Whitman Expo
1893 Isabella Quarter dollar MS Values
Details
The 1893 Isabella commemorative quarter holds numismatic significance for many reasons, including the fact it was the first United States legal-tender coin to bear the image of an actual female (beyond the many allegorical representations of a female Liberty), was the first to bear the likeness of a foreign monarch (in this case of the queen of Spain), and is also the only 25-cent coin among the body of classic United States commemoratives produced from 1892-1954.
The 1893 Isabella quarter was struck concurrently with the Columbian commemorative half dollars during their last year of issue. It was a fitting gesture, as Queen Isabella of Spain sponsored and supported Christopher Columbus voyages across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World, including his most famous journey in 1492.
The Isabella quarter, sculpted and engraved by Charles Barber and designed by Kenyon Cox, was sold for $1 each at the Women's Building at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Isabella quarter was authorized for a mintage of 40,000 pieces but just 24,214 were distributed. Examples are widely available through MS66 and become scarce in better grades.
This coin is made of 90% silver; 10% copper and has a current melt value of $10.75
Obverse: Queen Isabella is prominently featured with crown and royal bust adornments and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery. The year 1893 is aligned inside the word AMERICA along the right side.
Reverse: A kneeling woman is centered on the reverse with the words BOARD OF WOMEN MANAGER * COLUMBIAN QUAR. DOL.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
24,214
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Isabella
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
6.25 gr
Weight:
0.2009 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.18084 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
24.3 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
Charles E. Barber
Obverse Designer:
Charles E. Barber
Reverse Designer:
Charles E. Barber
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