Just 88 Proof quarter eagles were struck in 1886 and only about half survive for today's collectors. PCGS CoinFacts and John Dannreuther (2018) agree on a range of just 35 to 45 known. Dannreuther points out that 41 pieces were sold in 1886 as part of complete Proof sets, while the balance were acquired individually from the Philadelphia Mint by collectors at the time. Most survivors are in grades of Proof-65 and lower.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, where it sold for $39,600.