Whether you're a beginning coin collector or an experienced numismatist, it's simple and easy to begin a fifty state quarter collection.
What are fifty state quarters?
In 1997, the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act was signed into law, declaring that the government wished to honor the unique nature of the United States of America through a series of collectible coins. The first state quarters were produced in 1999 and are being released in the order in which states were admitted to the Union.
Quarter Release Schedule (by year)
1999 - Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut
2000 - Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia
2001 - New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Kentucky
2002 - Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi
2003 - Illinois, Alabama, Maine, Missouri, and Arkansas
2004 - Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin
2005 - California, Minnesota, Oregon, Kansas, and West Virginia
2006 - Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota, and South Dakota
2007 - Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah
2008 - Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii
These state quarters are unique because the typical eagle design on the back of the quarter has been replaced by a design chosen to represent each state. For instance, the Wisconsin quarter celebrates that state's farming heritage with a picture of a cow, a wheel of cheese and cornstalks. New York's quarter features an outline of the state behind the iconic Statue of Liberty.
Collect
Fifty state quarters are ideal for a beginning collector of any age. They're inexpensive - your complete collection of fifty quarters will cost $12.50. They're common - you might have a few fifty state quarters in your pocket right now. And since there are so many of them, you can know the thrill of gathering a complete set. But even the most seasoned numismatist can enjoy the fun of the fifty state quarters program.
The best way to start a fifty state quarter collection is to simply start looking through all the change you get. You may want to create a list so you can keep track of the coins you've found. Tell your friends and family which states you're on the lookout for, so they can help you in your quest. Keep your eyes out for new quarter releases.
If you truly want a complete collection, you should look for one state coin from each mint. All coins are minted in either Denver or Philadelphia, with a small D or P engraved on the front. If you find that you're missing a coin here and there, you may want to shop around at a coin shop or show. Since the quarters are so common, they should only cost a small amount more than face value, a little more if the coins are in especially good condition.
The United States Mint also offers proof sets of each year's state quarters. Each proof set includes one example of each new quarter, minted in silver. The coins are encased in a plastic case to protect them and preserve their shine. Some people consider proof sets an investment since they are more rare than the coins you use everyday, so they're more likely to appreciate in value. Others simply enjoy the look of the high quality coins. You can buy the current year's set directly from the U.S. Mint, but you'll have to buy from a dealer for past editions.
Store and Display
Once you've started to gather fifty state quarters, you'll want to find a special place to store them. Imagine the disappointment of finding out that a friend or family member grabbed a couple of your carefully gathered coins to buy a cup of coffee. You don't have to buy anything fancy to store your quarters. A small box or tin with a lid is a good place to start. You can also drop your coins in a glass jar if you'd like to watch your collection grow.
Eventually you may want to store your coins in something more professional or organized. A local coin or hobby shop can help you out, or you can find numerous outlets for coin collecting products online.
Some collectors keep their coins in tubes that are similar in design to paper coin rolls but made out of plastic for durability. Another popular way to store coins is to use thin cardboard books with slots for coins on each page. There are books designed especially for the fifty state quarters, with a slot for each state and the year of its release. If you're not content to keep your fifty state quarters packed away, companies have also created display boards and maps with cutouts or slots where quarters can be inserted.
Enjoy!
Whether you're a first-time or seasoned collector, the most important thing to remember about building a fifty state quarter collection is you should enjoy the process and your completed collection.
