Coins We Love: Amazing "Quarter"ly Issue
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As much as I wanted to stay away from writing about anything related to the virus, it’s hard to avoid in today’s environment. That being said, we wanted to let you know that we are abiding by the suggestions of the CDC and as new rulings are distributed, we are taking them all into advisement to best support our team at DLRC and as well as you, our customers. We are making some changes internally, which will likely go virtually unnoticed by customers, but thankfully we have long been set up to have multiple offices and spaces in our headquarters, so we are doing our best to keep our “social distance”.As things change on a minute by minute basis, we may see some slight delays in shipping times and in package arrivals. We are doing our best to stay on top of everything and will continue to do our best to support you, our valued customer, and to give you the best service possible, while balancing out the needs of the health and well-being of our folks in the office.
So, the inevitable question that most people are asking is “what is happening with the coin market?” Well, I’ve been talking to other dealers, wholesale, retail, vest-pocket, coin shop owners, and show promoters… the answers are as varied as the jobs, but the overall sense I get is that there isn’t a feeling of panic. Coins are not only a comfort to collectors, but it’s been an alternative investment, and a hobby that can be enjoyed. Are the metals going crazy? Yes…but the US mint ran out of silver 2 weeks ago and while silver has dropped over $5 per ounce, the premiums are skyrocketing, so a silver eagle would cost you more currently than it did when silver was higher. It’s ridiculous, but shows how multiple factors can affect a marketplace.
Overall, most of the folks that we’ve spoken to, (at least those with a web presence or established customer base) have seen a slight bump in business in the last week. This may be a surprise to many, but we’ve seen quite a bit of activity and are optimistic that the market will continue to hold. With the next 2-3 major coin shows already being canceled, dealers will start seeing a lack of available material as well. As this occurs, more coins will leave the wholesale portion of the coin market and will become available to collectors. As a buyer, this drop has actually energized our buying and our auctions. While there have been some panic sellers from smaller dealers due to the lack of shows to stimulate their business, we’ve utilized our opportunities to not only help the smaller dealers, but to ramp up our inventory. So, you won’t see a lack of coins over the next few weeks…in fact, we’ll have time to get more of these new items processed and moving along into the auctions.
Should you as a collector panic? Well, thankfully coins have likely been more stable than many other investments in recent weeks…hopefully that continues and I strongly believe that we’ll see more money leaving the stock market and jumping into hard assets or alternative vehicles. This has always been good for the coin hobby and I don’t see how that is different now.
Somehow we've gotten this far into Coins We Love and not said one word about the amazing quarter collection that we have ending in Sunday’s auction, Red’s Silver Washington Quarter Collection. The coins are absolutely incredible and we hope that you’ll enjoy viewing them and might find a few that fit your collection as well. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email or call us and we’ll be happy to chat with you. In the meantime, please stay safe and let us know if we can be of assistance, whether it’s buying, selling, or just chatting coins, that’s what we’re here for and that’s what we hope we can do for you!
Sincerely,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it:This gem is a rare opportunity. The 1932-D is a key date of the Washington Quarter series in any condition, but this is not your average 1932-D – with a population of two with none finer, this is one of the best surviving examples. With bright, satiny luster and blazing white surfaces, this well-struck beauty is a perfect fit for a registry set or any top-tier collection.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $90,000, and the CPG comes in at $90,800. We’re starting this one off with no reserve, so this could be a truly fantastic steal for one lucky bidder. The other MS66 piece has traded hands more often, and this specimen last sold publicly in 2015 for $82,250. Bidding is still below $70,000, so there’s plenty of room left to add this to your collection for a great price!
Why we love it:This MS66 1932-S has a population of five with none higher. Another key of the Washington quarter series, this is a date that is always in demand. One of only three approved by CAC, this rarity has some light golden toning around the rims and smooth fields.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this gem at $32,500, and the CPG suggests $34,500. We’re offering this one with no reserve as well, giving you a fantastic opportunity. This specific example last sold at public auction in 2013 for $35,250. Bidding is still under $30,000, so don’t miss out while it lasts!
Why we love it:Now that we’ve got your attention, we have a few more top pop Washington Quarters up for auction with no reserve, including this 1937 doubled die obverse. With a population of three and none higher, this gem is lightly golden with doubling visible to the naked eye. This is the only example in the grade that has been approved by CAC, putting it a step above the other two.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $26,000, and the CPG is at $22,400. We’re starting it with no reserve, and it’s still under $10,000. This specific example sold in 2013 for $21,150. There are no more recent public auctions of the grade, making this the first time in seven years that an example has been on the market.
Why we love it:The scarcest major doubled die of the Washington Quarter series, this piece has a population of only three, with no public auction records. In fact, the highest graded example to sell at auction was an MS63 in 2005. This coin is blast white with satiny luster to spare.
Value:It’s hard to price a coin that’s four points above the nicest example to sell at auction, but the PCGS Price Guide suggests $40,000. The CPG stops at MS66 for the issue. We’re starting it off with no reserve, and bidding is still under $30,000. A comparable piece may not appear on the market for years, if not decades, so don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity while you have the chance.
Why we love it:The rarer of the two mint mark varieties for the year, the 1950 D/S is a popular variety, and this piece is the cream of the crop. With a population of three with none higher, this bright white beauty is one of the best examples around. The surfaces are satiny and clean, making for a nearly flawless coin.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $27,500, and the CPG is at $33,300. We’re starting it with no reserve, and it’s currently still under $30,000. The only auction record for the grade is from 2013, when the same coin offered here realized $27,500. None have come up for auction since, and we imagine it may be awhile before another appears.
Why we love it:From an original mintage of only 1,000 pieces, this beauty is one of the plate coins on PCGS CoinFacts. Only two are graded higher, and this example is certainly an eye catcher; the golden obverse is encircled by thin rings of blue and orange, while the reverse is awash in bright blue with splashes of rose.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $15,000, and the CPG is at $10,600. We’re starting it off low at $10,500 to leave plenty of room for bidding. The last auction of this Civil War date in PF67 was in 2016 and realized $15,275, so we expect quite a bit of interest at this price point.
Why we love it:This better date Half Eagle has plenty of luster and a sharp strike. With a population of five and only two finer, you won’t find an example much nicer than this. Bright gold highlights the rims and devices, making the design pop.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide recommends $15,000, and the CPG is at $14,200. We’re starting it off at $12,000 with plenty of room for bids. This flashy registry-quality piece won’t last long, so get in on the bidding early!
Why we love it:When the matte proofs produced at the beginning of the Lincoln Cent series proved to be unpopular, the Mint stopped producing any form of proof cents from 1917 until 1936. This piece was the first brilliant proof ever produced for Lincoln cents, and brilliant it is – sharply struck with stunningly reflective surfaces, this example is an absolute gem.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this coin at $4,000, and the CPG suggests $4,120. We’ve had it listed at $4,750, but we’ll let it go for as little as $4,250 via Make Offer. These beautiful and historical issues had a mintage of only 5,569, and only eight are graded finer than this gorgeous piece.
Why we love it:An overdate discovered in 1971, this has become a popular variety among collectors. This specimen is flashy with plenty of luster across bright white surfaces. With a crisp strike and lightly frosted devices, this gem is among the top tier for the type with only two graded finer regardless of PL designation.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide and CPG both put this coin at $7,500. We’re making it available for just $6,500 via Make Offer, a significant discount on the price guides. We sold another example in the same grade for that price in 2018, so we expect a fast sell on this beauty.
Why we love it:This is a stunning example of a key date in the Standing Liberty Quarter series. It’s covered in pastel pink and rose gold toning with hints of mottled blue, resulting in phenomenal eye appeal. With only one graded finer, this beauty is one of the plate coins on PCGS CoinFacts. This piece is begging for a seat in a high-grade registry set.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this coin at $27,500, and the CPG isn’t far off at $27,800. We’re giving you the opportunity to get a fantastic deal by starting the bidding at only $23,000, over $4,000 below either price guide. Bid early and bid often to avoid missing out.
Why we love it:This lustrous AU piece would make an excellent addition to a type set. A fairly common date even in higher grades, this is a relatively inexpensive example with fantastic eye appeal. It has plenty of luster and with only a slight rub from circulation, all the devices still remain crisp and clear.
Value:The NGC Price Guide suggests $11,900, the PCGS Price Guide is at $11,000, and the CPG recommends $11,100. We’re taking a big step below all of them and offering this beauty for only $8,750 via Make Offer.
Why we love it:This gem is a better date for the series and is dripping with eye appeal across the frosty surfaces. With consistent color and a strong strike, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a sharper example of this gorgeous design. From an original mintage of only 351,000, this specimen has survived for over 100 years in stunning condition.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $6,000, and the CPG recommends $6,250. We’re starting it off below both at $5,250. This is the first MS65 of the date that we’ve had the pleasure to offer, and we’re excited to see how it does.
Why we love it:This better date Indian Head Cent is sharply struck and covered in original, brilliant gold-red luster. In MS65 RD or higher, this date is one of the rarest issues in the series with only 30 believed to survive. Gem examples are more commonly found in RB, giving this vibrant piece incredible eye-appeal.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide suggests $5,500, and the CPG is at $4,380. We’re willing to let it go for just $3,750 via Make Offer, well below the price guides and many recent auction records. This piece will make a fantastic addition to any set of Red Indian Cents.
Why we love it:A common date, this gem would be a great fit for a type set. Vibrant, satiny luster covers the well-struck devices. Created right before the turn of the century, this beautiful nickel looks as though it could have left the Mint yesterday.
Value:The PCGS Price Guide puts this piece at $400, and the CPG suggests $390. We’ll let it go for just $350 via Make Offer, below the most recent auction record; one sold last month for $360.
Why we love it:With a population of two and none higher for the variety, this beautifully original piece is sure to turn some heads. With golden brown toning and clear fields, this example is well struck with fantastic eye appeal.
Value:A rather specific variety, neither the PCGS Price Guide nor the CPG have a specific value for this issue. We’re willing to let it go for just $3,000, which is a fantastic deal for a top pop coin with such strong eye appeal. This one won’t last long!
Why we love it:This crusty AU half dollar carries its history with it. Part of the famed Newman Collection, this piece has passed through the hands of one of the most well-known numismatists in recent times. Dark surfaces seem to hint at the historical significance of this New Orleans coin as bits of original white luster peak out on the reverse.
Value:The NGC and PCGS Price Guides both put this piece at $400, while the CPG comes in at $390. We’re offering it for just $340 via Make Offer, an incredible opportunity to own this unique and distinctive coin.