Collect US Coins.net

Draped Bust Large Cent

meridint — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:22:45 +0000

The designer of the Draped Bust large cent coin was Robert Scot who modeled the lady liberty on the face from a drawing by Gilbert Stuart. The Draped Bust large cent coin was minted from 1797 – 1807. This lady liberty presented a more youthful and feminine appearance than those preceding her with a softer face, a ribbon in her hair and a decorously draped bosom.

The Draped Bust large cent coin features the word Liberty above the Lady’s head and the date below. The reverse side is a wreath comprised of two olive branches that encircle the edge of the coin with the words United States of America surrounding the outer edge of the wreath. This was the smallest denomination coin of that era and over 16 million Draped Bust cents were struck between 1797 and 1807.

1803 Draped Bust Large Cent Small Date Large Fraction
US $349.95

1798 US Draped Bust Large Cent About Good AG
US $25.00

1802 US Draped Bust Large Cent Good Condition
US $40.00

1803 DRAPED BUST LARGE CENT RARE SM DATE BLUNT 1
US $350.00

J4660] 1802 DRAPED BUST LARGE CENT AG
US $30.00

1803 Draped Bust Large Cent Big Penny US Coin
US $19.99

1800 DRAPED BUST S203 R3 VERY FINE DECENT NATURAL COLOR
US $495.00

1805 UNITED STATES LARGE CENT DRAPED BUST NO RESERVE
US $8.01

Due to underfunding of the mint, the high cost of copper, and the lack of training for mint employees, the Draped Bust large cent is a coin in which errors were frequent. Such errors as LIHERTY instead of LIBERTY, 1/1000 instead of 1/100 and INITIED instead of UNITED occurred. In many cases, the cost to make the coin was more than its value. All large cent coins were struck at Philadelphia and bear no mintmark.

Despite the growing pains of the US Mint, the coins of that era were useful and hard used. It is rare to find a Draped Bust cent in good condition, much less fine and the prices do jump even for a moderate increase in condition. The majority of copper coins from the Large Cent era survive in extremely worn condition with some years inexplicably (in some cases explicably due to low mintage numbers) rarer than other years.

A collector should be able to locate a Draped Bust coin with no problem. The problem will arise in locating one in better than average condition and that doesn’t mean good condition, but one where the features are still clear on the Lady Liberty bust would be better than average. As mentioned before, these coins were well used and passed through many hands during their circulation life. The 1797 and 1798 years are probably the most frequently Draped Bust large cent coins encountered.

One cannot discuss the Draped Bust large cent without mentioning the rare years including the 1799 Draped Bust large cent coin, which had only 42,540 coins minted in that year, and of those very, few have survived. There is a legend that the scarcity of the coins was due to a shipwreck carrying several thousand of the coins to Africa for trade purposes, but even so, the vast majority of these coins of this year are simply gone.

Value is in the eye of the beholder, or so it is said, and with the Draped Bust large cent, coin value is in the year and the condition. A fair estimate of a coin in Good condition from 1797 is around $130.00 while one of the more common Draped Bust large cent copper coins from 1798 is around $90.00 in the same condition. However if one were to locate a very common dated Draped Bust large cent coin in extra fine condition the value would increase to around 6 times that much. Of course, common dates naturally go for less but the Draped Bust large cent coin is an uncommon piece of history and the better preserved this hard used piece of history is the more valuable it is and will be.

Classic Head Large Cent

meridint — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:20:16 +0000

The Classic Head large cent coin was an innovation in design, or at least a change introduced by the new US Mint Director, Robert Patterson that was minted from 1808 -1814. Up until that time, all coins bore designs by Chief Engraver Robert Scot. The new US Mint Director changed all of the designs on all of the coins, perhaps feeling the current designs lacking in some fashion. While Robert Patterson was apparently unimpressed by the work of Robert Scot, the coin collectors of the time (and sometimes today) were equally unimpressed with Robert Patterson’s changes and this new vision by John Reich of Lady Liberty.

One result of these changes was a new Miss Liberty head that became known as the Classic Head large cent coin. Rather than the younger and more feminine bust of prior large cent coins this lady looked a bit on the heavy side, her hair was tightly curled and confined in a headband bearing the LIBERTY stamp. In fact in many eyes it was not considered an improvement over the earlier busts and was immediately nicknamed “The Blowsy Barmaid Bust”. The Classic large cent coin bore this somewhat ignominious nickname until the mid 1800s when it was nicknamed the “Classic Head large cent” coin by a collector because of the classic style headband.

1813 Tough Date Classic Head Large Cent Nice Coin
US $795.00

20 Classic Head One Cent Pieces E1
US $84.11

1814 Plain 4 Classic Head Large Cent Nice Coin 1
US $550.00

XF 1827 CLASSIC HEAD LARGE CENT CORRODED NR
US $33.55

1813 VF Classic Head Large Cent
US $695.00

20 Classic Head One Cent Pieces E63
US $41.11

1810 CLASSIC HEAD LG CENT NICE COIN
US $33.15

1814 Classic Head Large Cent S 295 Plain 4 VF
US $69.85

There are not any particularly rare years for collectors of the Classic Head cent though there was a roller coaster where one year’s mintage might reach over 1 million and the next barely 250,000 coins. 4,757,722 Classic Head large cent coins were minted over the 6 years of its life. The copper of this particular large cent coin appears to be of lower quality and it is frequently found pitted and corroded in coins from this series. Coins considered in very good condition are not considered rare in the large cent series but a coin of the Classic Head large cent series lacking significant corrosion, good color and with decent detail is an excellent find.

Just as vintage wines have “very good years” so do coins, and although commonly seen, the Classic Head large cent struck in 1814 are considered a very good year. These seem to have sharper detail and some coins have the desirable touch of mint red to them. Some collectors prefer to focus on this year due to the decent detail and marginally better surface texture. Red brown coins of this era have a little more value to collectors than brown and red of course is desirable. Brown and blackened coins from the Classic Head cent series are very common.

Though color and surface texture play a large part in this series (probably due to low grade copper) so does detail and a Classic Head large cent with the LIBERTY in readable condition, The leaves of the wreath still detailed on the obverse side is cause for excitement.

The Classic Head large cent coin may not have been the most beautiful of the Liberty designs however; she is a piece of history that can be obtained at a reasonable price relatively easily by the collector.

Matron Head Large Cent

meridint — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:16:52 +0000

The Matron Head large cent coin goes by several names though many collectors prefer the term Matron Head or Coronet head large cent. The names derive from the less than feminine characteristics of Miss Liberty which Dr. William Sheldon, the author of the standard reference for cents, referred to as more of an obese Ward Boss than a lady. However you refer to the Matron Head large cent, they are relatively rare, eminently collectible and a piece of history.

The Matron Head large cent dates from 1816 however, the first coins were struck in 1815 soon after the US received a long overdue shipment of copper planchets from England. The planchets had been delayed by the war of 1812. The quality of the copper shows in the surviving Matron Head coins to date as they weather better and show less corrosion than earlier large cent coins.

1821 Coronet Matron Head Large Cent Low Mintage Key
US $395.00

1821 VF Coronet Matron Head Large Cent Key Date
US $395.00

1828 MATRON HEAD LARGE CENT LARGE NARROW DATE
US $2.99

1821 MATRON HEAD LARGE CENT 1c VERY FINE VF
US $289.99

1817 15 STARS MATRON HEAD LARGE CENT XF DETAILS
US $299.99

1831 MATRON HEAD ALMOST 180 YEARS OLD
US $11.51

1819 MATRON HEAD LARGE CENT 191 YEARS OLD
US $8.27

1852 Matron Head Large Cent Fine
US $13.00

The Matron Head large cent was minted from 1816-1839 a total of 24 years and the Philadelphia mint produced 51,706,473 pieces in all during this period. None of these dates has any particular rarity except that of copper coins over 200 years old – pretty rare in itself. However, during 1817 the 13 stars surrounding the Matron Head cent was struck with 15 stars. There are the usual errors common from hand pressed dyes including overstrikes and small errors. In addition, the 1823 Matron Head cent is rarely seen in any condition though there are some restrikes circulating from this date with progressively blurred details.

There are also variations that do not add much to the cost of the Matron Head coin but are certainly worth noting and very possibly collecting. These are the Silly Head large cent and the Booby Head as well as the Petite head and the “head of 1838” variations. Collectively these four years were known as the Young heads. They feature a much younger more feminine and less portly version of the Matron Head. Although they are of the same variety and known as Matron Head large cent coins these were produced from 1835 – 1839. They were popular with coin collectors of the 19th century.

These coins can be very affordable and may be graded according to surface color as well as condition. Most dates in the Matron Head large cent series will cost from around $25.00 for good condition to $175.00 for very find condition, with a couple of exceptions. 1821 and 1823 will retail for more. The 1823 Matron Head coin is scarcer for reasons unknown and will cost around $80.00 in good condition and far more in very fine condition. The 1821 large cent coin had the lowest mintage of any year of this series and a collector can expect to find this year more expensive.

This is an astoundingly affordable price for coins that are a part of early American history and fortunately, due to the US Mint’s dedication to supply plenty of small change to tradesman of the day, they are very easy to obtain for the collector.

Braided Hair Large Cent

meridint — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:08:37 +0000

The Braided Hair large cent coin was the last of the large cent coins and its history of mintage is very consistent with a large number of coins struck each year with the single exception of one year. Mint standards and methods were higher and errors though still common were much less frequent in this series than those before. However, it does hold the distinction of being the last of the large cent series minted by the United States.

A collector of the Braided Hair cent may find only the minor revisions in this series and that most dates are consistently available. In a word, these are an excellent choice in terms of availability and significance for collectors of copper coins from the early American era.

1852 BRAIDED LARGE 1c ONE CENT CHOICE STRONG DETAILS
US $39.99

1853 BRAIDED LARGE 1c ONE CENT CHOICE STRONG DETAILS
US $39.99

1852 BRAIDED HAIR LARGE CENT
US $48.99

1847 BRAIDED HAIR LARGE CENT COPPER PENNY
US $19.50

BEAUTIFUL BRAIDED HAIR 1853 LARGE CENT NICE COIN
US $27.39

1851 Braided Hair Large Cent
US $75.00

1851 Braided Hair Large Cent
US $100.00

Rare 1853 Braided Hair Large Cent good condition
US $8.50

The design of the Braided Hair large cent coin was not official until 1840. It is interesting to note that The Coronet Head that preceded it had in its last four years begun to change to a younger and version with tighter curls and resembled the Braided Hair large cent (not yet released) more than the Coronet Head series of which they were a part. The design of the Braided Head cent when it was released had even tighter curls, a much sterner more prepossessing countenance and a slimmer face. The size of the coin changed as well as the design.

The Braided Hair cent had a diameter of 27.5 much smaller than the previous large cent series whose diameters measured from 28-29mm. The last in the American large cent series was not only smaller around but thicker as well. This change in thickness might have been because these coins were struck in higher relief than previous coins. This accounts for the fact that they withstood wear well and many more surviving Braided Hair large cent coins can be found in Fine to Very Fine Condition than any other series.

Because so many of these coins survived in surprisingly good condition the pricing on the average Braided Hair coin in good condition is only around $20.00, $40.00 in fine condition and $50.00 in very fine condition. However, as with any coin there are exceptions to the rule. Those exceptions include the 1844/81 and the 1851/81 over dates coins where a Braided Hair large cent can retail at $60.00 for good condition. The final year of the series was 1857 and during that year only 333, 456 of the Braided Hair large cent coins were struck and this rarity makes them more costly with an 1857 Braided Hair cent pricing at around $150 for Good condition and $200.00 for Fine.

The Braided Hair large cent is relatively easy to acquire due to the large numbers struck and the better design that led to a better-preserved coin. However because it was the last of the US large cent coins ever made it holds historical value as well and as such deserves a spot in any collector’s cabinet.

Bust Quarters

meridint — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:05:15 +0000

Draped Bust Quarters

Coin collectors appreciate the variety of quarters that are available to them. Today most people are familiar with the George Washington and "US States" series, but there are some other quarter designs that hold a special appeal for collectors. Perhaps one of the best loved designs is the one known as a Draped Bust quarter. The first of the Draped Bust engraving dies dates back to the 18th century. At that time the chief engraver for the US Mint was Robert Scot. He created the draped bust profile of Lady Liberty for the first US quarter minted in 1796.

On the front of these coins is a bust profile of Lady Liberty. The backs of these coins are stamped with an eagle design. The 1796 quarters are unique with the combination of the draped bust design on their front and a "small eagle" stamped on the reverse. 1796 quarters are the only ones that have the "small eagle" stamp and this has made them a hot find for any true collector.

Because of to their scarcity, due in large part to limited production, the 1796 quarters are highly coveted. Today these quarters command premium prices regardless of their overall condition. If you can locate one of the 1796 Draped Bust-Small Eagle coins in good condition you will pay about $9,500. You should expect to pay 26-30,000 for one of these quarters if it is in fine condition.

1805 Draped Bust Quarter ICG G 4 Rare Type Coin
US $499.95

1804 DRAPED BUST QUARTERS NGC G4
US $2,609.99

1807 Draped Bust Quarter PCGS AG 03 Original Color
US $415.00

1807 Draped Bust Quarter AG Scratches
US $275.00

Another extremely rare date is the 1804 Draped Bust quarter. This coin has an aggressive, heraldic eagle emblem stamped on the reverse side. The front/obverse design is the same one that is used on the Draped Bust quarters from 1804-1807. Due to the fact that this design had a run of several years the prices for an 1804 Draped Bust quarter are not as prohibitive as the ones for the 1796 Draped Bust-Small Eagle specimens. But due to a very low mintage numbers in 1804, this date can be very hard to come by. A collector might be able to find one of the 1804 quarters for less than $5000.

If you want a coin that depicts the Draped Bust-Heraldic Eagle design, and you are willing to accept a year other than 1804, the prices are even better. Most of the quarters that were minted from 1805-1807 will cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand. For many coin collectors these more common dates are the best way to obtain a beautiful example of the first US quarters at a reasonable price.

Capped Bust Quarters

John Reich was the engraver who created the design for the original capped bust quarter. These coins were produced for a limited number of years. The first minting occurred in 1815 and these coins had a Lady Liberty profile that was strikingly different from the ones that were authorized by Robert Scot. While Scot's depiction of Lady Liberty was one that embodied a stern, no-nonsense attitude, this new Lady had a gentle smile and beribboned cap on her head. These quarters seem almost festive when you first look at them.

It is interesting to note that the cap on the head of Lady Liberty had the word, "Liberty" printed on the headband. This was very much like caps that were then being given to freed slaves. While some people took issue with this type of headwear being featured on the nation's coins, President Jefferson agreed that the cap was appropriate and looked like others worn by women of this era. On the back of these quarters is an eagle, but this eagle has outstretched wings and a less threatening appearance than the heraldic eagle that it replaced.

The capped bust quarters are separated into 2 distinct classes. One is the large size which is the original design. The large capped bust coins were printed from 1815 until 1828. In 1831 the newly designed, small capped bust quarters were introduced. This smaller quarter had a diameter of 24.3mm, and this measurement is still being used for our modern quarters.

1821 Capped Bust Quarter G VG Nice
US $99.95

1838 Capped Bust Quarter Nice High Grade Coin 7238
US $199.95

1821 CAPPED BUST 25c VF25 PCGS
US $600.00

1831 CAPPED BUST LIBERTY HEAD QUARTER 25c ORIGINAL XF
US $349.99

Seated Liberty Quarters

meridint — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:52:14 +0000

Coin enthusiasts are well aware of the many varieties of quarters that are available to add to their private collections. Today the modern collector may look for the "silver" quarters that were being produced until 1965 or they might be inclined to concentrate on coins with the Barber, Draped Bust or Standing Liberty design. Among the favorites of many collectors are the highly popular quarters that display the Seated Liberty engraving.

In 1838 America was presented with the first of the Seated Liberty quarters. These began to be produced after the introduction of the Seated Liberty silver dollars and both coins were well received by the public. For many people the classic beauty of the designs make these quarters and silver dollars collectible as works of art.

Seated Liberty Quarters Designs

The design of the Seated Liberty quarter has changed over the years. There are 7 distinctively different modifications to this series of quarters that spans more than 50 years. The very first change was seen in 1840 when a draped material was added to the figure's elbow. In 1853 the coin's reverse side was altered so that the eagle could be highlighted with a spray of rays in the background. This was the year that the front date was also bracketed by arrows.

The front of a Seated Liberty quarter shows the national icon in a sitting position. She is depicted with one of her hands holding a pole and the other resting on a shield. The pole is flying a Liberty cap, or mobcap, and these represent freedom and resolution. On the reverse of the coin is a heraldic eagle design almost identical to the one that was used on the 1796-1807 Bust quarters. The only detail that separates these two designs is that the eagle on the reverse of the Seated Liberty coin does not have a scroll. These eagles are clutching arrows in one claw and the other holds an olive branch. These two objects signify the willingness and ability of the American people to pursue either war or peace.

1876 S 25C Seated Liberty Quarter AU 58 Details ANACS
US $199.99

1854 LIBERTY SEATED QUARTER
US $48.99

1877 CC Seated Liberty Quarter 3E
US $4.81

1876 CC Seated Liberty Quarter 4E
US $20.11

1876 CC Seated Liberty Quarter 5E
US $6.00

1854 Arrows Seated Liberty Quarter XF
US $75.00

1877 Seated Liberty Quarter Good
US $25.00

3 Seated Liberty Quarter Dollars E11
US $114.50

Connect with the Past

To many individuals these Seated Liberty coins continue to radiate feelings of pride, courage and independence. These tangible parts of history allow a personal connection with the past and are highly desirable. There is a large group of dedicated collectors actively seeking to buy the finest examples that are available.

Basics of Collecting

Collecting Seated Liberty quarters is a fascinating hobby that almost anyone can enjoy. Some early dates are easy to find because of the relatively large numbers of coins that were minted. Be aware that the NM or Uncirculated specimens are much more difficult to locate, and these will cost much more than the ones that are graded as good or fair. If you want to develop a serious collection of coins you should always try to find those that with at least a grade of G-VG.

Investment Possibilities

There are few mint Seated Liberty quarters with dates earlier than 1874 and these are all highly prized by collectors. The prices that some of these coins can bring are staggering and it is the investment potential that attracts many new members to the world of coin collecting. It is quite possible for beginners to make a respectable profit in this hobby if they make wise acquisitions. This is why it is so crucial that you learn as much information about the coins as possible before you begin to buy, sell or trade.

Rare Examples and Prices

The 1870 CC coins that were minted at Carson City are some that any serious coin collector would mortgage their home to obtain. Another extremely rare Seated Liberty is the one known as the "No Arrows" 1873CC. At the present time there are only 3 existing examples and in 1990 one of these Seated Liberty designs sold for more than $300,000. This amount almost quadrupled the price that had been paid for it only 15 years earlier.

Barber Quarters

meridint — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:16:10 +0000

Collecting Barber Quarters is a good idea for a beginner because many of these coins are still available at reasonable prices. Many can be purchased for prices less than $100 and some examples can even be obtained for as little as $15. The values for these quarters have been rising over the past decade and they are expected to command even higher prices in the near future. This means that it is still possible for you to amass a nice private collection of Barber quarters now that will undoubtedly prove to be an excellent investment.

History of the Barber Quarter

These quarters were designed by Charles Barber and are one of the few coin series that are known by the name of the designer instead of by the design itself. These quarters feature the head of Lady Liberty shown in full right profile. There is a laurel wreath and cap atop the head and ribbons in the hair along the back of the neck. The B that is found at the base of the neck denotes Charles Barber as the die designer. The words In God We Trust are printed at the top of the coin over the head. The Barber quarters have 6 stars along the left front side of the coin and 7 on the right. On the reverse of the quarter is the familiar eagle design with outstretched wings. The right talon holds 13 arrows and the left is grasping an olive branch. The coin's mint mark is located just below the tail of the bird:

No mark indicates that it was produced at the Philadelphia mint.
S signifies that the coin came from San Francisco, and
O is the mark of the New Orleans Mint.

These coins were minted for only a short time during the years 1892-1916. This happened to coincide with a time that coin collecting was experiencing a tremendous change. In earlier years many people might hold onto coins because of a date, but the idea of collecting coins with different mint marks was just being introduced.

1899 P1907 PAND 1915D BARBER QUARTERS
US $7.99

1916 Barber Quarter Dollar
US $4.99

1892 25C Silver Barber Quarter AU 58 Details ANACS
US $169.99

BARBER QUARTERS 1899 1906 1908 1909 ALL GOOD
US $49.00

1915D Barber Quarter
US $250.00

G VG CONDITION 1903 SILVER BARBER QUARTER FULL DATE
US $2.99

1900 P Barber Quarter Nicely Toned X F
US $95.99

1909 S BARBER 25c QUARTER NICEST BETTER DATE COIN
US $59.99

Why Early Mint Barber Quarters are Hard to Find

The lack of early interest in mint marks explains why there are often few examples of coins with low circulation numbers available. People did not realize how valuable some of these limited production coins from San Francisco or New Orleans facilities would become in the future. The Barber head quarters were frequently minted in very high numbers for public circulation. Some people are surprised to discover that even some examples from large production can cost hundreds of dollars but one of the reasons is that money was hard to come by and it was often spent as quickly as it was earned. During the years of the Barber quarters production it was not easy for the average person to set aside a hefty sum like 25 cents, which helps explain why so few of these millions of coins survived in mint to near mint condition.

Key Examples to Look For

If you are searching for some key Barber quarters to add to your collection there are 3 dates that are important to remember. Circulated grade Barber quarters can be almost as elusive to find as some of the mint examples. The 1901 S is extremely difficult to find and is highly desirable. There were only 72, 664 of these coins minted which makes the task of locating one of these quarters a daunting challenge. Another date that would be considered a true treasure is the 1913 S Barber quarter. This series had a run that was limited to about 40,000 and there have only been relatively few of these that have been unearthed. The scarcity and demand can be seen in the prices that these coins are now commanding. A 1901S Barber quarter in G4 condition sold for about $1700 just 10 years ago and today this same coin can easily bring $4000 or more. The same quarter in MS60 condition was being sold for about $10-12K in 1998 and today it would fetch close to $30K. These kinds of profits make it easy to see why coin collecting remains one of the top hobbies for millions of people around the world.

Standing Liberty Quarters

meridint — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:19:45 +0000

The Standing Liberty Quarter was first minted in 1916 and there were only about 50,000 of these placed in circulation. This Hermon A. MacNeil engraving was a controversial and shocking sight to the conservative American public because Lady Liberty was dressed in a flowing garment that exposed her bare breasts. Although this figural depiction was similar in design to great sculptures by famous European artists it seemed to be too overwhelming for the more straight laced members of American society.

1917 Design Changes

The very next year there was a change in the design that resulted in complete coverage of the coin's female figure. Now she appeared clad in a suit of armor. Even the reverse engraving was re-worked. The eagle was moved into the center position and 3 stars were placed under this national symbol, leaving 10 stars on the sides, instead of the original 13.

1917 type I standing liberty quarter
US $12.00

1925 1926 1926 s standing liberty quarters
US $10.50

1927 Standing Liberty Quarter
US $5.00

1928 S Standing Liberty Quarter
US $10.00

1928 Standing Liberty Quarter
US $5.00

1926 Standing Liberty Quarter
US $5.00

1925 Standing Liberty Quarter
US $5.00

1927 P STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER NICE OLD RARE COIN
US $7.99

Recessed Dates

Standing Liberty quarters were produced for 14 years and the last ones were minted in 1930. In addition to the controversy over the bared breasts it became obvious that the coin dates were wearing away far quicker than expected. The numbers were struck in a raised design which gave the coins an interesting look and feel, but the silver metal could not hold up to the extreme amounts of handling. Beginning in 1925 the dates on the front of these silver coins were recessed so that the numbers would remain visible longer.

You can find some of the earlier Standing Liberty quarters being offered at very good prices but many of them have dates that are almost impossible to decipher. Today eagle eyed collectors search for earlier coins with dates prior to 1925 with the raised numbers that still show sharp definition. These examples are more valuable and are graded much higher than those that show evidence of excessive rubbing and handling.

Full Head/Full Rivets

Among these quarters are some particular examples that are highly sought by collectors. One of these is described as a "Full Head" Standing Liberty quarter. These are coins that display every detail on the figure's head. Examples of these are very difficult to find, especially in one of the higher grade conditions. Collectors are also eager to collect Standing Liberty quarters with a full complement of rivets on the shield. A true prize is a coin that contains a full rivet shield and a full head and these command very high prices.

Standing Liberty Dates and Marks

If you are a new collector you will notice that in addition to the dates on the front of these coins there is also a small M that can be seen just to the right of these numbers. This is the initial of the designer. The other mint marks that are apparent are S or D. The S means that the coin was produced at the San Francisco mint and the D stands for the Denver mint. The Philadelphia mint produced the quarters that have a date that lacks an accompanying mark.
Collecting Tips

Many coin collectors know that this hobby can be an outstanding investment, but it is the thrill of finding a rare or elusive example that keeps most people interested. Whether you are collecting for fun or profit here are some tips that can help you along the way.

Talk with experienced collectors and let them help you learn the basics.
Read books and attend coin shows to gain more knowledge about this hobby.
Only deal with people that you can trust, and beware of those offers that seem too good to be true. If a rare coin is being sold at an incredibly low price the chances of it being an honest transaction are almost ZERO.
Try to find the highest grade examples of a coin that you can afford. Those in poor or good condition are acceptable if you just want to complete a set, but most of these will not be very good investments.
Keep those uncirculated coins in pristine condition at all times. These are kept in special covers or sealed containers, and you should never handle them with bare hands.
Study the grading scale and make sure that you are familiar with the qualities that determine whether a coin should be listed as NM, VF or Good.

Rarities

In addition to the rarity of the 1916 Standing Liberty quarters there are a few other low production dates that collectors are constantly hoping to find. The 1927 D series contained less than 1,000,000 total coins. The 1927 S series was limited to less than 400,000 Standing Liberty quarters. The 1918 S date was struck on more than 11 million quarters but there are a few that are known to have a 1918/7-S overlay on the date strike mark. This has made this particular coin a particular treasure and it remains one of the most coveted of all Standing Liberty specimens.

Types of US Mint Coin Errors

meridint — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:04:38 +0000

Did you know that one of the most sought after coins to collect is one that was an error? That’s right. When you are producing a mass amount of coins there are bound to be mint errors. Those errors might be due to a faulty machine, or contaminated materials. However, the U.S. mint has inspectors on staff whose job is simply to ensure that these defective coins are removed and destroyed. However, the inspectors are only human so sometimes these defective coins slip through the cracks.

Today, our coins are created at such a high speed that it is tough for the unaided eye to catch any glitches. In fact, nearly every second ten coins are being made. To combat this, the mints have installed machines whose sole purpose is to quality control check the coins that are being manufactured. These machines will check for misshapen coins. Theoretically, these machines should help to keep all coins with an error out of circulation, but there have often been found misshapen coins out in the world. However, not all of the defective coins that have been found have been purely mistakes. In the past, there have even been workers from the mint who made a great deal of money by selling collectors coins with errors. However, the U.S. Mint takes that behavior very seriously, and will prosecute any offenders to the fullest extent of the law. That being said, error coins have a very high price tag associated with them so the desire to distribute them is also very high.

Error coins are typically referred to as FIDO’s, which stands for Freaks, Irregulars, Defectives, and Oddities. However, in the 1960s, an interest in error coins started to develop. In fact, there were even clubs started that were dedicated to studying these FIDO’s. Since the 1960’s the popularity of these coins has steadily increased.

There are three types of coin errors that can be made. Collectors have developed a classification system to identify these defective coins. They label each error coin with a P (Planchet), a D (Die), or an S (Strike). Often though a single coin could contain more than one error, but the majority of error coins do fall into one of the three categories.

A P (planchet) rating means that the coin does not have the raised rim like a traditional coin would have. A planchet error can also mean that the coin was struck with the wrong press. A D (die) rating means that the coin has endured a “die error.” Probably the most common type of die error is when a portion of the die pulls away and produces a crack in the coin. The third classification an S (Striking) rating are usually the most sought after effort coins. A striking error is when something goes wrong with the pressing of the coin resulting to an error in the image on the coin. For example, an off center coin is quite a common striking error. Coins like this have a hefty price tag that will accompany them.

Determining the Value of a Coin Begins With The Coin Type

meridint — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:40:57 +0000

A dealer or collector will always closely examine a coin before deciding on a price for it. The categories of type or denomination will be the first way that they sort these items.

Mints occasionally produce commemorative coins, tokens or medals which are primarily made for the collector's market. For examples, there are commemorative coins minted for the Olympic Games.

Half-cent coins, oversized coins, coins in odd denominations and more are among the coins which collectors crave. Many collectors like to collect sets – these are often too expensive for many collectors, who will instead set a goal of collecting one of each type.

Here are some of the more common types.

One cent coins – these have been minted since 1856. The collectible categories among these are the Flying Eagle Cent, made from 1856 to 1858, the Indian Head Cent, minted from 1859 to 1909 and the more recent Wheat Back Lincoln Cent made from 1909 to 1958.

Nickels – usually made from a nickel-copper alloy and having a face value of five cents. Collectible nickesl include the Liberty Head "V" Nickel made from 1883 to 1913. There are many 1913 counterfeits, but a genuine 1913 is very valuable. The Buffalo Nickel was produced from 1913 to 1938 and is also a sought after item among collectors. Also prized are Word War II era nickels, which were made of copper, silver and manganese due to wartime metal rationing.

Dimes – made since 1792 and having a face value f ten cents, dimes were once made of 90% silver and 10% copper. The silver content of these coins has been dropping ever since their introduction. In 1965, dimes began to be minted with 75% copper and 25% nickel. These components were chosen since they are not precious metals. This means that older dimes will tend to fetch a higher price on the market.

The more commonly collected dimes include the Mercury Dime, produced from 1916-1945 and the Barber Dime, minted between 1892 and 1916.

Rare quarters are a harder thing to find. There is the Standing Liberty Quarter, made from 1916 to 1930 and the very rare Barber Quarter, produced from 1892 to 1916.

Half dollar coins are becoming more and more rare. Even though it is a relatively recent coin, most coin collectors are thrilled to come across a Franklin Half Dollar coin; these were minted between 1948 and 1963.

It's fairly easy to find genuine silver dollars, but their precious metal content means that they tend to have price which is higher than their face value. Morgan's minted silver dollars from 1878 to 1921 are a somewhat common collectible coin, but the Peace Dollar, produced from 1921 to 1935 is a much rarer find.

For U.S. based collectors, specialty categories of collectible coins include foreign coins which are no longer in circulation, commemorative coins and gold coins which were produced before 1933. These include the Gold Dollars made from 1849 to 1899 and Double Eagles; these were minted from 1849 to 1933 and are also known as twenty dollar gold pieces.

While not coins per se, tokens and medals are often part of coin collections, especially subway tokens. When these medals and tokens are rare or commemorative in nature, they can be very valuable.

Once the first categorization of a coin is made, the dealer or collector will then go on to the next step – grading the coin in front of them.