1904

The 1904 quarter posted a mintage of 9,588,813 pieces at Philadelphia, the second-largest figure for the series after 1899. Production ran heavy across the silver denominations that year as Treasury reserves were being rebuilt following the strong commercial demand of the late 1890s, and the Philadelphia coining presses pushed all four silver denominations into circulation in volume. One quirk worth noting: San Francisco struck no quarters in 1904 at all, having diverted its silver capacity to dime and half-dollar production, so there is no 1904-S Barber quarter to chase. The branch absence means the year-set consists of only Philadelphia and New Orleans issues, an unusual two-coin date in a series otherwise reliably tri-mint. Roll quantities from 1904 P entered collector hands during the bag-storage era of the 1930s and 1940s, which is why the date remains accessible in upper circulated grades despite the considerable wear sustained by the broader mintage in commerce.

Strike characteristics on the 1904 Philadelphia are generally average to slightly above for the late series. Liberty's hair under the cap typically shows good detail, and the wreath leaves separate cleanly; the eagle's shield lines come up reasonably well, though the right talon and the lower arrow feathers can show softness when die wear had progressed. Grade distribution surveyed across the major TPGs (third-party grading services like PCGS and NGC) shows comfortable populations through MS-64 with MS-65 obtainable, MS-66 scarcer but not condition-rare, and MS-67 thinning sharply. No major die varieties are listed for the year in Cherrypickers' Guide. The reverse retains the Type II hub used throughout the late series. Original luster on uncirculated survivors tends toward a soft frost rather than the prooflike fields sometimes seen on earlier Philadelphia dates.

For collectors the 1904 Philadelphia is one of the more accessible dates in the back half of the series. Type buyers can secure choice uncirculated examples without strain, while date-set builders typically pair this issue with the 1904-O to complete the two-coin year. Mint State material appears regularly at major-dealer inventory and in auction at predictable price levels through MS-65. For more on design history and the year's branch-mint distribution, see the Barber Quarter series history.