Attn: Barber Collectors

Very odd, Sikevo! As you know, the reverse rim is normally gone well before you lose the outline of the eagle. A wear pattern like this suggests the coin might be bent or otherwise distorted to make that area of the reverse "stick out" above the plane of the rims. However, I think you would have noticed if the coin was bent to that extent.
Even if it were a pocket piece I'd expect the wear to be distributed more evenly.

So, what date is it?

It's important to see the other side of the coin before I can give you a clue.

Could be finger wear on a pocket piece. Could be the coin was hit with a punch from the other side causing this side to flatten.

There is no way to give an assessment without seeing the other side as well.

Thanks,
Bill

table mounted buffer?.

This are pics from the seller. I have decided not to negotiate for this coin because it raises too many red flags and that bald spot is pretty distracting. My hunt continues for the 1896-S, 1901-S and 1913-S...

Its not a strike through grease error. I think you made a great choice to keep looking.

I wouldn't touch the coin unless I could get a view of the other side. The most likely cause of that kind of distortion is damage to the other side of the coin. If the seller refuses to share the other side of the coin with you, I would walk away. A damaged coin has very little value even if it is a tougher date.

The damage also effects the rim on the reverse and you can see the flattened look.

This is an issue of wear or damage. That's why a person would need to see the other side.

Thanks,
Bill

Thanks for the picture of the obverse.

It wouldn't be that bad except for that strange pattern of wear.

Seeing the obverse makes it more clear that it is probably an unfortunate case where a scarce date coin was used as a pocket piece.

Thanks,
Bill

I still think it is very slightly bent. It would not take very much of a bend to result in that "bald spot" wearing on the reverse. On early US coins you can get something like that from improper hardening of the die which would result in the face of th die sinking and a buldge in the coin that has a lack of detail and which wears quickly. But the 1896-S quarter probably came from only one or two rev dies and if one of them had a sinking problem it would be well known and there would be no questions about the coin. But it ISN'T well known.