Post 1964:
An uncirculated 1965 - 1967 quarter or dime in nice shape actually has developed a modest premium since collectors at the time of their issue lost some interest in them -
no mint marks were added to them so for those seeking to collect by mints that avenue was gone temporarily and the loss of silver for those seeking bullion also lost interest.
Any proofs with minimal or no impairment (eg. wear) are worth holding. Cladking implies this as the US Mint for much of its coinage began reducing the relief of its images on its coins (one exception is the 2021 Quarter and even American Women's Quarter reliefs are high than those from 30 years ago) starting in the mid 1980's. You can see the difference when comparing the Washington obverse of a 2014
America the Beautiful Quarter with a 1972
Washington quarter with Eagle reverse --- there is substantial height to the 72 Washington whilst the 204 Washington is flat as a pancake. This means the wear on the coins becomes quite apparent much earlier in usage than a 1972 quarter. Even the
American Women Quarters' Washington has a higher relief than the quarters from the 1990's. Bu as I wrote they are worth holding if you find very nice unc specimens which shows strongly the design.
The
Red Book and Cherrypicker's Guide have been mentioned as great guides to errors and varieties.
For clad coinage the value is found only with those that ae uncirculated and proofs. Some of the
State Quarters as well America The Beautiful have a very small premium if in high Almost Uncirculated. The main exceptions are Not-Intended-For -Circulation coins which are coinage you could use in commerce but are meant for collectors and can only be bought from the US Mint. However, these end up in circulation once in awhile or your grandma purchase these. Here are a few to look for:
2020 W Proof and 2020 Rev Proof
Jefferson nickels - these were included in the Proof and Silver Proof sets of 2020.
2019W Proof, Rev Proof and Uncirculated - these were included in Proof, Silver Proof and Uncirculated sets of 2019. The Uncirculated 2019 W garners the highest premium due to it having the lowest mintage of the three and one that is possibly the lowest of all Lincoln cents.
1996 W dime Uncirculated included in the Uncirculated set.
Any
Kennedy half dollar issued after 2001 is considered an NIFC (although the US Mint did put some into circulation once in awhile)
Golden Dollars: Sac dollars after 2001; Presidential after 2013; Native American after 2011;
American Innovation Series starting in 2018. Just note you would have to have a high quality gem to have a decent premium. Interestingly those golden dollars that were put into circulation have better premiums in lower grades of unc and even high grades of AU.
America The Beautiful and
American Women Quarters S mint business strike (eg not the usual Proof strike on e expects from this mint) after 2012 . Both are sold only to collectors but again found in circulation once in a great while or in collections.
America the Beautiful Quarters from 2019 and 2020 - 2 million of each design was put into circulation so your grandma may have found any she found. As there were no uncirculated and proof versions produced solely for collectors in protected packaging, nice uncirculated W quarters have a good premium and even those in Almost Uncirculated and Extra Fine garner a modest premium. In the long run it will be the nice uncs that will keep best their premium.
Posted 09/17/2023 09:23 am
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
