This is going to cause some complications for me. From the way I take it, there will be 2 different versions of the 2005 coinage. So it would seem I can't use the mint set coins anymore for my state quarter collection as they would be different from business strikes. I guess I'll have to buy expensive business strike coins on eBay to fill in the holes. I want my quarter collection to be uniform and not have any varieties. What is your take? Also, does this mean that either the satin finish or business strike coins will be worth more than the other? I think this should have been started at the beginning of the series rather than partway through. David
To be technical, there will be four version of 'silver' U.S. coins: Proof, Silver Proof, Mint Set coins (satin finish), and business strikes. If you want to keep you collection 'uniform' you will have to go to e-bay and bid or to your bank and buy rolls. I agree that the change should have been at some other time (begining of the century, begining of quarters, etc) but the Mint realized that they have yet another way of making money. Now they can sell business strike quarters, mint sets, proof sets, and silver proof sets and they will all be put away and saved. And the Mint will continue to make more money than Bill Gates. Just my opinion.
Except for the new quarters this will only cost most collectors an extra sixty six cents per year for the regular issues, or perhaps $16.95 for the mint set. Add $2.50 for the quarters. The real problem for many collectors will be finding nice quality regular issues. Many people don't have access to some of them and even the mint doesn't sell dimes and cents. There are big opportunities too in that now there will be more people looking at the regular issues and more varieties will be found. Those who are lucky might find themselves at the center of a release point for gems or a good variety. This could be a very good thing for the hobby but it doesn't really need to be expensive. I just hope the quality improvements in the mint set coins are widespread and they aren't all banged up or poorly struck.
I've been checking around on eBay for some dealers that sell state quarters. I'm not saying the new finish won't be nice, but rather I just want some uniformity with what I already have. I personally feel the mint sets shouldn't be changed. They should be examples of circulating coinage, not another type of coin. David
David. Are there any coin shows or dealers near you? The quarters are always readily available at these places and for a lot less than you'll pay on ebay I would think. That way you can also SEE what you are actually buying.
The local dealer is just out for himself. He won't deal in moderns. I went in there one day all he has are older coins. Also he said he doesn't deal in moderns. I'm not in a metropolitan area so coin shows aren't an option. David
Does anyone know for sure, exactly what type of finish the Silver Proof sets will have? There is speculation out there that it will be the satin finish.
