Maybe you have worked to accumulate all one hundred of the shiney, new state quarters, a D and a P mintmark for each state, each resting in its proper niche in the State Quarters Album. . . thinking, “Maybe in 20, 30, or even 50 years I will have a nice valuable collection for my children or grandchildren.” Does this describe you?
Putting together a collection of anything is a lot of fun. Waiting for the latest quarter to come out, watching for it in change, and plugging holes in albums are all gratifying. And, the State Quarters program was a great “gateway” into coin collecting, bringing many kids and adults into this neat hobby. But, what will the value of that state quarter collection be in 50 years?
Not much, I’m predicting. Why? There are two keys to making a coin valuable. Those keys are “rarity” and “condition.”
Take, for example, the 2004 Texas quarters. Did you realize that there were 278 million of the Philadelphia mint quarters made, while there were 263 million of the Denver quarters minted? These will never be rare because so many were minted. Imagine for a minute there were 263 million Rolls Royse cars made in 2004; there would be a glut of them on the market and none would be worth the super premium price they bring when the supply is low.Condition refers to how a coin appears to the eye. Generally, new coins have great eye appeal, being undamaged and having a lustrous finish. To find a coin from a hundred years ago that looks like it just came from the mint is exciting. Part of that reason is because of its condition; the newer an older coin looks, the more it is worth. Finding a rare coin in a looks-brand-new shape is a thrill to any coin collector. However, NEVER clean your coins. Natural surfaces are important, and cleaning a coin harms that original surface.
We don’t want to diminish anyone’s joy in collecting a set of inexpensive, common coins. It takes stick-to-it-iveness and time to complete any set. Instead, maybe you can hone your skills on collecting more rare coins, for the joy of collecting and maybe—just maybe—leaving something of value behind some day. Attend a meeting to take that next step to coin collecting satisfaction. The Brown County Coin Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month, at 6:30 pm, at the Austin Avenue Church of Christ. Meetings provide a great opportunity to learn all about coin collecting. There’s probably at least one club member who shares an interest with you and would guide you in the basics. Get involved in coin collecting!
On Saturday, December 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the club will be hosting another free opportunity for the community to get acquainted with us, to have your coins evaluated, and to buy and sell a few coins. We will be in Heartland Mall, down the store wing that is nearest the movie theatre. Come out and visit with us; maybe you have a valuable coin or two in your personal stash!
I encourage you to come visit our club meetings. The Brown County Coin Club will meet on Tuesday, December 11, at 6:30 at the Austin Avenue Church of Christ. Come in the side door through the children’s play area, on the west side of the building. For more information, contact Bill Cooper at 325-642-2128 or Bob Turner at 325-217-4129 or through my website, PrincipallyCoins.com.
