Why Are They So Expensive?

The listing I show for a MS-65 1983-p is $45 each. I dont believe they where MS sitting in a 2x2. $20 for proof might be a ok price tho. I havn't started on my quarter collection yet. ?

I'm tempted by that auction... I have a complete set of silver washingtons but haven't started on the clads... From doing the dimes I know that that's going to be one of the toughest dates to find... AND THERE ARE 3 OF THEM!! I spent $20 on the dime and I suspect the quarter would run about the same amount.

I think it was a cost cutting measure by Reagan.

And the stupid part about it was that it cut no costs because the mint set program had no costs, it completely paid its own way. And not only did it pay its own way, it actually generated revenue. So the cost cutting measure cut revenue instead.

I looked up this coin too. WOW The mintage was about normal along with the other years, so its interesting its as high as it is. Why would the coin be high if no mint sets were made that year? You could still get a proof with not a real high premium on it for 1983. I wonder if the 1983 p is one of those modern coins that overpriced for no real good reason at all I honestly do not see anything that special about it but I have yet to start my modern quarter collection (with the exception of the State Quarters)

Mint Sets are essentially a reserve of uncirculated coins for each year and mint mark for collectors. The mintage is irrelevant, what matters is the number that were held back from circulation. The only way to do that in significant quantity was to save rolls and bags which most people do not do. If the vast majority of a particular mintage goes directly to circulation, then the surviving population of mint state coins is low. For all of the years except 1982 and 1983, the Mint Sets have provided an extra 1-2 million mint state coins for collectors. That 1-2 million coin buffer in addition to the ones held back from circulation have created an ample supply for collectors for most years- except 1982 and 1983. Since those years are scarce in mint state grades, their values skew higher. Another problem is that the quality of most coins from 1982 and 1983 was of a lousy quality- weak strikes, worn dies, and corroding Zincolns. The truly gem examples can bring a significant amount of money for a "seemingly common" modern coin.

Also,the value of the 1982 proofs has no bearing since they tend to stay pristine and never circulate- if you want a mint state coin, you do not purchase a proof as a substitute(not counting 19th century proofs where some proofs are less expensive and easier to find than the business strikes).

Thanks for answering that question but I still think 1982 and 1983 quarters are overpriced even if the mint did not make any mint sets.

The proof sells for the same price as the other coins of that era.

There were a lot more of these rolls set aside at the time because everyone knew there wouldn't be mint sets. The problem was that there were almost no coins being set aside and when this number was doubled or tripled it still wasn't nearly enough for long term demand.