I've had this quarter in my world silver junk bin for a bit, just now trying to figure out what the date is. Three of the digits are pretty clear (although well worn) - 1 8 ? 1. That means it could be 1871 (not bad, mintage of 400k) or 1891 (much better date, mintage of 120k.) It can't be 1871 H or 1881 H (no H mint mark) and there was no 1891 H. So it's 1871 or 1891. I'm wondering if there is a design style/die pair giveaway that could help me diagnose the correct year? Image of entire coin: Note that there is a conveniently placed ding just a bit too far right that makes it look like an 8 is there in the third digit (which is not possible, as no H mint mark.) Depending on the lighting angle, in hand it looks like it could be either date.
Nice. What I see as what you call the 3rd numeral seems to be too close to the ending 1. See some examples here: Coins and Canada - 25 cents 1870 to 1901 - Canadian coins price guide and values
1871... from far away it looks like a remnant of a flattened 7...maybe...really took a long hard look to try and help...jmho...Spark
I'm not sure whether this was a hub type or just an obverse die, but looking at the obverse on 1871 and 1891 quarters and matching the positions of the Is in VICTORIA and GRATIA, it looks like this coin matches the obverse die/hub of 1871, not that of 1891.
IF it is an 1871, there are 2 obverses for both the H and no-H types. I looked at the pics at coins & Canada but can’t pick up the differences...anyone know how to ID the obverses?…Spark
Yeah, I'm starting under the assumption that it would be an 1871... It's more likely due to the higher mintage (400k vs. 120k) plus the most convincing view I can get of the third digit in the date does look like a straight line. After viewing some 1891's, that 9 is a lot curvier than whatever metal remains on this coin's date. So, it's probably an 1871 - just wanted to know if there was something obvious about the design that would limit it to one date or the other. I think @Omegaraptor is on the right track. Thanks, all!
