Bust quarter nut club?

scubafuel

I think we need one of these. Two great looking reference books are out, the internet makes variety research easy, but there is almost no community or ongoing discussion among collectors of bust quarters. Perhaps I've simply not been invited to join one, but I think it's more likely that collecting bust quarters is just a solitary endeavor most of the time.

Which is a shame, because the collectors I have met are very cool people who are always interested in sharing news, cherrypicking stories, and the R5 variety that just got away on ebay.

So, in this thread I'll be posting new varieties as I get them, in the hopes that fellow BQ nuts will be interested in commenting and sharing theirs. It would be great if everyone who acquires a new variety or an upgrade would post! If nothing else, the thread will provide some interesting eye candy (average time between BQ pic on the forum ~1 week).

How many varieties would it take to be in the BQ nut club? I'm not sure. The half dollar guys want 100 I think, so probably an equivalent for us would be 10

Anyway, here is my latest pickup, a nice 1821 B-4. R-3 variety. Not too hard to find, but has been tough in the mid-grades I like.




What have you found lately?

hchcoin

I'm in. I get BQNC#2 as my membership number right ?

DIMEMAN

Nice Bust Quarter. I would love to do these, but the Dimes keep me broke enough!

123cents

Nice large size 1821 bust quarter!

mozin

The problem is that the Capped Bust Quarters are so much more expensive than the Capped Bust Half Dollars. Who can afford the quarters?

coin22lover

But there are so fewer varieties...

DIMEMAN

How about a Mega Ultimate Complete Bust Coin Set?

Consisting of:

Half Dimes by Valentine

Dimes by JR number

Quarters by Browning

Halves by Overton

scubafuel

They are a bit more expensive, true, but there are fewer varieties. Most capped bust varieties can be had for well under $1000 each in VF, even some of the R-5 ones. Plenty of people seem happy to put other sets together at that price point. There are never more than 9 varieties per date, so you don't have to worry about being a bust half guy and trying to complete the zillion 1827s. Honestly, that would start to get on my nerves… (might get some disagreement here)

The challenge of finding problem-free quarters is much greater than with the halves. While many halves were saved in bank vaults, bust quarters were out on the streets, buying...whatever a quarter bought back then. Finding ones that don't look atrocious is tough. In fact, that may be their achilles heel.

And Hchcoin, BQNC #'s are awarded by order of newp posting, so get cracking! So far there is only one member.

Here is one from 3 weeks ago. 1820 B-4. This is listed as an R-2, but any small 0 1820 is tough it seems. Just look at the proportion of Large and medium 0 quarters offered on ebay vs. the small 0. Huge difference.

Barndog

I'd recommend contacting Glenn Peterson as I believe he does the Bust Quarters Collectors Society or something to that effect

Baley

so far bust quarters collectors have been a part of the JRCS? if there were an association of specialists I'd be interested, I've got a couple rolls of 1805-1828 varieties

here's a recent purchase before being cracked out for the raw set

1TwoBits

scubafuel....

Barndog is absolutely correct. Dr. Glenn Peterson is president of the JRCS subgroup BQCS (Bust Quarter Collectors Society). All you need to do in order to be a part of the group is be a member of JRCS. To let Glenn know you want to be a BQCS member, you would just need to contact him at gpeters@tds.net and let him know.

When the group first got started, there was a list service where you could post information or questions about bust quarters and all the members of the group would instantaneously receive the emails and be able to post replies or new topics. That service doesn't work any longer and members usually post (and are encouraged to) under the weekly "JR Newsletter" where all JRCS members can see and reply to postings.

BQCS holds a yearly meeting at the summer ANA World's Fair of Money convention, which always includes a presentation and group discussion about early bust quarters. This meeting also includes talking about what bust quarter variety will be included for study at the yearly EAC/JRCS convention early silver "Happenings." At this "Happening," members are encouraged to bring along their example(s) of the year's variety to be laid out on a table with those of other members so they can all be viewed/studied together. This year's EAC/JRCS convention takes place May 1-4 in Colorado Springs (this week). The "Happenings" take place Thursday evening May 1st, and this year's selected bust quarter variety is the 1818 B-9. This was mentioned under the Editor's Comments in the recent April edition of the John Reich Journal Vol. 24 / Issue 1, where the varieties of the other early silver denominations for the "Happenings" were also mentioned.

If you or any other Forum members are not already JRCS members, I would encourage you to join and then contact Glenn about signing up for BQCS if you wish to do so. Unlike the Bust Half Nut Club, you don't need to own any prerequisite # of bust quarter varieties to join BQCS.

1TwoBits

1TwoBits

Here is a recent addition of mine. 1836 B-3, but very early die state without lots of die cracks that are more commonly found on this variety:



1TwoBits

yosclimber

<< <i>How about a Mega Ultimate Complete Bust Coin Set?

Consisting of:

Half Dimes by Valentine
... >>


If you want it Mega Complete, best to use Half Dimes by LM number.
Otherwise several that Valentine didn't list wouldn't be included.

EVillageProwler

For all CB varieties, all denominations, didn't Russ Logan accomplish that feat?

MrHalfDime

"For all CB varieties, all denominations, didn't Russ Logan accomplish that feat?"

He came very close, but was missing a few. His collection can be seen here. Jules Reiver was also nearly complete, all die marriages, all denominations.

Eagleguy

Nice coin in the OP! Also like the 1820. I'm partial to that date.

JH

scubafuel

Thanks 1twobits, I'll look into re-joining JRCS. I was a member for a while, but it was tough to wait for the journal and hope that there might be a quarter article within.
The articles were well-researched and interesting, but because they're not online I could not search through them, or comment on them. I'd love to see subscriptions to a JRCS website which houses all the journals and has a forum. Talk about a forum worth paying up for!

As it is, the weekly email group is fun, but extremely sparse (I've never posted anything there, so I am part of the problem). It does not allow for much give-and-take, or easy picture viewing, so I prefer the forums.

I'm not sure if there is any chance of the JRCS group become more internet-focused, but I think it would be a boost for membership and interest. It would also save on printing.

EastonCollection

I have been collecting bust coinage for well over 10 years - mostly dimes, half dimes and quarters. My recommendation is to join JRCS and read those journals. Also, attending the JRCS meetings at the major shows, then you will develop relationships with other members and you knowledge about coins will be enhanced. For example, at one meeting, I discussed the 1827 JR-10 dime with several members on how it became a rarity with authors of the Early Dime Book and others knowledgeable folks. Its fascinating to deal with members that have studied particular coins and share their knowledge.

shorecoll

I think the quarter club meets in the coat closet at the JRCS meeting.

Just kidding, sheesh!!!

MrHalfDime

"I'm not sure if there is any chance of the JRCS group become more internet-focused, but I think it would be a boost for membership and interest. It would also save on printing. I'd love to see subscriptions to a JRCS website which houses all the journals and has a forum. Talk about a forum worth paying up for!"

Your comments are important, and I will certainly bring them up at the JRCS Board of Directors meeting in August, at the summer ANA in Chicago. There are many ideas which could potentially improve organizations like the JRCS. The problem is finding interested and dedicated members such as yourself who will take up the ball and run with it. Each time you make a suggestion as to how an organization could improve, ask yourself "Would I be interested in working to implement that idea?". Please do rejoin the JRCS, and then focus your obvious interest in working with others toward seeing your idea become a reality. Our organization has no paid positions; we are 'staffed' entirely by volunteers, and would welcome your input.

If you would like to re-join the JRCS, just go to the JRCS website, click on the "Membership" botton, and then the "Membership Application" button. Fill out the application, print it out, and mail it with a check for $25.00 (one year's dues) to:

Stephen A. Crain - Secretary
John Reich Collectors Society
P. O. Box 1680
Windham, ME 04062

For the record, the Bust Quarter Collectors Society always has an annual meeting at the summer ANA, headed by its leader, Dr. Glenn Peterson. I don't recall that we have ever met in the coat closet, but the room is really not important; it is the subject matter discussed that is important. There is always an interesting presentation on the subject of Bust quarters, and it is attended by many collectors like yourself who are interested in the early quarters. You do not need to be a member to attend, so please do plan to attend if you are going to be at the summer ANA.

scubafuel

Thanks MrHalfDime.

Truly there is nothing worse than a man with big ideas that he wants other people to implement My check is on the way, so we can start there.

I definitely never intended this thread to sound like a complaint. It was more a desire to have a place to go to post the bust quarter collecting updates that are not interesting or well-researched enough to make it to the journal or weekly email. We'll see if that comes to pass, but I hope it will.

In fact, if we ever do get to 50 bust quarter newps posted in this thread, I'll give away an R4 or better bust quarter to a randomly selected newp poster. Not guaranteed to be pretty, necessarily, but hopefully the winner will be happy with the price. Plus I have a feeling that this contest will take so long that whatever I choose won't be R4 anymore by the time
the giveaway happens

The only condition for entry is that it has to be a coin you acquired in 2014 or later. Of course, only you can know this, but nobody wants to win a cursed bust quarter, right?

Matt

EastonCollection

Scubafuel - this week in Colorado springs the lucky JRCS and EAC members are getting together for the annual convention. They are discussing the 1818 B-9 quarter with and without the clash marks. In addition, the JRCS will be discussing other bust coinage i.e. 1824/2 dime. If you are fascinated by bust coinage then you should try to attend. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend this week but I really wanted. If my memory serve correctly, the I got my 18 B-9 from you?

Eagleguy

<< <i>Truly there is nothing worse than a man with big ideas that he wants other people to implement >>



THIS! You just perfectly described my boss, LOL!

I have a new bust quarter purchase that I haven't had a chance to photograph yet. I'll have to get on that.

JH

MrHalfDime

"My check is on the way, so we can start there."