Completed Washington Quarter Collection/Album

Wow those are some spectacular coins.

 

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CladKing,

I especially want to thank you for your contributions to this site and for the extra push your posts gave me. There are still many P's in there I could never find!

I am very humbled and appreciative of everyone's comments. It means more than you could probably imagine.

 

You're welcome and thank you.

Washington quarters are a much more challenging set and much more overlooked than most people realize. I've collected them a few times over the years because it's a still evolving set. No matter how they are collected there's always something new to learn.

 

WashQuart_Jesse, Well Done! I salute you.. like others have said this gives me energy to finish mine. I seem to be stuck around 190 coins, I'm still looking for some of those mid-1930s quarters. But now I know it can be done, I'll keep moving along...

 

Nice. I'm working on a Peace Dollar set. It's only 24 coins, yet it's taken me over two years to get where I am (still need 3). Good job completing that one!

 

Just 8 Washingtons to go for me (32DS, 34D, 35DS, 36D, 37S, 39S). Spend a good long time trying to find a 40D that I liked, finally happened upon a great MS66 example at the Whitman show last March for under $300.

 

Wow!! What an accomplishment! Congrats! You have even inspired me to take a look at the underrated beauty of a Washington Quarter, especially the silver ones.

What's next? Will you still be looking for potential upgrades as the years go by? I'd imagine it would be difficult to not look at Washington Quarters now after you've been trained to spot gems for the past decade or so!

 

Thank you for sharing your amazing collection. I hope it brings you more enjoyment and pride.

 

Paul/John, Good luck on your sets and thank you for your kind words. It’s a good hunt! Paul, PM me if you are ever on the fence about a particular coin. Buyer’s market for those dates/MM’s right now! John, I absolutely love Peace Dollars… worn or shiny, just not altered. ANACS appears to be strict/serious with this series.

Iontyre, I attended a show in Clearwater, FL back in 2013 and was fortunate to hammer out a few of the more difficult dates/mm’s. It was here that I located my final 1940-D example from a very kind dealer. Paid $210 at the time. There was a small deposit placed, a check mailed, and a phenomenal coin later received. It is very lustrous, clean, and has a crisp strike. Absolutely love this coin:







Roale, I’ve always felt there was a beauty to it and it’s very pleasing to hear you say that. It’s difficult not to re-evaluate each and every coin, of course. I already want to substitute one coin, which I know, has many better examples available. Thankfully, this one will never be difficult to come by. Part of me wants to say that this “book is now shut” but as you point out, is it ever?

Robert, following your WQ collecting posts has really been enjoyable. You are obviously committed to your pursuit and I admire your method. If you would ever consider adding a few roll coins, I’d send you the best dupes I have (PM me if so). When I started w/ this series, I used to go to car washes and feed bills into the change machines. I got a few silvers out of it, but the nearest I ever got to an uncirculated clad was a 90’s AU but boy did that feel good!

 

Thats a beautiful coin. Cladking has an amazing huge collection too. Thank you for sharing the pictures. Woweee

 

That's a GREAT looking group of Washingtons!!! Congratulations on putting together the set!!!

 

Great looking set! Congrats!!!!

 

Thank you Kim and Sky. Sky, it's always been a pleasure to view your magnificent examples. Seriously, what fabulous coins they are.

It's been only a few months since "completion," but oddly enough, it feels more like years!? I turned to the dark side (Ag bullion) during this period but am enthusiastically (and quickly) returning to numismatics! I am now in the process of assembling an introductory level U.S. gold series. The truth of it, is that I will never be able to devote myself to another series or set as I did with the Washington's (possession or no possession), until I retire. Hopefully, I can make it that long. Boy, will I take advantage of that.

People have suggested that there's never a "completion" point in terms of our "sets." So far, this has proven to be the case with me. On the rare instances I've viewed the old quarters album, there's always been a burning desire to keep upgrading/replacing and probably always will be. I need to keep this thread alive, as promised, but am pulled in every direction right now, it feels like.

I've been spending much of my free time alone in the mountains pursuing big game (and maybe wisdom). I still plan to keep this thread alive and find myself "attempting" to intelligently comment on threads that have captured my interest. However, I'm in the absorption stage of my life you could say... Like many of you will or have come to realize, it's sometimes best to give our thoughts and opinions time to mature, despite us wanting to share.

There was a thread focusing on eagle's that took me into another dimension. Many of you can probably relate. I asked myself, what does the eagle represent to me? What do I want it to represent? How is my ideal representation different from others and why? It got to the point where I found myself researching various bodily angles, symbols, historic trends etc... Good stuff. Have also been tempted into the various CAC, "done w/ U.S.," and "dippers" threads... sure I'm forgetting a bunch. You can always count on me for a Scotch response though (if I can remember my password).

There have been instances when I've said to myself, "this forum is nothing like it used to be," and as I've hopefully pointed out above, maybe it's better than ever? I think so. There's a refreshing wave of interest and you vets are steering them in the right direction, just like you did with me.

In any event, just checking in and will attempt to add to this living thread, shortly!

 

What may prove to be the most fulfilling aspect of having a completed series is the ability to review examples as you wish. This evening, I’m considering the 1965-1967 non-SMS coins of this series. As many of you are already aware, the Mint did not produce proof sets during these years but did offer collectors the ability to purchase special mint sets (SMS). While constructing my album, these SMS sets were still readily available and I had the opportunity to select the most quality examples. I can’t recall how many of these SMS sets I disassembled, but there were quite a few!

As a collector (and very minor seller at the time), what immediately stood out to me was the relative abundance of SMS sets and coins within the marketplace, but seemingly lack of non-SMS examples. This may be a stretch, but I even felt dealers were actually more inclined to list/sell attractive non-SMS coins as SMS, given the SMS’ comparative exclusivity and lower mintages to the non-SMS coins of these same dates. For instance, anyone completing a Washington proof series would require the SMS example. Any dealer presented with a pleasant 1966, 67, or 68 Washington Quarter outside of SMS packaging, would most likely (and understandably), assume and offer it as an SMS coin. Again, this is my suspicion, but one that I feel may be the case. To most, this matters very little. At the time, a non-SMS coin might have fetched a dollar less or something…

Business strike quarters mintage:

1965: 1,819,717,540

1966: 821,101,500

1967: 1,524,031,848

SMS quarters mintage:

1965: 2,360,000

1966: 2,261,583

1967: 1,863,344


The mintage figures obviously suggest that business strike examples were, and may still be, far more available to collectors. However, we have to consider the historical context of these issues and so many other things to really determine true availability. It’s the availability (or lack thereof) of high quality non-SMS uncirculated examples which command my interest. Despite their overwhelming mintage, I believe quality uncirculated non-SMS coins of these dates are worth some consideration. Current TPG value approximations may not exactly encourage submissions, but let’s take a look at PCGS’ population statistics as of this post:

1965 6470 64+1 65168 65+0 66264 66+3 6731 67+7

1966 6437 64+0 6591 65+0 66263 66+2 6759 67+6

1967 6430 64+0 65106 65+0 66413 66+14 6773 67+7

PCGS’ price guide currently lists MS67 examples as follows:

1965 $365

1966 $315

1967 $160

There’s a significant marketplace disparity between PCGS and NGC MS67 examples according to PCGS. Certified NGC MS67 examples have sold for as low as $4 on ebay as recently as this September. Despite this, the only certifiedexample from these dates and this grade, currently for sale on this platform is a 1966 NGC listed with a buy it now of $280. For this particular date, Jamie Hernandez states that:

“The 1966 Washington Quarter is very common, especially since over 800 million of them were struck. Examples in circulated grades can still be found in circulation. Even examples in about MS60-MS63 condition can also be found in circulation. In MS64-MS66 condition they are little tougher to find, yet, can be purchased inexpensively. In MS67 condition it is scarce with less than a hundred examples graded by PCGS. In MS67+ condition is extremely scarce with less than handful of examples known and none being finer.”

I agree with most of Mr. Hernandez’ observations, save for his belief that “examples in about MS60-MS63 condition can also be found in circulation.” My experiences suggest that I am far more likely to find a silver piece in circulation than any pre ’99 Washington Quarter in uncirculated condition! I also question whether or not because “over 800 million of them were struck,” it necessarily guarantees that this makes them “very common” today? I question how many of these have actually been put aside. CT’s own Robert is one of the only/few I can think of. The abovementioned (higher uncirculated grade) PCGS population statistics suggest that the non-SMS 1965-1967 is extremely uncommon in relation to its original mintage.

It was very important for me, as a collector, to be able to distinguish/identify non-SMS coins to SMS coins. Much has been discussed on this forum on the inability or ability to do so. I vaguely recall, strongly suggesting that it was possible, yet far more accomplished collectors often felt otherwise. As far as I know, this remains an open debate. What I can say, is that I took every possible measure to ensure that my non-SMS coins were, exactly that. Q. David Bowers states in A Guide Book of Washington and State Quarters that “unless Special Mint Set coins have cameo contrast and are prooflike, they can be indistinguishable from regular issues” (they, being 65-67). He also states that “Denver quarters bore no mintmark in 1965 and thus appeared identical to Philadelphia coins.” Does anyone know whether or not Denver also produced any 1966 or 67 business strikes? With a mintage of 1,819,717,540 1965 business strike coins, are we now able to differentiate the P’s vs. D’s? Will they remain indistinguishable?

 

212 Coins...is this the set?

Business
1932
1932-D
1932-S
1934 Light Motto
1934 Medium Motto
1934 Heavy Motto
1934-D
1935
1935-D
1935-S
1936
1936-D
1936-S
1937
1937-D
1937-S
1938
1938-S
1939
1939-D
1939-S
1940
1940-D
1940-S
1941
1941-D
1941-S
1942
1942-D
1942-S
1943
1943-D
1943-S
1944
1944-D
1944-S
1945
1945-D
1945-S
1946
1946-D
1946-S
1947
1947-D
1947-S
1948
1948-D
1948-S
1949
1949-D
1950
1950-D
1950-S
1951
1951-D
1951-S
1952
1952-D
1952-S
1953
1953-D
1953-S
1954
1954-D
1954-S
1955
1955-D
1956
1956-D
1957
1957-D
1958
1958-D
1959
1959-D
1960
1960-D
1961
1961-D
1962
1962-D
1963
1963-D
1964
1964-D
1965
1966
1967
1968
1968-D
1969
1969-D
1970
1970-D
1971
1971-D
1972
1972-D
1973
1973-D
1974
1974-D
1976 CLAD
1976-D CLAD
1976-S SILVER
1977
1977-D
1978
1978-D
1979
1979-D
1980-P
1980-D
1981-P
1981-D
1982-P
1982-D
1983-P
1983-D
1984-P
1984-D
1985-P
1985-D
1986-P
1986-D
1987-P
1987-D
1988-P
1988-D
1989-P
1989-D
1990-P
1990-D
1991-P
1991-D
1992-P
1992-D
1993-P
1993-D
1994-P
1994-D
1995-P
1995-D
1996-P
1996-D
1997-P
1997-D
1998-P
1998-D

Proof
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965 SMS
1966 SMS
1967 SMS
1968-S
1969-S
1970-S
1971-S
1972-S
1973-S
1974-S
1976-S CLAD
1976-S SILVER
1977-S
1978-S
1979-S
1980-S
1981-S
1982-S
1983-S
1984-S
1985-S
1986-S
1987-S
1988-S
1989-S
1990-S
1991-S
1992-S
1992-S SILVER
1993-S
1993-S SILVER
1994-S
1994-S SILVER
1995-S
1995-S SILVER
1996-S
1996-S SILVER
1997-S
1997-S SILVER
1998-S
1998-S SILVER

 

It's very close to that list! I only have one of the 1934 varieties but have a Type 1 and Type 2 for the 79-S and 81-S proofs.

 

Cool. Thanks for clarifying. I was at 210 coins so I had to guess which 2 varieties you had added.

Awesome set and story behind it.

 

Thank you Corgi and congrats to you!

 

I've gotta pee......