[The following excerpt is published courtesy of DLRC Press and its author, David Lawrence. This information was originally published in 1994 in The Complete Guide to Barber Quarters.]
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The Barber quarter series is easy to grade in circulated condition but, like many U.S. coins, the strike must be taken into consideration. Coins from the New Orleans Mint are often weakly struck, lacking detail on Liberty’s forehead and wreath on the Obverse. On the reverse, weakness is manifested along a vertical path from the right corner of the shield down to the eagle’s claw.
There was a hub change in 1900 which altered the design enough to affect grading. Quarters of the 1892-1900 — Obverse I —tend to have more detail over the forehead in grades VF and EF (and sometimes in AU) than those of the 1900-1916 hub in the same grades. It is not unusual for VF coins of Obverse I to have a full band under the word LIBERTY, but this band may not even be complete on some EF coins of the second hub type. Also, dates late in the series (1910-1916) tend to be more weakly struck than their earlier counterparts. I have tried to show this in the photographs below.
Coins wear continuously, not in discrete steps, and the different standard grades represent levels in the process. It is not surprising that coins often fall between grades and so called “split grades” have come into standard use in today’s market.
About Good (AG)
The rim will be worn away on both obverse and reverse sides. On the reverse, wear is well into the letters.
Good (G-4)
OBVERSE: Details of Liberty’s wreath are completely worn. The rim is usually complete.
REVERSE: The rim is not quite complete in many cases.
Good/Very Good (G-6)
The rim is complete on both sides with a few date exceptions.
OBVERSE: Some of Liberty’s wreath detail will show, also the beginning of the word LIBERTY usually the L.
REVERSE: The rim will be complete except for some of the later years such as 1913-S and 1914-S.
Very Good (VG-8)
OBVERSE: Three letters of LIBERTY show, usually the L, T and Y. Liberty’s head wreath will show more detail. The rim will show three-dimensionality.
REVERSE: The design will show more three-dimensionality than in the previous grade. The rim must be complete for all dates.
Very Good/Fine (VG-10)
OBVERSE: Four and one-half to five letters of LIBERTY show, but some will be weak. Liberty’s head wreath will show more detail.
REVERSE: The design will show more three-dimensionality than in the previous grade.
Fine (F-12)
This grade is determined by the obverse details.
OBVERSE: Every letter in LIBERTY will show but some will be weak.
Fine/Very Fine (F-15)
This grade is determined by the obverse details.
OBVERSE: Most letters in LIBERTY will be complete. Weakness will usually be in the bottom of the R.
Very Fine (VF-20)
This grade is determined by the obverse details.
OBVERSE: Every letter in LIBERTY is complete.
Very Fine/Extra Fine (VF-30)
OBVERSE: LIBERTY will be complete. In coins of Obverse I (1892-1900), there will be a complete band under LIBERTY. In coins of Obverse II (1900-1916) the band under LIBERTY will show under the LIB and TY.
REVERSE: The eagle’s feathers will be about 3/4 complete.
Extra Fine (EF-40)
OBVERSE: TYPE I: The band under LIBERTY is complete and the laurel wreath and forehead show three-dimensionality. TYPE II: The band under LIBERTY will be almost complete but may be absent under the ER. The laurel wreath will show sharp detail and separation between the leaves and Liberty’s hair.
REVERSE: The top feathers of the eagle’s left wing will be complete or nearly so (both hubs).
Extra Fine/Almost Uncirculated (XF-45)
OBVERSE: TYPE I: All obverse details will show considerable three-dimensionality but the coin will have a little too much wear for an AU. Some hair detail will show over the forehead. TYPE II: Forehead detail will be shallower than in Type I, but the laurel wreath will be sharp.
REVERSE: The top feathers of each wing will be complete but lack detail (both hubs).
Almost Uncirculated (AU50)
OBVERSE: BOTH TYPES: Rub will show on the hair above the forehead and Liberty’s cheek. Unless heavily toned, the coin will have luster among the stars and, lightly, in other areas. TYPE II obverses have shallower hair detail over the forehead than TYPE I.
REVERSE: There should be luster throughout unless hidden by toning. The top feathers must be complete and three-dimensional (both types).
Almost Uncirculated (AU55)
OBVERSE: BOTH TYPES: Unless hidden by toning, coin should have luster which is broken only at the highest points: cheek bone under Liberty’s eye and forehead. This coin should have only the slightest wear.
REVERSE: BOTH TYPES: Only the slightest rub will show on the eagle’s top feathers. Unless weakly struck the top feathers will show inner detail. Note: The shield and eagle’s right claw are not high spots. Weakness in either area is due to strike, not wear. The eagle’s right (as you view the coin) claw is often weakly struck in this design, especially in later years of the series. Coins from the New Orleans Mint are the most likely candidates for weak strikes on the upper right corner of the shield.
NOTE ON AU58 GRADE: Some collectors believe that coins grading AU58 are as equally cosmetic in appearance as MS63-64 coins, but have the slightest trace of wear. A nice AU will he more appealing than a baggy MS60 but it is a mistake to believe that a lack of detracting marks is part of the grade. An AU58 as typically seen from the major grading services, simply represents a coin which is just shy of mint state. It may or may not have detracting marks.
Mint State (MS60-69)
This coin has not been in circulation, but may have picked up marks and light scratches through mishandling, sliding album pages, or stacking. High grade coins look “fresh” and often have a “flashy’ appearance. “Dipped” coins may qualify for mint state, but not those which have been mechanically cleaned. Surfaces of the latter have been impaired and signs of wear may have been obliterated.
Toning subdues luster and can hide friction. Such coins are difficult to grade and sometimes fool Professionals. Relying on third-party grading is recommended for coins grading MS 63 and higher and for lower grade uncirculated coins when there is a large price difference between grades.
OBVERSE: Liberty’s cheek may show light lines or marks due to stacking and handling. The fields may have “hits” or scratches, but light lines in the fields are usually a sign of circulation (and/or cleaning). Luster should be uniform and unbroken throughout the fields and devices.
REVERSE: The wing tips are among the highest points of the design. They must not show any signs of wear, but may be flat due to strike. If not darkly toned, the coin must be lustrous. Because of the design it is easier to determine if a Barber quarter is mint state from the obverse.
NOTE: Grading mint state coins requires a lot of experience and is fairly subjective. Some factors which should be considered: the number, size and location of marks as well as the coin’s “freshness.” Strike is sometimes taken into account, but the industry seems to be uncertain about this. Planchet striations seen on some S-mint Barbers do not affect the grade, though they may affect its price and desirability in extreme cases. Die polishing also should not affect the grade.