Completed $2.50 Indian Set/Album

These business strike 1908-1929 $2.50 Indian Quarter Eagles represent the accomplishment of my second focused collecting objective/series. Having spent over a decade assembling a comprehensive 1932-1998 business strike and proof Washington Quarters set, this short series was refreshing. It offered a collector like me an approachable introduction to gold coinage.

I began assembling this set in October of 2018. It’s made up of PCGS graded, AU-55 coins, save for one exception. There wasn’t any particular reason why I chose PCGS as the TPG. Overall, I feel there’s a nice grading consistency to these coins, though. My self-imposed PCGS / AU55 only, constraint, prolonged my completion of this set but added to the enjoyment.

A year doesn’t sound like a long time, but there were some examples that I couldn’t seem to locate for many months, despite my hunts. This was especially the case for the 1926-1929 coins. PCGS’ population report lists only 246-347 graded AU55’s for these years. This is a far lower average/range than the published MS65 figures. It’s an interesting observation for the collector. The reason for this may be due to the gap in production. Post-WW1 1925-D-1929 coins are commonly understood to have only been reintroduced, basically, for collectors and those looking to purchase them as gifts. In pre-war dates, PCGS AU55 examples are about as frequent as MS-64’s. Of course, some of the unavailability is also due, or mainly due, to the grade’s relatively low price point today, overall lack of collector interest at time of production, and/or because of the “curio” nature of these. In any event, I was not able to locate a single 1929 PCGS AU55. It’s possible/probable I may have passed on one or two early on in the journey, but I’ve seriously pursued this coin for at least 6 months.

PCGS 1911-D’s in AU55 (strong D) appear to change hands on a pretty regular basis. I decided to be patient and hold out for a more unique and original, pleasing example. When I finally located “the one,” I faced some strong bidding competition and was bid right up to my maximum, while participating in the Legend Regency Auction #33. There was another example being offered up in a GC auction right around this time. It was also a CAC coin, but looked more “run of the mill” with a more regularly observed yellow gold hue. That coin sold for at least a thousand dollars less than the five and change I’m into my example for. Ultimately, I wanted my key date to be one of the highlights of the album, as far as attractiveness is concerned. Hopefully, I achieved that. Purchase price, pedigree, auction house, whatever... none of that is indicative of quality, necessarily.

Excluding the 1911-D and the 1929, I paid an average of about $320 per coin for the rest (includes shipping/auction fees). Many would consider this to be on the high side, using the overall PCGS price guide (October, 2018) average of $362 as a reference.

The lowest I was able to pay for one of the commons (PCGS slabbed AU55) was $276, for a 1926, which was acquired through a Great Collections auction (very strong coin). The highest I paid for a common (PCGS slabbed AU55) was $369 for a pleasing 1909. Having spent the greater part of one year collecting this series, I believe the market for them (quality non-bullion examples) is strong and will continue to strengthen, at least in the short term.

This evening I pulled the trigger on a very pleasing 1929 in an OGH. It’s graded 63. So, my set’s technically completed, but this wasn’t the grade I was seeking. I had been eyeballing it for a little while as a completion option. Suppose I was compelled by its attractiveness (which I paid for) but it’s really just a placeholder. I plan to share this album's coins here and may also get it listed as a registry.



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Cool stuff. I’ve done a set, minus the 1911-D

 

Very cool set. I'd love to see more photos of the rest.

 

Congrats! I'd love to see more pictures. I have a toned set that I have been putting together for several years... fun stuff!

 

Great job but posting a black & white photo of gold coins is just mean.

 

OK, lol... Let me get this corrected! Edits/additions in progress...

 

Year / Mint: 1908
Mintage: 564,821
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #27506929
Notes: Overall olive/green hue w/ subtle rose/copper/lavender toning. Far more attractive than my photos suggest.

 

Year / Mint: 1909
Mintage: 441,760
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #36337833
Notes: Nice unique/original contrast.

 

Year / Mint: 1910
Mintage: 492,000
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #35756544
Notes: Yellow gold hue.

 

Year / Mint: 1911
Mintage: 704,000
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #11886380
Notes: More of a slightly deeper yellow gold hue. Good details for the grade.

 

Year / Mint: 1911-D
Mintage: 55,680
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 (Strong D)#34030278
Notes: Olive/green hue w subtle copper/rose contrast. Nicely struck. Legend Auctions. CAC.

 

@WashQuartJesse very nice set, Congratulations!!!

I did the set in the late '80's and early '90's, it's a fun one to do. I sold it off around 2000 to finance some remodeling on my house. I'm kicking myself now for selling off the 1911-D... c'est la vie.

 

Just a wonderful collection - I've taken a sudden interest in gold coins so I'll be studying these images for a bit.

 

Year / Mint: 1912
Mintage: 616,000
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #1572699
Notes: Very pleasing example. Attractive relatively subtle tone. Very strong details for the grade (IMO). OGH.

 

Year / Mint: 1913
Mintage: 722,000
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #35160960

 

Year / Mint: 1914
Mintage: 240,000
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #82932871

 

Year / Mint: 1914-D
Mintage: 448,000
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #81809543
Notes: Yellow-gold / lustrous.

 

Year / Mint: 1915
Mintage: 606,000
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #36081612

 

The reason there are fewer 1925-29 coins in AU55 than MS65 is not because they are rarer, it's because financially they aren't worth sending in. Their value is too close to bullion, and the ROI is terrible..

 

Year / Mint: 1925-D
Mintage: 578,000
TPG Service/Grade/Cert. #: PCGS AU55 #12416122
Notes: Coin has a pleasing deep burnt orange color w/ a little lavender mixed in. Really like this one!