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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,155 |
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New Member
United States
31 Posts |
I know this series as well as some other series out there have low mintages, but with so few collecting the sets, the prices seem really low. The Barber quarters really seem to show how well supply and demand control coin prices. The one thing that leads me to believe Barber quarters are not commonly collected as a set is because of the 3 expensive key date coins, which make it unattainable for most, including myself. With that being, I still really like the series and the fact that these are larger silver coins. 11 coins in the series have mintages under 1 million coins, not including the 3 key dates. With many of these coins being relatively cheap in low grades because of the low collector base. For example I was able to by a g4 1913 Barber quarter for melt value, when it has the same mintage as the 1909-s v.d.b Lincoln Cent. You can also buy a lower grade 1914-s Barber quarter for around $50, and it has the same mintage as the 1916-d Mercury dime. I'm currently collecting a low to mid-grade set of the quarters without the 3 keys. I think this is a prime example though of how mintage isn't always the biggest factor in costs, but the popularity and large number of collectors for a series is the larger driving force of higher values. I know this seems kind of long and I'm new here, but I just wanted to share some thoughts, and maybe others would find the Barber quarter series interesting because of the availability of low mintage coins. |
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Valued Member
Australia
243 Posts |
Collecting is very much a demand oriented business. Lincoln Cent and Mercury dime key dates are so expensive because these are amongst the most collected type coins in the world (Lincoln cents are arguably the most popular). You will find that US coinage as a whole is vastly over-priced in comparison to world coinage - and thats simply due to the fact that the US has a much larger collector base then any other country. Like I said, its a demand business - supply plays some role but coin values are largely predicated on demand. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
917 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
I really like the Barber series. It's fine with me to not have the big three in the Quarter series. My goal is to upgrade when I can for a reasonable price, sell off the lower grade pieces.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Hello CoinHunter3, It is not at all unusual to collect the Barber quarters EXCEPT for the Big Three. Looking through "Junk Silver" for these quarters is a fine way to collect the series in low grades. A word of advice: ANY example with a few letters of LIBERTY showing is worth taking a closer look. The difference between a good and a very good has become significant as to availability and to price. "Cherry Picking" these ever-so-slightly higher examples is both good training for the eyes and makes a lot of sense. They used to be lumped together - not any more. There is no shame in buying a "no-question," absolutely gorgeous example in "only" good condition. These examples are just not out there. Color and eye appeal are most important. Original surfaces, even in a good example, are hard to find. Should you find a nice fine or very fine example at a good price - consider buying it. Here is where future price appreciation lies. We are out there, Barber people. We like to share our knowledge and experience. That is, until two of us are locked in a bidding war on ebay! Then we get a bit ruthless. Lastly, please feel free to check out our group: barbercoins.org The link to the "Complete Guide to Barber quarters" is free to all and an invaluable source for both new and advanced collectors. Matt Student Edited by matthewvincent
06/06/2012 5:51 pm
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New Member
 United States
31 Posts |
Thanks guys for the replies  I do really like the Barber quarters, and I also try to get coins that have at least some of LIBERTY showing. I would say of the 24 coins I have so far in my set, at least half would grade between g6 and vg10 with a few also being fine or better. I'm not out to get the greatest set, because well I don't have the budget, but I really like the quarters even in low grade and when I can get them for close to silver value alone it's hard to resist I was able to snag a 1911-d barber in vg10 being just shy of fine with really nice surfaces for just a little over melt which I was excited about. So far I have 1908s, 1909o, 1913, and a 1914s for the harder dates to get, and can't wait to find more for my set. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1510 Posts |
I have a book of them--but I wish I did a year set--more in my budget
Retired USAF 1983-2003
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Gee, CoinHunter3, any chance of posting your pictures? The 1914-S to be sure, but the 1909-O is one tough coin! A collector can always put together a set of the four Barber denominations with an Indian Head cent that matches one of the dates. One each of the four mints, for example. Five coins total. Easy on a budget. Or, as I read years ago, a collection of all of the Denver examples. Not easy. Doable, but not easy. Break away from the tyranny of the Album - make a decision and collect what you like! Yes, the quarters do exert a hold on many of us. As for me, the DIMES are my passion - a complete set, [74 examples,] but it will never be finished. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
I am so happy that I bought this when the chance presented itself. My "bestest" Barber quarter.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
 I like those too. I've presently working on about 4 sets of thoes. First one is complete and the others close behind that. When I first started to collect those, almost all came from a person selling coins at a flea market. Almsot all were G-4 to F-12 types. Eventually at coin shows I started to upgrade all of them one at a time and due to the low cost for most, it is not to difficult to do that. Even in EF to AU grades they are basically affordable. Just one of those coins with low popularity. |
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New Member
United States
31 Posts |
Wow that quarter looks great and has awesome eye appeal. I can definitely see why your glad to have snagged it  I can't post any pictures at this time because I don't have anything to take them  But the 1909o is a good looking g4-6 coin, and the 1914s cost me a bit more and grades only g4 or so but I like it and its a tougher date for me to find. And yes I do like the other Barber coinage as well with several higher grade specimens I have in my 7070 type set. I just am drawn to the quarters a little more for some reason. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
986 Posts |
Wow Matthew, that is one nice looking '13 S. |
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Valued Member
United States
227 Posts |
Welcome, I'm a new collector too and just have been posting like crazy since. I'm completely addicted to this whole hobby lol, I just love it and there's so much to learn and collect is overwhelming but awesome at the same time. I love the Barber design too and I think they're a real bargain considering the mintages. I understand popularity is a huge factor in the value of a coin, but what I have my mind on is: "what happens if popularity shifts in 20 years?". They could be a great opportunity now to get them cheap, and the design is truly nice, so I think its very possible that one day they will become much more popular. Besides, I always think that if you want to make the most money in life you have to be doing something different than everyone else.... otherwise what value are you bringing to the market? On top of this the economy is really poor so coin prices have gone down a lot over the past 4 years. Personally I'm trying to pick up what I can now because I cant imagine a better time to be able to "buy low". Most coins were rising steadily in prices from 2005 to 2008, but when the economy got really bad in 2008 from the housing market collapse, they quickly dropped. Also, Liberty V nickels are in a similar category as the Barber quarters... good price for mintage figures if I recall correctly. By the way that Barber has outstanding eye appeal in my book, nice coin! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1770 Posts |
i love the Barber quarter series as well I completed basically all I could ( minus the key dates) |
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Valued Member
United States
256 Posts |
I like the Barber series as well but have found that the price guide is way off on coins vf35 and up. It seems even the lower mintage coins are cheap in g-vg but boy some of them are sure tough to find nicer. Boy that 1913s is a beauty!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If everyone continues bragging about the low cost of those Quarters, lots of others will start checking them out. So appreciate them but don't brag to much about the low prices or they will go up, up, up.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,155 |
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Posted 06/06/2012 10:10 am
