Key date quarters: which would you buy?

rhedden

You are at a hypothetical coin show, and your favorite dealer has just offered you four key quarters: a 1796 in strong Good-4; an 1873-CC Arrows Seated 25c in F-12; a 1901-S in VG-10; and a 1916 Standing Liberty in EF-40. All are attractive for their respective grades, and after reviewing current pricing data, you and the dealer agree that all four have a current fair market value of $11,000, his asking price.

Assume you have the money to buy only one, which one would you buy, and why?

Cladiator

'96 because the design is the coolest of all the options.

OKbustchaser

Although I started to say pass (they ARE all overvalued, IMO) I decided that I would bite the bullet and get the 1796 to complete my quarter types.

DennisH

1796... because it will always be the first quarter so has an appeal to people who don't collect quarters. Its colonial origin and history also mean it has a lure for people who don't collect coins at all.

numisma

I am an early type guy and the 1796 quarter is one of my favorite coins. However, I have to go with the 73-CC in F-12. This is the most egregiously undervalued coin you listed above, assuming it is a problem-free F-12.

lathmach

I would buy the 1873CC Liberty Seated Quarter in a heartbeat. I've only owned one in my life, and foolishly returned it to the dealer because of the condition.
I believe this is a rarer coin than the 1870CC quarter.

Ray

eyoung429

I am with numisma on this one....undervalued

ziggy29

My heart says 1796....my head says to go for the '73-CC.

StrikeOutXXX

With this and the dime question, I'm starting to think you have $11k burning a hole in your pocket just waiting to find a home

Me personally, I'd get the 73CC.

I can't help but wonder though in the next 25 or so years which series will pick up a larger % of collectors and drive the prices up faster though. I want to think the SLQ will gain in popularity as that is what a lot of the younger people can afford now, and as they get older, they will want to complete the set. I don't know too many teens/young adults collecting bust quarters though.

Baley

I've wanted a 1796 quarter for over 30 years.

claychaser

For you Barber people, how 'bout the 13-S - lowest regular issue mintage non-gold coin in 20th century?

rhedden

I voted for the 1873-CC Seated quarter myself. Rarity is the primary factor I consider when choosing coins for purchase. I don't care what series is popular with other people at any given time. I do avoid things that I think are overvalued, though, so the 1916 Standing Liberty would finish in last place by my estimation.

KurtHorn

I voted for the 73-CC due to rarity. I was tempted to say the 16 SLQ or 01-S though since general collector demand is probably stronger for those series.

-Kurt-

mgoodm3

96 is the sexiest

CalGold

THe 1796. Early bust coins retain their charm in lower grades the others types do not. And its a must for a type set, none of the others are. The73-cc offer the most "value" in the sense of rarity for te dollar but is a more esoteric coin.

CG

Millertime

I'd select the 1796 quarter because it's so early in our history. The '73 CC would be my 2nd choice because of the western theme.

Millertime

flaminio

One year types are da bomb. Get the 1796. It's über-sexy.

Barberman55

<< <i>For you Barber people, how 'bout the 13-S - lowest regular issue mintage non-gold coin in 20th century? >>




Not a bad choice.......for that kind of money you could find a lower mint state, 13-S quarter. Personally, and for substantially less money, I would prefer a nice XF or AU 13-S over a lower mint state, 13-S. The pops are extremely low for NGC and PCGS graded XF/AU 1913-S Barber quarters.

Since I collect Barber quarters and halves, I'll have to go with the 01-S in VG-10.

TheRaven

Since I collect VG Barber Quarters I picked the 1901-S, but it was really close in comparison to the 1796.....

The 1916 was last on the list by far.....

RichieURich

<< <i>I would buy the 1873CC Liberty Seated Quarter in a heartbeat. I've only owned one in my life, and foolishly returned it to the dealer because of the condition.
I believe this is a rarer coin than the 1870CC quarter.

Ray >>



An 1873-CC quarter in problem-free Fine-12 is a really rare coin, much rarer than the others, so that's the one I would buy assuming that I had the money available. In any condition, I think it is slightly rarer than the 1870-CC quarter; in problem-free condition it is a lot rarer IMO.

Thanks, Rhedden, for adding some of the earlier coins to these questions, makes it more fun!

bidask

I would buy a problem free 1804. I think it is scarcer than the 1796! Must grade VF!

AlixTCat

It would be easier to decide if you had images of each coin. I would not know what any of them even look like without images.

Jonathan

lkenefic

If I was a hardcore quarter collector I'd say the '73CC... but I'm a type collector... so I went with the 1796. That and the allure of 18th century coinage

jdimmick

First,

Right now I would pass on the 16 SLQ as it is overpriced as well as readily available. The 01-s quarter in Vg-10 is a bit tougher, but more have come available recently due to the higher price. IMO, in this grade, they are getting top heavy price wise.

The 1796 I have never owned, and I like a great deal, but more available than one would assume, and IMO currently priced too strong. The first year type demand drove the price up, but available for a price at most major auctions.

The 73-cc quarter hands down is the one I would pick, one I dont own one, and secondly a great type coin and popular CC. Very tough coin in problem free condition. I am not sure if its tougher than the 70-cc and 71-cc across the board IMO, as it varies depending on the grade range you are reffering too.

jim

STONE

I must say that I would guess most people would go for the 1796. Heck that's what I would go for 2 out of 3 times, but not in this situation.

I went w/ the 1873-CC because I know that this coin rarely comes to market compared w/ the 1796. I know both seldom come to market, but man, the 1873-CC is just one of those coins that is underappreciated. Really, I think both are underappreciated, but the 73-CC has my vote this time.

michael

73-cc as it is the most value opportunity of all four coins and also the most scarce

Elcontador

I'm with Michael on this one. I've seen fewer 73 CCs available of the four choices available. While the 16 SLQ has a small mintage at 52,000 minted, they are always readily available, so I wouldn't consider it rare.

MFH

As my signiture line says: