The Future Of Modern Coins

I really do not think that the general public notices this glut of coin series that has followed the State Quarters. Those were certainly popular because it was something new. But once Congress started the Westward Journeys nickels, Lincoln Bicentennial pennies, Presidential dollars, Native American dollars, and America the Beautiful Quarters people stopped paying attention. There is no more novelty to coinage series and what has followed is a glut of boring, insipid coinage designs. The Mint has unfortunately taken a liking to a "story-time" philosophy to coin design, that is, every design needs to have educational value to it (even commemoratives). The subjects are presented in the simplest, most one-dimensional manner to get across the message of the coin quickly and briefly. Gone are the use of artistic allegory and symbolism.

If they become rare, people will collect them like most people collect morgans, classic commemoratives or even ancient coins. A few examples of the nice affordable ones, and an expensive wish list.

I can't believe that the state/territory quarters will ever be rare - even if you aren't seeing them in your neck of the woods just yet. Look through your change and see how many mid sixties quarters you find - and those are coins that circulate a lot (unlike nickels and pennies) or even how many bicentennials are still out there (those were hoarded in droves 35 years ago). Many people who aren't normally coin collectors built state sets and I think people will be pulling beat up Whitman's full of Grandpa's quarters for the next 50 years. I do think high grade mid to late 90s quarters will be rare in 10-20 years though because no one cares about them now.

Now the REAL question for me is do I include 1 quarter from 1999 or 2000 in my 20th century type set, or do I include all of them? Arrg!

Well, statistically, the 20th century actually ended with the year 2000. Ball's in your court now?

I think you're right about the low relief, but in 50 years I think inflation will keep the cent and the nickel out of circulation. Maybe the dime too. What will cost less than $1 in 2060? The low value coins don't circulate enough now to wear out (compare a LWC find from the teens with one from the 30s), let a lone 50 years from now.

The idea of changing types on coins ain't nuthin new!

The ancient Romans changed their coin types frequently. The Romans did not have newspapers, so how did they let the Empire know when they had a new emperor? Easy! Just put his portrait on the coinage! If you wanted to celebrate something, say it on a coin. If you wanted hope for peace when there was war, show it on a coin. If there was inflation, a whole new series would have to be introduced with smaller coins, or less precious metal in them, or higher denominations.

The Romans produced something like 15,000 types. THAT would make a complete type set pretty hard to obtain. Perhaps the British Museum would have the nearest thing ot Roman Type set. The Hermitage Museum in Moscow, or the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, or the Hunterian Collection in Glasgow would be worthy runners up.

By appointment, many years ago, I spent a day in the Coins and Medals Department of the British Museum, looking at tray after tray of Byzantine gold solidii. I was about as happy as a pig in deep mud! They have thousands of coins that would be worth thousands each if they came to auction.

CuNi alloy coins last a lot longer in circulation than 90% silver coins.
The Mint figured out that CuNi coins simply don't need the old
silver-style high relief designs to last in circulation.


I already see early State Quarters in VG grade, and they still have
full rims and all of their main design details.
Not to say that another 10-20 years of hard use wouldn't get them
down to G-AG, but how many Barbers and Standing Liberty's are AG-3 or
FR-2? This doesn't even factor in the untold millions of AG/FR/PO
Silver Quarters melted from 1965-80, and that some dealers will still
melt common low-grade Barbers and SLQ's even today!
That said, I could still buy bagfuls of AG/FR Barbers & SLQ's if I was so inclined.

I was thinking about how to handle all the new coin designs for for my budding Type Set. I finally decided to look at them like I look at the Commems. Just pick one and move on. If I want one of each type, I will work on them as a seperate series. LOL

OTOH, What good is a Type Set without one of each type? ROFL

Is this what they call "Circular logic"? It sure is giving me a headache.

Ok, back to my original plan. Pick my home State Quarter and roll on.