1893 25C Isabella Quarter MS68 PCGS. CAC. The Isabella quarter dollar traces its conception to Mrs. Potter Palmer, a ...
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Consign your material to be auctioned alongside these items on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Consignment Deadline for this auction is Monday, December 1, 2025.
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. The mintage (including 23 assay coins) came to 40,023, of which 15,809 were eventually melted, for a net distribution of 24,214 pieces.
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.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BYJ9, PCGS# 9220, Greysheet# 10319)
Weight: 6.25 grams
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Auction Info
2026 January 14 - 18 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction #1390 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
December
26th
Friday
Auction Dates
January
14th-18th
Wednesday-Sunday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
92 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 26
Auction Type
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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