1893 Isabella PCGS MS64 Toned Silver Commemorative Quarter

Description

1893 25C Isabella
PCGS MS64
Quarter Early Silver Commemorative. Shipped for free via USPS First Class Package (2 to 3 Business Days). Free returns within 30 days. This is a must-have for Silver Commemorative collectors, and has an interesting story worth reading in full over from PCGS CoinFacts.
From PCGS CoinFacts:
(1893 Newspaper Excerpt):
The provision for this souvenir coin in the appropriation recently made by Congress for the Board of Lady Managers was intended by the national legislature to mark two important events: the aid given by Queen Isabella of Spain to Columbus in the furtherance of his voyage of discovery; and also emphasis of the fact that for the first time in the history of the world, special provision has been made by the United States Congress for the adequate participation of women in a great international enterprise.
Commemorating:
The Board of Lady Managers at the World’s Columbian Exposition; the 400
th
anniversary of the arrival of
Columbus
in the
New World
; 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition
Obverse motif:
Portrait of Queen Isabella
Reverse motif:
Kneeling woman
Authorization date:
March 3, 1893
Date on coins:
1893
Date when coins were actually minted:
1893
Mint used:
Philadelphia
Maximum quantity authorized:
40,000
Total quantity minted (including assay coins):
40,023
Assay coins (included in above):
23
Quantity melted:
15,809
Net number distributed (including assay coins):
24,214
Issued by:
Board of Lady Managers, World’s Columbian Exposition,
Chicago
,
Illinois
Standard original packaging:
Supposedly a small quantity was distributed in Board of Lady Managers envelopes; at least one private presentation box issued by a bank exists
Official sale price:

Designer of obverse and reverse:
Charles E. Barber (following ideas of Kenyon Cox?)
Interesting facts:
First
United States
coin to depict a foreign monarch; first and only
U.S.
commemorative quarter dollar.
David Hall:
The 1893 Isabella quarter is one of the most important issues of the silver commemorative series. And it is also one of the most desirable. The Isabella has many things that distinguish it from it's silver commemorative half dollar brothers;
1. The Isabella is the only U.S. silver commemorative quarter, though it might be noted that the 1932 Washington quarter was originally intended as a commemorative issue, but morphed into the regular issue quarter series that is still minted today.
2. The Isabella quarter is one of the earliest U.S. commemoratives. Actually, it is the second issue of the commemorative series after the 1892 (and 1893) Columbian half dollar. This is an important factor in explaining the rarity of the early silver commemorative issues in Choice and Gem condition. There were a ton of different silver commemorative issues in the 1930s. But prior to 1934, there were a few issues minted every few years. The issues of the 1930s were generally saved at the time of issue and seldom saw circulation (ever seen a circulated Norfolk???) These 1930s era silver commemoratives are readily available in Gem condition. The earlier issues were also saved at the time of issue, but not in the enormous percentage of the mintage as the 1930s issues. Many of the earlier issues are often found in circulated condition. And many of them are quite rare in Gem and Superb Gem condition. The 1893 Isabella quarter did see some circulation, though since the issue price was .00, many were saved. Nonetheless, the Isabella quarter is rare in Gem condition.
3. The Isabella quarter is one of the highest demand issues in the silver commemorative series. Because it is the only quarter, because it is one of the earliest issue, because it is rare in top condition...all of these factors make the Isabella quarter one of the most sought after of all United States commemorative coins.