Some details show in hair and cap, and at the shoulder and breast. All shield lines and letters in LIBERTY are weak but visible. Foot and sandal are separated. REV: Some details in feathers are visible. Shield border is partially visible on right side. Talons are flat but separated. Letters in legend are worn but clear. |
VG-8, Designs are clear but flat and well worn, lacking detail. OBV: Most details in the face are worn smooth; entire head is weak. First three letters in LIBERTY are emerging. Rim is complete. REV: Eagle is well worn but small amounts of detail emerging, such as eagle's eye. Most of the shield is very weak. |
G-6, Wear on later-date Type 2 (1925 through 1930) coins is generally the same as Type 1 and Type 2 early dates (1917 through 1924) except for the date area. Almost all of date should be clear and readable. |
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VF-20, Light to moderate even wear. All major capped bust 25 cent piece features are sharp. OBV: More than half the details still show in hair. Drapery, cap, and lower curls are worn partially but bold. Ear, clasp, and LIBERTY are all plainly visible. Star centers are visible. REV: Head, neck, and leg are worn, but some feathers are visible. Most details in wings are clear except for outer edges. Talons and arrowheads are well worn. |
VF-20, Light to moderate even wear. Major seated Liberty quarter features sharp. OBV: More than half the details still show in the gown. Hair, shoulder, and legs are worn but bold. Neckline is incomplete. Every letter in LIBERTY is visible. Horizontal shield lines are weak at center. REV: shown. Three-quarters of the feathers are visible. Arrowheads and talons are worn, but some details are visible. Half the details in leaves are clear. |
VG-10, Wear evident on Liberty head quarter Barber design details: OBV: Four to five letters of LIBERTY discernible, although some will be very weak. More detail is present in Liberty's head wreath. REV: More detail emerging on eagle's wings, shield and ribbon in beak. |
VG-8, Both types, entire design on Liberty standing quarter obverse is weak; most details on gown worn smooth. Rim is complete. Type 1, all letters and date are clear, drapery across breast is outlined; bottom right star is worn flat. Type 2, all letters are clear but numerals only partially readable; drapery across breast is partially outlined. REV: Large feathers at ends of wings are well separated, eye is visible, rim complete. |
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VF-30, Light to moderate even wear. Major features sharp. OBV: Hair above eye and around ear is worn almost smooth. Balance of hair is well detailed. Ear and shoulder clasp show clearly. Drapery, eye, and cap are well defined. Star centers are weak. REV: Feathers are worn but most details are visible. Some details remain in neck and shield. Talons are well worn. All shield lines are separated. |
VF-30, Light to moderate even wear. All major features are sharp. OBV: Wear spots show on shoulder, breast, knee, and legs. Center of neckline is weak but has some visible details. LIBERTY and scroll are complete. Fingers at pole are flat but separated. REV: Leaves are worn but three-quarters of the details are visible. Most details in feathers and talons are clear. |
F-12, Moderate-heavy even wear evident but designs are clear and bold. OBV: Some facial details, hair, and cap. All LIBERTY letters visible, but may be weak. Upper leaves outlined; bottom leaves worn nearly smooth. Rim is bold, full. REV: Half of eagle's feathers are visible, but wear spots in center of neck, motto & arrows. Vertical shield lines are separated; horizontal lines merged. Letters in legends worn, but clear. |
VG-8, Wear on later-date Type 2 (1925 through 1930) coins is generally the same as Type 1 and Type 2 early dates (1917 through 1924) except for the date area. Date should be clear. |
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EF-40, Very light wear on only the highest points. Traces of mint luster may still show. OBV: shown Wear shows on the hair above eye and ear, and lightly on the cap, curls, and stars. Drapery is lightly worn at neckline in spots. Ear and shoulder clasp are very sharp. Eye is well defined. REV: High points of eagle are worn, but each detail is clearly defined. Neck and leg feathers are very lightly worn. Talons, arrows, and olive branch show slight wear. |
EF-40, Very light wear apparent on only the highest points. Trace of mint luster may still show. OBV: Wear shows on knees, head, and shoulder. Gown is lightly worn at neckline in spots. LIBERTY is complete and scroll edges are raised. REV: High points of eagle and arrows are worn, but each detail is clearly defined. Neck feathers and talons are distinct. |
F-15, Moderate wear on design devices. OBV: More details show in hair, facial features, and cap. Most letters in LIBERTY are complete, although bottom of the R may be weak. More detail in leaves present. REV: More details on eagle's feathers and arrows present. All of motto is readable. Horizontal lines in shield are distinctive. |
F-12, Type 1 obverse, gown details worn nearly smooth across Liberty's body, but show at sides; right leg rnearly flat, toe rworn. Breast is worn but visible; date clear. Type 2 gown details show clearly, although worn; breast worn, but some mail is visible. Date may show some weakness. On both types rim is full; outer edge of shield complete. Reverse, both types: Eagle's breast is worn almost smooth. Half of wing feathers visible, though well worn in spots; rim is full. |
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EF-45, Very light wear only on high points of Capped Bust Quarter. Some of the mint luster is still present. OBV: Slight wear shows on high points of the hair above eye and over ear. Drapery is worn at shoulder and bust line. Trace of wear shows on cap and stars. Clasp and ear are bold. REV: High points of wings, head, talons, and beak are lightly worn. Lines in feathers are clearly defined. |
EF-45, Very light wear apparent only the highest points of seated Liberty 25 cent piece. Part of the mint luster is still present. OBV: Slight wear shows on high points of knees, breast, and hair at forehead. Drapery is worn at shoulder and bust line. LIBERTY is sharp and cross edges are raised. REV: High points of eagle and arrows are lightly worn. Lines in talons are clearly defined. Neck feathers are fully separated. |
VF-20, Moderate, even wear overall, but all major Barber Liberty head 25 cent coin design elements are sharp. OBV: More than half of details of leaves evident. Wear visible on hair and ribbon, but both are bold. All letters in LIBERTY are visible. REV: Half of the details of the eagle's feathers are clear, although wings and legs exhibit wear spots. Motto is clear. Wear apparent on the shield, but most details are discernible. |
F-12, Wear on later-date Type 2 (1925 through 1930) standing Liberty quarters is generally the same as Type 1 and Type 2 early dates (1917 through 1924) except for the date area. Date should be clear and very readable. |
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AU-50, Small traces of wear are visible on highest points. Part of mint luster is still present. OBV: Traces of wear show on the hair above eye and over ear, at top of cap, and on the stars. REV: Traces of wear show on talons, arrowheads, and edges of wings. |
AU-50, Small traces of wear apparent on highest points. Half of the mint luster is still present. OBV: Traces of wear show on knees, breast, and edge of hairline. Foot is separated from sandal. REV: Traces of wear show on talons, neck, head, and tip of wings. |
VF-30, Light wear on design elements. OBV: Wear spots apparent on Liberty's cheek, hair and cap as well as leaves. Bottom leaves are weak but some details are visible. Folds in Liberty's cap are complete and LIBERTY and band are complete. REV: Most feather details on eagle's neck and tail are clear. All details on the shield are clear, although wear evident. Motto is complete. |
VF-30, OBV: shown. Both types, wear spots on Liberty's breast, shield, leg; gown line crossing thigh partly visible. Circle around inner shield complete. Type 1, wear evident on head; right leg rounded but worn from above knee almost to foot. Type 2, right leg is rounded but worn from above knee to ankle. ½ of breast mail visible. REV: Both types; feather ends and folds visible in right wing. |
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GRADING US QUARTERS |
CAPPED BUST |
SEATED LIBERTY |
BARBER QUARTER |
STANDING LIBERTY |
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AU-55, Small traces of wear visible on high points. Much of the mint luster is still present. OBV: Only a trace of wear shows on highest points of hair above eye, at top of cap, and on stars. REV: A trace of wear shows on talons and arrowhead. |
AU-55, Small traces of wear are visible on highest points. Much of the mint luster is still present. OBV: Only a trace of wear shows on highest points of hair above eye, and on breast and right leg. REV: A trace of wear shows on head and beak, and above eye. |
EF-40, Light wear on design high points. OBV: Light wear on Liberty's cheek, hair above forehead, cap and leaves. "LIBERTY" is sharp; edges of band are clear. REV: Light wear on high points of eagle's head, neck, wings, tail but details clearly defined. No wear on leaf edges. Traces of mint luster may show. |
VF-30, Wear on later-date Type 2 (1925 through 1930) coins is generally the same as Type 1 and Type 2 early dates (1917 through 1924) except for the date area. Date should be clear and bold. |
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AU-58, Small traces of wear visible on highest points of Liberty capped bust quarter dollar. Has some signs of abrasion: top of cap, stars, and hair above ear and at forehead; eagle's claws, arrows, and edges of wings. |
AU-58, Small traces of wear visible on high points of seated Liberty twenty-five cents. Has some signs of abrasion: high points of hair, breast and knees; neck, claws and tops of wings. Weak spots in the design are usually caused by striking, and not wear. |
EF-45, Very light wear on Barber quarter dollar design high points. OBV: Slight wear detectable on high points of upper leaves, Liberty's cheek and hair above forehead. Edges of band are bold and LIBERTY is sharp. REV: Slight wear discernible on high points of eagle's head, neck, wings and talons. Centerlines of eagle's tail feathers are clearly defined. Part of Mint luster is present. |
EF-40, Traces of mint luster may show on this Liberty standing 25 cent piece. OBV: Both types: Wear on Liberty's breast, right leg above & below knee. Type 1, at least ½ of gown line crossing the thigh is visible. Type 2, most of the gown lines are visible, shield details bold, breast well-rounded but has small flat spot. REV: shown. Both types, eagle high points lightly worn, & central edge on right wing. |
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MS-60, Absolutely no trace of wear, an uncirculated quarter with no trace of wear, but with blemishes more obvious than for MS-63. May lack full mint luster, and surface may be dull, spotted, or heavily toned. |
MS-60, Absolutely no trace of wear. May lack full mint luster, and surface may be spotted, dull, or heavily toned. A strictly Uncirculated coin with no trace of wear, but with more obvious blemishes than for grade MS-63. |
AU-50, Small traces of wear visible on design high points. OBV: Traces of wear show on Liberty's cheek and on her hair below the LIBERTY headband. REV: Traces of wear show on eagle's head, neck, tips of wings and tail. Half of Mint luster present. |
EF-45, Some luster. OBV: Both types: shield details bold. Type 1: Small flat spots on right leg, knee; most of gown line crossing thigh clear. Breast lightly worn but full, rounded. Type 2: Most gown lines clear; breast lightly worn, may show small flat spot. REV: Both types, small flat spots on high points of eagle's breast. |
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1838 Liberty
"capped bust," reverse
MS-63 (NTC)
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1870 Liberty seated
quarter-dollar rev.
VF (NCS)
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1912 Liberty Head
"Barber" quarter, rev.
MS-64 (NGC)
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1919 Liberty standing, rev.
25 cent coin
XF-40 (NGC)
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MS-63, shown. Absolutely no wear. A Mint State coin with attractive mint luster, but noticeable detracting contact marks or minor blemishes. |
MS-63, No wear at all. A Mint State coin with attractive mint luster, but noticeable detracting contact marks or minor blemishes. |
AU-55, Very small traces of wear on design high points. OBV: Slight trace of wear shows on highest points of hair below BER in LIBERTY on the headband. REV: Trace of wear detectable on eagle's head, tips of wings and tips of tail. Three-quarters of Mint luster present. |
AU-50, ½ mint luster present. OBV: Both types, traces of wear on Liberty's breast, knee, high points of shield. Type 1, traces of wear on head. REV: Type 1, traces of wear on wing feathers, center of breast, tail feathers. Type 2, traces of wear on wing edges, center of eagle's breast. All tail feathers visible. |
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MS-65, Absolutely no wear on capped bust 25 cent piece. Nearly as perfect as MS-67 except for some small blemishes. Has nearly full mint luster but may be lightly fingermarked or unevenly toned. A few minor marks or nicks may be present. |
MS-65, shown. Absolutely no trace of wear on this Liberty seated quarter dollar. No trace of wear; nearly as perfect as MS-67 except for some small blemishes. Has full mint luster buy may be unevenly toned or lightly fingermarked. A few minor nicks or marks may be present. |
AU-58, Slightest traces of wear detectable on design high points of Liberty head twenty-five cents Barber quarter. OBV: Some evidence of abrasion on high points of Liberty's cheek and her hair below LIBERTY headband. REV: Some signs of abrasion on eagle's head, tips of tail and tips of wings. |
AU-55, ¾ of Liberty standing quarters' mint luster is present. OBV: Type 1: trace of wear on highest points of head, breast, inner shield & right leg. Type 2: trace of wear on highest points of mail covering breast, inner shield, right knee. REV: Type 1: trace of wear on wing edges, breast and tail feathers. Type 2: trace of wear on eagle's breast, wing edges. |
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MS-67, Absolutely no trace of wear. Virtually flawless, but with very minor imperfections. |
MS-67, Absolutely no wear. Virtually flawless, but with very minor imperfections. |
MS-60, Strictly uncirculated; no traces of wear on the coin. May have large detracting contact marks or damage spots; be heavily toned. May have heavy concentrations of hairline scratches, large areas of scuff marks, rim nicks. Coin may be dull or washed out, lack full mint luster. Eye appeal is generally poor. |
AU-58, OBV: On Type 1 some signs of abrasion of Liberty's breast, knee and high points of shield. On Type 2 some signs of abrasion of mail covering knee, breast, high points of gown and shield. REV: On both types, signs of abrasions on high points of eagle's breast and wings. |
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GRADING U.S. 25-CENT COINS |
CAPPED BUST |
LIBERTY SEATED |
BARBER QUARTER |
STANDING LIBERTY |
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MS-70, No trace of wear, at all. A flawless quarter exactly as it was minted, with no trace of wear or injury. Must have full mint luster and brilliance or light toning. |
MS-70, Absolutely no trace of wear; flawless quarters exactly as they were minted, with no trace of wear or damage. Must have full mint luster and brilliance or light toning. |
MS-61, Strictly uncirculated; no traces of wear. Surfaces may exhibit small-large clusters of "bag marks," noticeable hairline scratches, scuff marks on major design elements. Rim nicks and planchet defects may show. Mint luster may be diminished or noticeably impaired. Eye appeal is somewhat attractive. |
MS-61, Uncirculated with no trace of wear for both types. May have a few heavy or numerous light contact marks in prime and secondary focal areas. May have noticeable patch or continuous hairline scratches over surfaces. Luster may be original or impaired. Generally unattractive eye appeal. |
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MS-62, Strictly uncirculated Barber quarter, no traces of wear. A few large marks or nicks permitted in prime focal areas. Hairline scratches may be very noticeable; large scuff marks may be evident on major design elements. May exhibit dull luster. Overall eye appeal is generally acceptable. |
MS-62, Uncirculated with no trace of wear for both types of standing Liberty quarter. May have distracting marks in prime or secondary focal areas. May have a few, noticeable scattered patches of hairline scratches . Luster may be original or impaired. Generally acceptable eye appeal. |
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MS-63, Strictly uncirculated; no traces of wear. A few, scattered, heavy contact marks and numerous smaller ones may be evident. Hairline scratches visible without magnification. Mint luster may be slightly impaired. Overall, a rather attractive quarter dollar. |
MS-63, Uncirculated with no trace of wear for both types. May have distracting marks in prime focal areas and a few scattered or small hairline scratches. Luster may be slightly impaired or original. Eye appeal should be rather attractive. |
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To sell your old U.S. 25 cent coins ...
888 380-MINT |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
... please call for free appraisal! |
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MS-64, shown. Strictly uncirculated; no detectable traces of wear. 1-2 moderately heavy contact marks / several small contact marks in groups allowed. 1-2 small patches of hairline scratches permitted under low magnification. Noticeable light scuff marks may be evident on design elements, fields. Average strike and luster. Overall, the coin is attractive with pleasing eye appeal. |
MS-64, Uncirculated with no trace of wear for both types. May have light scattered marks, with a few in prime focal areas. May have a few scattered hairline scratches in secondary areas. Must have average to full original luster and pleasing eye appeal. |
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MS-65, Strictly uncirculated Liberty head quarter. No wear detectable. A few, small, scattered contact marks or 2 larger marks permitted. 1-2 small patches of hairline scratches (under magnification) acceptable. Light scuff marks may show on design high points. Displays attractive, high quality luster and strike. Overall quality above average; eye appeal very pleasing. |
MS-65, Uncirculated with no trace of wear for both types of Liberty standing 25e cent pieces. Light and scattered contact marks permitted, but not in prime focal areas. May have a few scattered hairline scratches. Luster must be fully original and eye appeal must be very pleasing. |
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MS-66, Strictly uncirculated; no wear. No more than 2-3 minor, noticeable contact marks, & few, very light hairline scratches under magnification permitted. 1-2 light scuff marks may show on frosted surfaces of design elements or fields. Must exhibit above average quality of strike and full, original mint luster. Eye appeal must be above average and very pleasing. |
MS-66, Uncirculated with no trace of wear for both types. Several small contact marks permitted, with a few in prime focal areas. No hairline scratches permitted unless detectable under magnification. Must have above average, fully original luster. Must have above average eye appeal. |
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... please call us toll-free at:
888 380-MINT |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
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Get a free appraisal and grading of your old or rare US quarters from Midwest Mint. As experienced coin dealers, we can offer you top prices. Call 888 380-MINT for more information. |
