U.S Quarters

[Descartes]

A few months ago I started collecting U.S quarters (state quarters, beautiful quarters, etc) as an aside to my sixpence collecting. Having now collected most of the state quarters and and being up to date with the beautiful quarters I've decided I'd like to expand into barber quarters and seated/standing liberty quarters and build up a decent collection. I've bought a few now but the prices seem to vary so much I thought I would enquire if anybody knew of a good price guide! (as im probably being diddled with some purchases on eBay).

Also, I wondered if there were any collectors who could advise of respectable U.S coin dealers in the UK?

Thanks,

D

[Generic Lad]

The "Red Book" (see http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guide-Book-United-States-Coins/dp/0794831486/ref=cm_lmf_tit_3 ) is the main price guide for US coins in the US. However, some of their prices are higher/lower than what you'd find from a normal coin dealer. Also important is that it is a retail price guide rather than a dealer's price guide. Its pretty much the Spinks/Coincraft of US coins and contains the more sought after varieties for most coins (except it doesn't have much info on VAMs for silver dollars)

With Barber/Standing Liberty coinage there are a lot of "condition" rarities. There are many coins that sell for bullion when worn, but finding a EF or BU specimen might bring a couple hundred to a thousand dollars. In general, Barber coins are usually found nearly worn slick, Pre-1925 standing liberty quarters are usually found dateless and so on.

When it comes to grading, I'd recommend either a copy of the ANA grading guide (see http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grading-Standards-United-States-Coins/dp/0794819931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340737616&sr=8-1 ) or, if you have an iPad, the Coin World app has a nice feature letting you compare the grades of various coins (and the app is free)

I don't know of any major varieties to keep a look out for when it comes to Barber, Standing or Seated Liberty quarters other than the general varieties for Seated Liberty coins and the 1918/7-S Standing Liberty. Also, the head of the Standing Liberty quarter is usually poorly struck, if you're cherrypicking on eBay look for the ones with a fully struck head, they are worth quite a bit more, if you look at slabbed coins they usually have it indicated on the label with the grade.

[Peter]

At the Midland fair there are a few dealers who stock US coins.Most of them use non negotiable fixed prices.

My Red book is 7 years old so I try and buy a few US coins at these rates.I avoid US slabbed coins.

I do like the large cents and 19C small cents.

[Peter]

At the Midland fair there are a few dealers who stock US coins.Most of them use non negotiable fixed prices.

My Red book is 7 years old so I try and buy a few US coins at these rates.I avoid US slabbed coins.

I do like the large cents and 19C small cents.

As an alternative I have used recommended US dealers on the Coinpeople site.

[Debbie]

Don't know if this is of any interest? here I found it when researching the odd love token.

[Descartes]

Thanks for the info guys.

I've now ordered a copy of the 'U.S Coins Red Book' ...

D