1893 25C Isabella Quarter MS68 PCGS. CAC....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Jan 14, 2026 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1893 Isabella Quarter, MS68
Exceptional Luster and Toning, CAC

1893 25C Isabella Quarter MS68 PCGS. CAC. The Isabella quarter dollar traces its conception to Mrs. Potter Palmer, a Chicago socialite, patron of the arts, and grande dame of the World's Columbian Exposition. The Exposition commemorated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in the New World, and also showcased Chicago's resurgence from the devastation of the Great Chicago Fire 20 years earlier.

Mrs. Palmer suggested to the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives that $10,000 of the money earmarked for the Board of Lady Managers of the Exposition be given in the form of a special issue of "souvenir" quarter dollars. This Board had been formed at the insistence of women's rights advocate Susan B. Anthony, who was determined that women should be adequately represented in the administration of the Exposition.

The Board of Lady Managers stressed that these coins were to have female motifs. Queen Isabella of Spain, sponsor of Columbus's voyages to the New World, was chosen as the primary image on the coin. A kneeling woman with distaff was designed for the reverse. A law approved March 3, 1893 authorized the production of 40,000 Isabella quarters, which were struck in due course. However, by May 1894, only 24,191 pieces had been distributed (the Guide Book mintage of 24,214 coins includes the 23 assay coins). The remaining 15,809 were shipped to Philadelphia for storage, but were mistakenly labeled as uncurrent silver and subsequently most if not all were melted in September 1894. Research by Roger Burdette, however, reveals that an additional number of 14,000 coins was ordered struck in May 1896 for delivery to the Board of Lady Managers for distribution via post-Exposition sales. These 14,000 coins, plus an additional 1,700 pieces on hand at the Mint (either retained from the melting pot or struck separately from the 14,000) were ultimately sold to prominent collectors and the public.

Isabella quarters are plentiful through Gem, and while Premium Gems can be located with patience and searching, Superb Gems are scarce. PCGS and NGC have graded a total of 16 MS68 coins, three of which PCGS has graded as MS68+, and one which NGC has graded at MS68+★ (9/25).

Intense luster emanates from both sides on an alluring array of soft cobalt-blue, lavender, gold, and gray toning. The design elements exhibit razor-sharp definition, and close examination reveals no marks on the immaculately preserved surfaces. Endorsed with the CAC green sticker, this splendid Superb Gem is housed in a PCGS Generation 1.2 old green "rattler" holder.
Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2014), lot 5605; San Francisco Signature (Heritage, 3/2014), lot 10911.(Registry values: N7079)
From The Peter Bowe Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BYJ9, PCGS# 9220, Greysheet# 10319)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.25 grams
ASW: 0.20oz
Mintage: 24,214

View all of [The Peter Bowe Collection ]

View Certification Details from PCGS