Are early quarters getting more popular?

Dennis88

Or is it just me? I see more interest in the early quarters lately then over the last few years. With the early Half Dollars being immensely popular, I always considered this to be soemthing you really had to be devoted to. But now, with 2 new books standing on the corner and waiting for the light of day, are these little sisters finally getting some more attention?

Personally, I have never collected them and never really considered to collect them, as with all the early coinage except copper. Liberty Seated goes for me....all the way.

Dennis

robkool

I think so... Besides, I think they are more rarer than your bust dimes, or halves... All are potential sleepers.

Bear

Yes they are hot and getting hotter. Compared to the half dollars

they are in very short supply and getting shorter by the day. That

is why I stretched, to get one in the Heritage Sale.

RichieURich

Most definitely. There is a lot more competition for the real good ones (high grades and/or rare varieties).

STONE

I won't tell


BUT, I personally think they are gaining steam and unfortunately, if numismatic specuators are correct in assuming the market has peaked, these coins will only move up slightly in price and not the wave of other series in the past 5-8 years.

I think the biggest problem is that a notable collection of Bust Quarters has not come to auction within that time frame, and thus prices are still lingering.

Quarternut

There was a collection of note containing a major portion of Bust Quarters that crossed the block in early 2006...The Jules Reiver collection.

Prices were astronomical compared to what they had been before that sale.

Some of the more rare items such as die marriages, die stages and condition census coins have increased even further since that sale.

Another complete collection came on the market this spring, although not at auction, and the prices for even the "common" dates and marriages were quite steep.

A new book on the series will only increase the interest and with so few coins available, now the prices may increase even further!

Certainly collectors wish for less competition to keep prices down so more coins can be bought, but wish the opposite when the time comes to sell.

If you want any Bust Quarters you better hurry up and get em!

STONE

My bad! The Jules Reiver collection was definitely notable in its expanse, therefore I apologize about saying that no single collection came to market.

What I was more referring to was one collection singley focused on Bust Quarters.

The Reiver collection had more than just the quarters, which was probably why my thinking became dilluted away from his collection.

RichieURich

<< <i>My bad! The Jules Reiver collection was definitely notable in its expanse, therefore I apologize about saying that no single collection came to market.

What I was more referring to was one collection singley focused on Bust Quarters.

The Reiver collection had more than just the quarters, which was probably why my thinking became dilluted away from his collection. >>



Three of the top four collections of Bust Quarters by die variety were sold since early 2006. Jules Reiver I believe had 93 of the 96 varieties, the late Charlton Meyer's collection was recently sold and contained all 96 varieties, and my auction included 91 of the 96 varieties. There is a set containing 92 varieties that has not been sold and is in the hands of its happy owner. I estimate that there are 30 to 50 collectors of Bust Quarters by variety, so 3 of the top 4 sets being sold over the last 2 1/2 years is significant.

STONE

Looks like I am more out of touch on this series than I thought

My meager date set I am working on now seems like chump-change in retrospect to those previous collections.

I am still eagerly awaiting to printing of the new Bust Quarter books, they should do wonders for this series.


EDITED TO ADD: Discussion like this, relative to the last couple of months, will likely bring more attention to this series and begin to drive up prices.
This was the same thing that happened recently with the Matte Proof Lincolns, except now there are at least two books being published on the Quarters and I don't think anything on the Cents.

Broadstruck

Pre 1830's in AU50 and up that are unmolested require paitience!!!

Sunnywood

One had only to see the incredible prices realized for the Kaufman early proof seated quarters to know that something is afoot ... yes, there is intense interest in the entire quarter series, most likely as a longer-term result of the state quarters program. It is evident from bust through Barber, which all needed to play catch-up (in relative terms) to SLQ's and Washingtons, which were already fetching high numbers relative to their rarity.

There is also the phenomenon of working down the denomination ladder ... after bust, seated and trade dollars skyrocketed, next in line were the halves; and now it's time for the quarters.

Best,
Sunnywood

Barndog

<< <i>One had only to see the incredible prices realized for the Kaufman early proof seated quarters to know that something is afoot ... yes, there is intense interest in the entire quarter series, most likely as a longer-term result of the state quarters program. It is evident from bust through Barber, which all needed to play catch-up (in relative terms) to SLQ's and Washingtons, which were already fetching high numbers relative to their rarity.

There is also the phenomenon of working down the denomination ladder ... after bust, seated and trade dollars skyrocketed, next in line were the halves; and now it's time for the quarters.

Best,
Sunnywood >>




excellent, I still have time to buy a few half dimes

Barndog

<< <i>Looks like I am more out of touch on this series than I thought

My meager date set I am working on now seems like chump-change in retrospect to those previous collections.

I am still eagerly awaiting to printing of the new Bust Quarter books, they should do wonders for this series.


EDITED TO ADD: Discussion like this, relative to the last couple of months, will likely bring more attention to this series and begin to drive up prices.
This was the same thing that happened recently with the Matte Proof Lincolns, except now there are at least two books being published on the Quarters and I don't think anything on the Cents. >>



I just bought my one and only large size quarter (AU), paid big $ for it (to me it was big $ at least), and am happy that I got it before it became completely unaffordable for me

STONE

I agree with Sunnywood's assessment that the $$$ trends seem to start at the top denominatins and generally work their way down.
There are those couple of other series' that seem to have gained their fair share of attention lately (MPL's, Large Cent's, and now likely Half Cent's)

I'm also predicting that if the market is beginning to top off, we will see a recession in prices of the popular series' and a BIG boost in the less popular series'.
The less popular series' being the: Half Cents (likely starting now), Odd Denomination (2c, 3c, 20c), Bust Quarters, and Seated Material (which has already seemed to start).

This is just my prediction, and I can look back in a year or two and see how it turned out!

doh

SHHHH!!!! Don't let the secret out!!! They're awesome coins are that are really, really tough!

STONE

doh, I think the cat's already been out of the bag. I think its more a matter of priority why Bust Quarters haven't caught on.

Collectors are too focused on their other collections, which they have been working on for many years, and starting bust quarters isn't in their cards right now.

I do know that those individuals collecting the quarters now will be happy with it, as an investment (intentional or unintenional), in the future.

doh

I agree, Stone. The cat's probably out, but we don't people shouting it from the rooftops!! I have a few Bust Quarters and am always looking for others...they're getting awfully tough to find unmolested. I think DBQs and CBQs are two series where "throw out the price guides" truly applies.

Fletcher

I would not recommend buying ANY early quarters right now. In fact, if you should happen to see any in your travels, I suggest that you notify me immediately so that I can dispose of them properly

STONE

Fletcher, I knew when I saw that you replied to this thread that you would say something like that

I also figured you would show off those gorgeous Bustie 25's and make many of us jealous

Fletcher

<< <i>Fletcher, I knew when I saw that you replied to this thread that you would say something like that

I also figured you would show off those gorgeous Bustie 25's and make many of us jealous >>





In all honesty, last year I decided to put together a complete set of original DB quarters in AU. I mean, how hard could it be? There are only 6 of them and I started out with a great key! Well, I got two right out of the gate and almost one year later I still have only two. You just can't find nice examples ANYWHERE and if you happen to stumble across one, you better whip out your checkbook before you set the coin back down on the glass or it will be gone ...

... if there is one date in the series that I see with more frequency than the others it is the 1806. I just haven't found the right one yet.

Quarternut

Pre 1830's in AU50 and up that are unmolested require paitience!!!

Say it again Brother!

Even the small size coins are very challenging. Although you can buy a nice unmolested 1831-1838 every now and then, those found are concentrated in a very few common marriages. Just doing a date run in AU-UNC takes tremendous patience.

QN

Quarternut

In all honesty, last year I decided to put together a complete set of original DB quarters in AU. I mean, how hard could it be? There are only 6 of them and I started out with a great key! Well, I got two right out of the gate and almost one year later I still have only two. You just can't find nice examples ANYWHERE and if you happen to stumble across one, you better whip out your checkbook before you set the coin back down on the glass or it will be gone ...

I have been working on all of the DB die marriages in EF-AU for over 7 years and still have 3 marriages (out of 10) of 1806 to get and 2 marriages of 1805 (out of 5). (I have all of the marriages but need to upgrade the ones stated)

I was thoroughly trounced in the last 2 auctions I bid in! I have had other opportunities, but as the prices have increased, the ability to come up with funds when the opportunity arises don't always mesh.

QN

Broadstruck

<< <i>Pre 1830's in AU50 and up that are unmolested require paitience!!!

Say it again Brother!

Even the small size coins are very challenging. Although you can buy a nice unmolested 1831-1838 every now and then, those found are concentrated in a very few common marriages. Just doing a date run in AU-UNC takes tremendous patience.

QN >>



I hate to slam a grading service on a whole series but there's a LOT of garbage on these up to the late 1830's in XF45-AU58 NGC holders.