Quarter Eagles: 1880-1895

cameron12x · January 6, 2013 10:02PM

Despite VERY low mintages for most of the years in this date range, there does not seem to be much numismatic interest for these coins? (Seemingly very low prices.)

Why is this?

RYK · January 6, 2013 10:34PM

My first gold coin, purchased when I was 12 years old in 1977, was an AU 1890 quarter eagle for $175. I was attracted to it, in part, because of its low mintage. These and many of the dates in your range are readily available as they were saved in quantity and in uncirculated condition, and there are not enough date collectors of the entire Liberty QE series to put any pressure on the supply. That said, it would be an interesting "Box of 20" or so to assemble the date run.

BillJones · January 6, 2013 10:38PM

These coins are fairly scarce. I know that because when I was dealer a collector gave me a want list, I could not fill it despite the fact that I had seen some of the coins offered at an earlier date. The trouble is not many people are trying to do date and mint sets on a series that runs from 1840 to 1907 with some super rare coins in-between.

There is also the glamour factor. I'll admit that I bought an 1848 CAL $2.50 because it has a neat story in addition to being quite scarce (a little over 200 examples known). Some of the other dates that might be almost or as rare are just dime sized coins with a date on them. Many collectors don't find that particularly exciting. "Bigger is better" has always played a role in which in American coins have a big following, and which ones don't.

steveben · January 7, 2013 5:21AM

if you like them, collect them. I have a toned 1893 that is ms64+, and it's one of my most beautiful coins.

fc · January 7, 2013 5:38AM

I will not pile on with what other people said so I will try a different approach.

They all bloody look the same except for a possible mint mark, date, and strike.

It really gets old after a while having a dozen gold pieces spread out on a table
and realizing if you have seen one you have basically seen them all. And since
you are paying quite a bit of money for each one in a reasonable grade you really
come, after a while, to expect more out of the purchase in the way of interest
for each coin. But it doesn't work that way at all.

What ends up happening, if you cannot afford higher MS, is that you will find
faults with poorer purchases, compare them to the rest and find favorites while
the others barely get a glance anymore.

It can be a depressing way to enjoy the hobby. While you watch other people
build type sets, buy awesome coins with no clear goal in mind, etc... here you
are plugging away at a set that is long, expensive, not a huge amount of people
interested in it, varieties that get 0 respect, and trying to chase down the next
cookie cutter example that is not that much different then the rest, not a ton of
upside which can be a pleasant surprise, hard to get out of again at what you
paid in many cases, etc..

oi. it is why I stopped buying half eagles after the ?30th? or so coin.

RYK · January 7, 2013 6:30AM

I do not agree with fc. I think that set building can be daunting and expensive, but the end result is often very interesting and impressive. It takes a collector with certain disposition with patience and determination--and it's not me! One of the most impressive sets I have ever seen was a complete album set of Liberty Seated Quarters, most in XF-AU and up condition. It was amazing to behold, especially in this day and age, where slab and registry sets are king.

fc · January 7, 2013 6:42AM

<< <i>I do not agree with fc. I think that set building can be daunting and expensive, but the end result is often very interesting and impressive. It takes a collector with certain disposition with patience and determination--and it's not me! One of the most impressive sets I have ever seen was a complete album set of Liberty Seated Quarters, most in XF-AU and up condition. It was amazing to behold, especially in this day and age, where slab and registry sets are king. >>

Naturally a complete set is impressive. I do not think anyone here would debate that as anything but a fact!

But if one has the money to accomplish this task from day one I can see how the main worry of
cost would be alleviated. What does it take to do a Lib Seated Quarter set in 40-55? Half a million dollars?
All of a sudden deciding to collect a long and expensive series, the main worry, is gone. poof! Have fun.

So the main category of person who can even decide on such a task is a wealthy collector in the upper ?5%?
of all coin collectors. I have to wonder if that is actually 1% or less of all collectors.

So one better analyze the set they are attempting and decide if it fits your 5 to 20 year budget. One better
determine if there are coins you cannot buy for almost any price due to them being non-available. One has
to decide if they are in the right point of their life to even attempt it.

So that is why I took the approach I did to explain why quarter eagles from that era languish compared to
other coins in popularity and demand. It can be darn depressing to even consider doing it and most who attempt
it will find out it was literally the bridge to far. It will be a huge battle!

GoldenEyeNumismatics · January 7, 2013 6:57AM

<< <i>My first gold coin, purchased when I was 12 years old in 1977, was an AU 1890 quarter eagle for $175. >>

Ouch!

Billet7 · January 7, 2013 9:04AM

<< <i>I do not agree with fc. I think that set building can be daunting and expensive, but the end result is often very interesting and impressive. It takes a collector with certain disposition with patience and determination--and it's not me! One of the most impressive sets I have ever seen was a complete album set of Liberty Seated Quarters, most in XF-AU and up condition. It was amazing to behold, especially in this day and age, where slab and registry sets are king. >>

I believe I would pay money to see such a collection.

OnlyGoldIsMoney · January 10, 2013 1:37AM

<< <i>Despite VERY low mintages for most of the years in this date range, there does not seem to be much numismatic interest for these coins? (Seemingly very low prices.)

Why is this? >>

Cameron12x, lack of interest in a long unpopular series explains the prices.

I suggest differentiating 1886-1895 from 1880-1885. 1886-1895 examples are readily available and you can assemble a MS63 set with a checkbook and a bit of looking. The mintages are typically sub 20,000 but the surviving populations into mint state are ample. 1880-1885 coins are tougher to assemble. The 1881 and 1885 are popular sub-1000 mintage coins. Only the 1882 is easy to find - original 1883 examples are hard to find.

IMO a far more interesting run of $2.50's is 1862 to 1877. You will find Civil War issues, classic rarities, low mintages, and modest prices for coins with PCGS pops of 50 or less. Finding original examples takes some patience.

Quarter Eagles: 1880-1895

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