Yes, I am indeed a noob, here goes... I want to start collecting the state quarters and I was wondering if it's pointless to get them from circulation. Part of the fun is the search but I don't want to collect them all only to find out that they're crap when compared to the mint coins for sale. Should I search or buy?
I actually have a collection of both. A bought and a found set. To find them would be much cheaper and much more fun. It can be cheaper in the sense that your family and friends will give you their quarters as well. I think over half of my circulated state quarter folder was given to me by friends who knew I was collecting them. But even some of my uncirculated ones looked marked and toned. If you wan't good great specimins of them collect the proof sets.
Morning Hin; Welcome to the forum. When I started out collecting back in the '60's (when we used to walk to school in 20 degree weather in the snow and men were men and women were women) I'd get everything from pocket change. I had a paper route back then and a lot of folks used to throw me a 50 cent piece to satisfy their account for the week. It's not pointless to get state quarters from circulation, its more fun. That's the way I built a set of Franklins back then....you could do the same with state quarters today.
The state quarters won't command a premium ever, so getting them from change is a great way to collect a set.
If you want to collect them, their future value should not be a consideration in acquiring them. You've got that right. Now you're talking investment. bqcoins comment is right on target. Collect the state quarters; don't try to invest in them. A state quarter found in circulation costs you 25 cents, and you can ALWAYS get that back (well, inflation might take a bite.) An uncirculated state quarter bought from a dealer will be in the 40-50 cent range. They will not increase in value 60-100% for you in your lifetime (if ever), and inflation is still in play.
Very good points....I think I will look for them in circulation. Then I'll buy any that I can't seem to find in decent condition. Although, that is unlikely to be a problem. Kanga, I know that they aren't a good investment. I just like them and want to get the full set. There are so many of them in mint condition at cheap prices that it kind of seems like a waste to collect the circulated specimens. It has to do with quality, not investment. I just can't help wondering if I'll regret not getting a shiny mint set to pass onto my grandchildren. Well... a proof set would be the shiniest... :goofer: Of course there is always the possibility that the person who inherits the set will just go out and spend it. lol Maybe I'm over thinking this.
Harryj stated it exactly right. You can go to the bank and buy rolls of quarters at face value. Take them home, pick the ones you want, then trade in the rest for another roll. I did that a long time with the Ike dollars and found a lot of nice pieces that I still have.
I have only collected them from pocket change and the occasional roll. But it's also important for you to know that it will take awhile. It looks like you're in WV. That means the "D" mint marks are going to be harder to find. Some states are going to take longer (just for randomness, not rarity). Then, you also want high quality examples. Depending on how many rolls you buy (instead of pocket change), it could take more than a few months. Just a fair warning.... But, yes, the fun is in the chase....
Some dealers in major coin magazines sell a current set(up to date), of uncirculated state quarters for around $20 over face i think. More than likely will be much better quality than you'll find, plus save you time & money running to the bank. You might want to collect a mint set for 2005 to present. These sets contain the satin finish state quarters, which are by far rarer than ordinary circulating state quarters(And may show some price gains in the future).
