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GETTING STARTED MITCH SANDERS An Introduction to State Quarters

Pulling quarters from circulation is a great way to explore our nation and build an attractive collection.

portrait, to indicate where it was specimens are elusive, because some made. Designs originate at the state great alternative sources are available. TATE QUARTERS are a level, typically with significant input Coin dealers sell uncirculated state wonderful introduction from the public. If your state’s quarter quarters, both current and past issues, to America’s history, has not yet been designed, you may for a modest premium. You also can culture and natural be able to participate in the process. obtain each year’s quarters in annual beauty. Some are minia- As a collector, you can assemble an coin sets from the Mint. Uncirculated ture history lessons, with appealing set of state quarters, at very sets contain high-quality coins from the coins of Virginia, Mass- little expense, by looking no further Philadelphia and Denver, while proof achusetts, Delaware, New Jersey than your pocket change. Probably the sets are made at the San Francisco and Louisiana depicting important most popular method of collecting is to Mint (with an “S” mintmark). Proof events in America’s settlement, in- acquire one example of each state’s de- state quarters, both copper-nickel and dependence and expansion. Others sign from each mint. To accelerate the 90-percent silver, receive special portray enduring symbols, such as process, you can look through rolls of treatment so that the design is boldly New York’s majestic Statue of Lib- coins, available for face value from struck and frosty white against a mir- erty, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth banks. When building rored field. Because proof and un- statue and Maryland’s statehouse. your collection, you circulated sets are available Some issues depict magnificent should seek attractive midyear, you can obtain some natural landforms, such as New and well-preserved designs even before they are Hampshire’s “Old Man of the Moun- released for circulation. The tain” and Rhode Island’s Narra- Mint offers current sets only, gansett Bay. Arboreal images abound, while coin dealers sell both with Connecticut’s historic Charter new and old sets. Oak, Vermont’s maple and South Once your project is under Carolina’s palmetto, along with the way, be sure to protect your Georgia peach and the magnolia of coins in high-quality storage con- Mississippi. North Carolina and Ohio tainers, available from the ANA and quarters recall American accomplish- most coin dealers. It’s also important ments in aviation, while a few coins to keep contact to a minimum, hold- celebrate elements of American cul- ing coins only by their edges. By han- ture: Tennessee’s music, Kentucky’s dling and storing your coins properly, horseracing and Indiana’s auto rac- you will preserve their beauty for fu- ing. Taken together, the state quar- ture enjoyment. ters represent the people, places, Collecting state quarters is a great events and activities that are impor- way to experience the pleasures of tant in American life. building and owning a coin collec- The 50 State Quarters™ Program A variety of albums are available for tion. The state quarters truly em- was introduced in 1999 and will con- the state quarter series. body the spirit of the motto they tinue through 2008, with new issues carry: “E Pluribus Unum” (Latin for released about every 10 weeks in the specimens. Remember, you can up- “out of many, one”). With this series order the states entered the Union. grade individual coins as you find nicer of coinage, our unified nation com- Quarters struck for circulation are examples. Even if you’ve acquired the memorates the diversity of its 50 made of copper-nickel by the Phila- coins issued thus far, the pursuit will states. As a collector, you will unify delphia and Denver Mints, and each continue as new designs are released. the many and varied state coins into coin carries a mintmark (“P” or “D”), Don’t worry if you have trouble one, superb collection.

ALBUM PHOTO: LITTLETON COIN COMPANY COIN PHOTO: ANA MUSEUM/JOHN NEBEL ALBUM PHOTO: LITTLETON COIN COMPANY located to the right of Washington’s finding certain states, or if pristine [email protected]

108 NUMISMATIST • MAY 2003 www.money.org