UPDATE: "Completed" 1932-1964 Washington Quarter Toner Date Set (Full Date/MM Set Now Complete)
P0CKETCHANGE
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I began assembling silver WQ toners in 2019, after acquiring a very colorful example for my type set (at the time, my only set). I'm doing the full 83-coin 32-64 date/mm set, which is nearly complete, but I recently realized I now have all 32 dates.
My criteria is simply finding attractive examples that are toned on both sides, ideally as fully and colorfully as possible, although I've made some compromises. The vast majority of the set is MS65-MS67, including all of the date set examples. 47% of the date set coins are CAC-approved.
The coins range from under $50 to $500, with only a single coin (32-D, not in the date set) higher; average cost per coin is $150. My budget is roughly proportional to the weighted coin set value as prescribed by the PCGS set.
I put "completed" in quotes in the title because I'm still actively considering and buying upgrades, my criteria generally being that I like the color & eye appeal better than the existing coin, in at least the same or higher grade.
Here's the CAC Registry link: https://www.cacgrading.com/registry/519/set/1418/leaderboard/22941
And, here's the eye candy 
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Comments
Nicely done with some eye appealing beauties!
Spectacular accomplishment!
For those unaware, the pre-1947 coins and post-1958 coins (along with 1950) can be true bears to find with significant, attractive toning. Of course, any issue can be tough to find with significant and attractive toning, but those years are especially difficult.
In my opinion, the 1935-D has an amazing blush on the obverse, those early 1940s (1941-1943) look like they could have come from mint sets (though none were issued in those years) and the 1953-S and 1954-S have that wonderful, mushy luster that I find quite attractive for these issues. I also think I might have owned that 1947 years ago.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I love the set Eric - CONGRATS on a great collecting endeavor!
Ken
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Nickelodeon
Early Walkers
@TomB Thanks for the insightful comments. The toned quarters in this series that you’ve shown over the years are impressive and set a standard to aspire to.
I was very lucky to find the ‘35-D, it’s a 66+ CAC and is the second most expensive coin in my full set, behind only the ‘32-D. I stretched for a nicer coin than budgeted because this issue is quite scare with attractive toning in any but the highest grades, and I wasn’t sure I’d see another. It also has rainbow toning in a very tight range near the reverse rim. Here’s a closer look:
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Very pretty. Nice work!
Ya gotta love it 😎
what an achievement +++
Very nice set!
Beautiful. Congratulations!
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
Impressive.
Very nicely done, congrats
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
Thank your for this comment! It fortifies my tendency to keep a toned coin as I have been going through my hoard of WQ's as I fill a Dansco book.
I have kept a couple of nice toned coins (to me anyway) from the pile sold for melt value that meet your criteria. Maybe someone will find them "significant and attractive."
Happy to share that I've now completed the full 83-coin 1932-1964 WQ business strike date/mm set. It was six full years from the first purchase to the last, with a lot of time and effort spent scouring for coins online and at shows.
Here are a few interesting stats about the set:
You can view the full set on the Registry platforms below:
—MyCollect
—CAC
I intend to keep selectively upgrading when coins with superior eye appeal and color come along.
Selected images from the set:
The first coin I bought—PCGS MS67
The last coin I bought—PCGS MS64
The key date—PCGS AU58+ CAC; I opted for a lower-graded coin because I wanted this to be a relatively accessible set from the get-go, so I didn't want any 4-figure coins. I got VERY lucky on this one as I randomly found it in a dealer's case at Summer FUN. It has better eye appeal than many of the choice uncirculated examples I've encountered. PCGS Pop in 58+ is just 6 coins. I sent it to CAC and was thrilled it returned with a sticker.
The lowest priced coin—PCGS MS65
A few of my favorite coins in the set:
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Awesome set! When you sell them, the buyer can say he got them from pocket change.
Well done, congrats.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Impressive. I like the approach you took on this series, which I've done myself with the Jefferson nickel. Not much beats a well thought out selection of toners as far as eye appeal is concerned.
This is fantastic! I know I have seen the set in progress previously, and have commented on it before, but this is truly a special collection of coins. I am going to follow your links and check out more pieces. Thank you for the update.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
This is a wonderful tribute to our founding father! If he ever got to look down and see how spiffy he looked in those beautiful colors, he might even give you a rare smile! Beautiful set!
Great accomplishment, I sense the satisfaction, congrats!
This coin stood out as I scanned your set. These are the types of coins worth stretching for. Congratulations on your set progress.
Awesome
So many beauties.
The '48 speaks to me
love it
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Great accomplishment. Congrats on a beautiful group of Washington's. 50 is yelling at me.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Jim, I'm particularly fond of that one, as it's in an OGH that earned CAC approval on one of my submissions. The reverse especially is just wild (and worth a larger shot). I think it's crazy cool.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Yes, no question in my mind. As soon as i saw it, I loved it. Enlargement is just more of the beautiful reverse colors. Thanks.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Awesome! Great work, I've just begun to assemble mine so always awesome seeing other sets completed! The 34-D is a great looking addition!!
Congratulations! It’s always a good feeling to complete a set! I know the amount of time and effort involved. You have some real beauties there.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/