A Gaggle Of Toned Washington Quarters or A Box Of Twenty-One

It seems as though we have had a number of guess the grade threads recently that have featured Washington quarters (WQs). Guessing the grade of a mint state coin from images can be quite a bit like playing darts when you aren't that skilled at darts. Sometimes you hit your mark, sometimes you don't; and sometimes the images might even be useful. These recent threads, and the recent white winter we have been having in New England, have led me to decide to post some truly colorful coins.

I've been collecting and/or dealing coins for many years and my first great love in numismatics, once I figured a few things out, was with mint state WQs. Initially, it was a quest to find white or lightly toned gems that would be placed into the translucent blue Capital Plastics holders that were broken up into two frames for 1932-1947 and 1948-1964, or thereabouts. I broke quite a few old green holder (OGH) coins out for those sets, but of course they weren't OGHs at the time.

Later, that white set of gems departed and I scanned the bourse for any wonderfully toned gem WQs. In the mid-and late-1990s these could be found with some frequency and often they carried relatively little premium. The premium might have been large as a percentage of price, but was actually fairly small in terms of actual increased dollars to acquire. I bought and sold, bought and sold like you might wash your hair; lather, rinse, repeat. However, by the new millennia, that relatively shallow pool of exquisitely toned WQs just waiting to be purchased had dried up and within a few years after that the prices rose something fierce. Those prices might not be today as uniformly as high as they were 10-15 years ago, but the best coins still cost a stiff sum...and they aren't found all that often.

So, in honor of the recent threads and the recent snow, here is a bit of WQ color overload for anyone willing to take the time to open this thread. The following pieces have all eventually made their way to PCGS and CAC, and the names I have given to the files will disclose the PCGS opinion on them. I won't bother at this time to post the grades, but folks can feel free to ask about any coin that think is somehow interesting. The great majority of these were purchased raw in the 1990s. Lastly, I may have posted images of many of these previously, but do not recall if I have and do not remember making a thread about them. If this is an annoying repeat then please excuse me in advance. The posts will be made in groups of seven coins each. Enjoy.

 

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I forgot about the 1947-S.

 

nice coins Tom, Love the 47-D

 

I sure do like the 1939, super nice box btw.

'39 is too cool.

 

Did you forget about the 47S, or were you saving the best for last? Damn, that coin is spectacular.

Every single coin in that group is gorgeous, fantastically toned, lustrous, and drool-worthy. I'm not surprised, given your reputation for good taste, that your personal collection would be enviable.

 

OMG

WOW!

Holy Cow!

I think the 1940 is the cream of the crop! That said, they are all fantastic.

 

A blue wing and a lavender wing, dripping with luster. Way too cool!

 

That is ridiculous! They punched the wrong date on that coin. It is supposed to be a 58-D!

 

Bravo Tom, this thread is TOTW, for all you Cointalkers who have been around for a while.

 

So that 47-D was available in Mopar colors. Learn something new everyday!!

 

Gorgeous coins Tom!

 

box of beauties

 

Thanks all!

I did, indeed, forget all about the 1947-S until I realized there were only 20-coins posted instead of 21. Then I had to go and figure out where I messed up. I'm also glad that the reverse of the 1950-S received some love. It truly does have one lavender wing and one blue wing and is also covered in icy luster, It's very cool.

 

@Tom B you are my hero! I am a huge Washington quarter fan too. Currently working on my Unc dansco 8140. I have only the 30's and some of the 40's to go. (I.e. the tough years). Along the way I found an affinity for the toners as well. I pick them up when I can. I'm in sheer awe of this set, would love to see it in person.

 

What a superb set! Would make a nice calendar.

 

Superb toners. The amazing coins too me are the 32 and 39 they are real tough so attractive. Remarkable as a set every coin is a stunner.

 

Really like the 1932. All of them quarters are gery nice