Altered coins....

coinnut4 · Member

Hi all,
I have a scenario for you and I would like to see what you think about the impacts of this.....
Ok here goes, first let me ask if everyone here is familiar with the "spoofs" of some of the state quarters??? If so, then you know that some of these are in the "not exactly suitable for everyone" category.....
As with all types of coins, these will eventually find their way into the mainstream of commerce and some will be circulated as they are still legal currency to my knowledge....
Once in circulation, they COULD find their way into some very inappropriate settings such as school cafeteria vending machines....the soda machine in the basement of the church, or the cash register at the local library..... or even the change back to your grandmother from the errands you ran for her..
What are your views on this and do you think that artistic freedom with our circulating coinage should be limited to a standard acceptable to all......
Coin nut 4

smed · Senior Member

The ones I am familiar with have been authentic state quarters restruck with Clinton-bashing (that's a GOOD thing, he AND the senator need to be bashed on a daily basis) dies. They have not been struck in a collar and as such are not the correct size to go thru a vending-type machine.

Kinda falls into the same scenerio as the "ONE CUNT" large cents. I wonder how many non-numismatists noticed anything different? Very few I'm sure.

GarryN · Expert Member

The state quarters program seems to indicate that there will be some artistic freedom in the future in coin design. There will always be a standard because the Mint will have the last word on designs and the Mint has historically been anything but artistic. Even in the state quarter program the Mint has made changes to the designs after approval by the state Governor to simplify the designs. Coin designs have and always will be tempered by practicality. The Mint Director wields more power than the President, it seems. Teddy Roosevelt couldn't even get his high relief double eagles into circulation.

coop · Expert Member

But at least he tried. Cool

Seems like everyone views the current coins as pocket change. Wait a minute, that is what they are! But to collectors they are works of art. Some of the Commerative coins make a stab at looking nice, but still falling short in my estimation. JMOO

GarryN · Expert Member

Good point coop, the coins may be a work of art from a design standpoint but from quality of strike, they are anything but. The lower relief on the quarters and cents, for example leave alot to be desired, I believe.

I recently purchased 1963 Type 1 and Type 2 quarters from John Wexler. The Type 2 is the proof style reverse. They are both mint state and I had forgotten how nice those quarters looked. The obverse relief was high, the lustre was bright and the new ones just cant compare. But thats why silver is silver and zinc is zinc. The numismatic community may have to rethink the "gem" designation for clad coins. Maybe "LNFZ"
"Looks nice for zinc" Im sure I am way off topic by now! Razz

coop · Expert Member

I've got the 1963 & 1964 proof reverses on Quarters. Got the 63 from wexler, the 64 I found in a local coin shop. Still missing the others back to 1956. Got to keep looking for them at shows. Nice find when you see them at regular quarter prices. I saw one 64 at a coin show, but he wanted to call it a proof quarter and wanted too much for it. It was a 64 type B.

coop · Expert Member

Here is an example of the 1964 Type "B" and type "C" Reverses.
http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/1964TypeB.jpg
B & C compared difference.
http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/1964TypeB_C.jpg

joeyuk · Advanced Member

I noticed the type a,b and c reverses on quarters. Cherrypickers'Guide has a picture of FS-24.7, a 1964 D transitional quarter. This book shows it as a urs-3 which means 3-4 known. I do not feel this is possible because I have seen this variety before and it is listed at $250 in ms63. I was curious what would be a more accurate count on these and if anyone knew a real value for them? Joe

Gabe · Senior Member

I believe the state quarters have failed to show any artistic tallent at all. The only design which I can truely say is somewhat artistic is the Georgia quarter....

Have you guys seen any of MR. Morgan's coin designs that never made it into circulation. Wow!! Shocked

Those are beautiful coin designs. It would be nice for the mint to addopt something similar.

GarryN · Expert Member

Hi Gabe! Yeah, you are referring to the pattern coins of 1877 and 1878? I know, 50 yrs ago you could have bought many of those coins for next to nothing, now the prices are sky high. They are beautiful. I always enjoy looking at them when they come up for auction. Just looking....

I agree with your conclusion about the state quarters. Georgia is nice, Mississippi is nice, not historical, but nice. I still like Delaware. A few others.