Indeed, they were sold directly to collectors and none were intended for circulation. Some of them apparently got spent anyway, though they're quite rare to find in circulation, or even in rolls and boxes (people that hunt quarters on a regular basis actually find more W-minted quarters!). Technically there were S-minted business strikes of bicentennial quarters, but only in 40% silver. They started S-minted business strikes in 2012, with the El Yunque/Puerto Rico quarter, and continued making them for all the rest of the America the Beautiful (National Park) quarters up to 2021. They didn't make any S-minted business strikes for the Crossing the Delaware quarter, but in 2022 they started them up again for the American Women quarters.
Finds from the register today: 1948 Lincoln wheat cent And I know most people wouldn't care about these much, but found a bicentennial quarter that finished off my second full roll worth of them.
Cash register finds today: In the category of "maybe not that rare, but it sure seems like I almost never see these in circulation, so why not save them": 2009-P US Virgin Islands, and 2024-D Zitkala-Sa quarters.
Caught a 2009 Lincoln Cent the other day. I had to pause to think when I saw a 2009 caught from change. It’s been a while.
Change from the local coin store today: 1946-D Jefferson nickel (If anyone cares what I bought, it was: a 1953 Franklin half dollar, a 1967 Canadian nickel, a quarter tube, and a dime tube.) The fact a coin store gives out a coin as if it were worth just face value, is a good indication that they think it is only worth face value lol. But what the heck; I'll save it anyway because it's worth more than 5 cents to me. Until it reaches the point where I run out of room to save things only I think are worth saving. I try to stay on the collecting side of collecting vs. hoarding, but sometimes things feel like they're worth saving to me even if nobody else thinks so. And a nickel minted before my parents were born fits in that category. Sometimes it makes me slightly depressed realizing how many people don't even look at their change, but hey, more coins for me then!
Cash register find today: First silver find (in circulation) in years! 1944-P Jefferson silver war nickel.
Another one seemingly rare in circulation: 2024-D Celia Cruz quarter Will be honest had no idea who she was before seeing her on a quarter. But can't deny this design is very energetic.
Yesterday's cash register finds: 1941 Lincoln wheat cent, pretty nice condition 1995 Canadian cent 2025-D Ida B. Wells quarter, first 2025 US coin I've even seen in circulation so far Today's finds: 1942 & 1948-D Jefferson nickels bicentennial quarter 2009-D Puerto Rico quarter (not seen many of the 2009 quarters, so decided to save at least one of each 2009 design)
Here's a short story first. My Wife and I were going to the store, and she gave me 8 Quarters that I just threw in my pocket. Wouldn't you know it, I could tell almost immediately that it was Silver. I could hear a dull ping while they jingled in my pocket. The coin, I mean.