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Key date quarters: which would you buy?

rheddenrhedden Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
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?

Comments

  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    '96 because the design is the coolest of all the options.
  • OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,541 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.
    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • numismanumisma Posts: 3,877 ✭✭✭✭

    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.
  • 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

  • I am with numisma on this one....undervalued
    This is a very dumb ass thread. - Laura Sperber - Tuesday January 09, 2007 11:16 AM image

    Hell, I don't need to exercise.....I get enough just pushing my luck.
  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
    My heart says 1796....my head says to go for the '73-CC.
  • StrikeOutXXXStrikeOutXXX Posts: 3,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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 image

    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.
    ------------------------------------------------------------

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  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've wanted a 1796 quarter for over 30 years.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • claychaserclaychaser Posts: 4,406 ✭✭✭✭
    For you Barber people, how 'bout the 13-S - lowest regular issue mintage non-gold coin in 20th century?


    ==Looking for pre WW2 Commems in PCGS Rattler holders, 1851-O Three Cent Silvers in all grades



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  • rheddenrhedden Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.
  • 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-
    "Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." - William Faulkner
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  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    96 is the sexiest
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • CalGoldCalGold Posts: 2,608 ✭✭
    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
  • MillertimeMillertime Posts: 2,048 ✭✭
    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
  • flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭
    One year types are da bomb. Get the 1796. It's über-sexy.


  • << <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.
  • TheRavenTheRaven Posts: 4,148 ✭✭✭✭
    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.....

    Collection under construction: VG Barber Quarters & Halves
  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,532 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <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!

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would buy a problem free 1804. I think it is scarcer than the 1796! image Must grade VF!
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
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    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • 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. image

    Jonathan
    I have been a collector for over mumbly-five years. I learn something new every day.
  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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 image
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  • jdimmickjdimmick Posts: 9,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    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.
  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭✭
    73-cc as it is the most value opportunity of all four coins and also the most scarce
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,654 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.
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  • MFHMFH Posts: 11,720 ✭✭✭✭
    As my signiture line says:

    image
    Mike Hayes
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
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