Standing Liberty Quarters
1918/7-S 25C FS-101 MS64 PCGS. The first auction appearance of a 1918/7-S quarter was in Barney Bluestone's December 1937 public auction sale, lot 741. The coin was given the header: "Excessively Rare Over Date U.S. Quarter Dollar." It was described as "Mint, Unc. Brill.," and, per J.H. Cline's Standing Liberty Quarters, fourth edition, it realized an incredible price for the time of $26.25. The market value of the overdate quarter quickly climbed as collectors discovered its rarity in Mint State. When R.S. Yeoman's Guide Book debuted a decade later, the 1918/7-S was listed with a Mint State value of $150, contrasting against a value of "just" $80 for the 1916 in Uncirculated condition -- The 1916 had been officially unseated as the most desirable key-date Standing Liberty quarter in high grade.
Today, the 1918/7-S remains by far the rarest issue in the series in Mint State, rarely appearing in any such grade and a true prize in Choice condition. The last MS64 coin that we handled was in lot 5045 of our April 2015 Central States Signature event, which realized $43,475. This piece is at the very least equal to that coin. It showcases lustrous satin surfaces and nearly full head detail. The central eagle and the shield rivets show the usual weakness. Neither side has a single mentionable abrasion, and the whole coin features delicate champagne toning. Truly a high-end example of this iconic Standing Liberty quarter rarity. Population: 25 in 64, 4 finer (6/17).
HID02901242017