ATB Coins--Why Is Everyone Saving?

After going through the 2010-11 ATB Unc. rolls from the Mint, I bought, it seems to me the obverse is a problem. Worn out dies, a lot of bag marks etc.
Opinions? The first 2012 ATB seems a little better. Again I believe the Silver Proof set would be the better buy.

The Washington bust was restored to the his original glory. No more spaghetti hair. If I did not know that, I would have thought about worn dies as well.

However, you may be seeing something else and if you are, feel free to let me know what it is.

I feel like I should just go *pulls out bullhorn* OKAY EVERYBODY LISTEN UP!! Are you still looking for these in nice condition from circulation? 'cause if the 2011/2012 are that hard to find, I can yank a dozen from my drawer and probably by the time I have them in really good condition, I'll have hit my 90-day mark and I can send them to you

I hardly find any ATB in the wild, but have been saving what I do find towards making a circulating set. So far I've found so few and have yet to complete a annual set from any mint.

However, I like the set because of the changing designs that I find much more pleasing than the Statehood Quarters. I'm having much better luck in gathering from the mint.

The ATB Quarters are very hard to find in circulation. Personally I have only come across 10 of them, unlike the State Quarters which are quite common in circulation. The designs are a step up from the State Quarter designs. Whenever I see a poll in regard to my favorite State Quarter design, I cannot think of one that stands out. With only 3 years of the ATB Quarters, I already have 3 favorites. Some of the ATB Quarters are quite beautiful. Beautiful enough for me to purchase one of the Gettysburg in 5 ounces. It is amazing to see the detail and the beauty on a larger scale.

Grabbed a Chaco-something today, gorgeous condition. Teeny tiny buff mark on George's neck, otherwise looks uncirculated. Passed up about half a dozen Chickasaw because I've seen way better, but expect a better one this week :-D

D: Had to wait til today to buy the Chaco quarter because I didn't have the 25 cents on me. Someone disregarded my "please save for Nina" note (either that, or Greg saw it and went "WANT!" because where four coin collectors share the same two registers . . . ) and it is now, alas, gone.


However, I did pick up a 2011-D Chickasaw, 2012-D El Yunque, and a . . . 2008-D New Mexico. Don't look at me that way, it looks like it just came out of its first roll ever! *slinks away, pretending she didn't get all fascinated by the shiny new state quarter*

I like to think I can resist the State Quarters (except the two I found in my drawer that appear to be either silver or silver-plated--but then, that's kinda different), but it was just. So. Pretty. And not scratched-up at all. I think someone around here has been spending out some rolls they were sitting on--2008 is relatively recent, but two weeks ago I found a 1999 (CT, I think) that still had full cartwheel, no scratches, sharp edges and cladding colours, etc.


If you collect them I'll totally trade you when I can I have a nice little collection that's starting to outgrow its shoebox and no idea what to do with most of the stuff I bring home ("Matte black penny that appears to have toned that way, not been painted? COOL!! um . . . should this be . . .in a 2x2 . . . or something . . . ?").


Meanwhile, it's thirds tonight and that means time for Nina to fill the coin machine. I'll report back tomorrow!