[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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Mintage
Business strikes: 964,079
Varieties: Both Type I and II reverses (see Major Hub Changes, p. 8), with the Type I the more common (unlike the “P” and “0′). The First Edition identified 8 similar mint marked positions, 3 for Type I and 5 for Type II reverses, plus an RPM (No. 101 below). Two other varieties are listed here also:
101 1892-S/S RPM. The “S” is clearly doubled. Has a Type I reverse. (sketch)
102 1892-S RPD. slight doubling evident on lower right of the “2.” My specimen also had a die crack through the date. (photo)
Scarcity: A scarce date in all grades.
Rarity Ratings: G/VG R3; F/VF R4; EF/AU R3; MS R4. #101 and #102 are at least 1 RR point higher.
Ranking: 12th in mintage; 26th (tied) in certified population (saved somewhat, as first year of issue); 33rd in MS63PI and 43rd (tied) in Gem PI.
Comments: First year of issue and well struck. Sometimes proof-like. 1892 is the only year that the mint mark is directly over the ‘R” in QUARTER. This date has strong collector demand, especially from VG to AU. In Fine and Very Fine, demand greatly exceeds supply and probably always will.
