The Washington Quarter

 PNG's website highlights different coins each month.  This was the "coin of the month" back in October 2009 but this details the history of the Washington quarter design.

THE WASHINGTON QUARTER

Gary Adkins, PNG #352

 The original Washington quarter was first proposed in 1930, with plans to issue a circulating commemorative coin on the 200^th anniversary of Washington's birth. The intention was that the coin would be made only in 1932, but the law that was passed stipulated that the design could actually become a regular coin and replace the Liberty Standing quarter that by then had seen less than 25 years of service. Plans went forward to hold a design contest and select a model for the portrait, and a decision was made to use the image modeled from life by Jean Antonine Houdon. Within weeks, more than 100 artists were hard at work hoping to win the $1,500 prize that was offered for the winning design.

 

A special panel viewed the entries and chose a model that Secretary Andrew Mellon promptly rejected. He had already chosen another pair of models and insisted that the panel go with his choice. The panel had selected the work of Laura Gardin Fraser, while Secretary Mellon preferred the work of sculptor John Flanagan. Why Mellon was adamant in his decision is not known. Both designs were outstanding, and while the Flanagan design has stood the test of time, the Fraser bust of Washington remained all but forgotten until 1999 when it was resurrected and used on the $5 gold commemorative coin made that year in remembrance of the 200^th anniversary of his death.

Technical difficulties delayed production of the Washington quarters and they were not ready for release in February, but when the coins were released later in 1932, they were an immediate success, and the public seemingly could not get enough of them. So strong was the demand that people continued to ask for them the next year when no quarters were minted, and by 1934 a decision was made to continue manufacturing Washington quarters as a regular circulating coin. From that time on, quarters with the Washington head design have been made every year, and frequently at all three mints.

Over the years the Washington quarter has been a virtual workhorse coin that is used more frequently than any other denomination in circulation. It has also served the nation well through several changes in appearance. In 1965 the 90% silver alloy was abandoned. Thereafter, all quarters made for circulation were made of a clad material consisting of an inner core of pure copper bonded to outer layers of copper-nickel. In 1976 it was selected, along with the half-dollar and dollar, to honor the bicentennial of the American Revolution.

When the Mint's 50-State Quarter Program began in 1999 the obverse design was altered slightly to include some of the wording from the reverse, and allow more room for the state design, but essentially it is the same recognizable image of the beloved first president. The influx of so many new and interesting reverse designs has brought new life and interest to collecting not only quarters, but all kinds of United States coins. The Mint estimates that as many as 130 Americans save at least one example of each new design, and many try to assemble a full set of each of the 50 states. A secondary program was established to extended coinage through 2009 to recognize The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Assembling a complete set of date and mintmark Washington quarters is not difficult. Many of the old silver pieces are still available in Uncirculated condition at prices only slightly above their melt value. Once considered almost too common to save, many of these beautiful pieces have now gone into the melting pots, making those remaining for collectors possible future rarities.

Coin Grading Guide: Walking Liberty

This article is taken from the NGC's website.  We hope you will enjoy this unique review of our nation’s coinage.

Grading Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916-1947)

Almost everyone's short list of favorite coin types includes the Walking Liberty half dollar. The United States Mint didn't share that view, however, as coins of this type were very difficult to strike; even proofs sometimes lacked complete details.

The Mint's Engraving Department attempted to correct this problem by sharpening the obverse master hub on several occasions, but the fundamental problem of poor metal flow into the dies proved insurmountable. This fact presents a challenge when attempting to grade Walking Liberty halves, as many of the pieces coined during the 1920s and earlier seem worn even when fully lustrous. This also is true of some of the branch mint issues of the '30s and '40s, particularly those coined at the San Francisco Mint.

Circulated halves are quite popular with collectors, though these coins did not wear evenly and can be unattractive in grades below Fine. The guidelines and photographs presented in The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins are very useful in determining the grades of circulated coins. This book also offers detailed descriptions of each Mint State grade level, though the most effective teaching tool is always hands-on experience.

The figure of Liberty and the eagle were both quite susceptible to contact marks from other coins, both before and after leaving the mint. These elements are in high relief and received only slight protection from the raised rims. As with any coin type, the Walking Liberty half dollar features certain areas where contact marks or hairline scratches have a greater impact on grading than they do in other areas. These are described in the ANA's guide as Prime Focal Areas and include the obverse field at the right (above the motto IN GOD WE TRUST) and the eagle's breast, left leg and left wing. Any surface disturbance occurring in these areas weighs heavily in lowering a coin's grade. Secondary Areas include the obverse field at the left, the sun's face and rays, Liberty's right arm, the flag drapery below it and the date area. Contact marks or hairline scratches located in these places still affect a coin's grade, but to a lesser degree.

Toning also is a grading issue with Walking Liberty halves. Coins of this type typically tone in an irregular and sometimes quite unattractive pattern. They're not likely to produce the beautiful concentric circles found on simpler designs. That's why you won't see very many toned Walkers in the marketplace, as many such coins have been "dipped" at some point to remove blotchy toning. There are exceptions, of course, and attractively toned examples may earn an extra grading point or the NGC star designation for superior eye appeal. Still, you should not be put off by dipped coins, particularly if their mint luster is unimpaired.

With their areas of exposed relief, Walking Liberty halves are particularly vulnerable to light stacking friction, or "rub" as it's sometimes called. This typically appears on Liberty's breasts, the breast and upper left leg of the eagle and the rims. Before the advent of certified grading, coins with such rub frequently were sold as mint state examples. These "sliders" are now graded AU-58, and that grade was devised specifically to describe such coins.
Before I conclude this discussion, a few additional words about striking quality are essential. The greatest deficiency in metal flow typically occurred at Liberty's left hand and the branch stem on the obverse, and at the eagle's breast and left leg on the reverse. Only on proofs dated 1936-42 are all of these elements brought up well, yet even some proofs are a bit indistinct in the shape of Liberty's hand. Many Denver and San Francisco Mint coins show additional weakness in Liberty's head, the olive branch and the date area. If severe, such weakness can lower the grade of a Mint State coin, and it can impair the wearing quality of circulated coins as well.

If you have any questions about buying or selling Walking Liberty half-dollars, please send us an email at info@usacoinbuyers.com and we can help you.

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Commemorative Stamp Collection

This is a great way to start a stamp collection or a great addition to a growing collection.  "Celebrate the Century" is an exciting, limited edition stamp series that commemorates the most significant people, events and accomplishments of the 20th Century. 

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History of Money

Here is an interesting article we thought you might enjoy from by Michael Russell at  http://ezinearticles.com/?A-History-of-Coin-Collecting&id=447722


Today, it is believed that the first coins were bronze and used in China around 800-1,000BC. Lydia in Asia Minor used coins about 600-700 BC. The Lydian's coins were called "starters" which was a unit of weight. Starters were stamped with a lion's head image and made with a gold and silver alloy. Today, as you might guess, the coins that are still remaining are very valuable.

The early Americans did not use coins for money. They made their "notes" from beaver skins, wampum and tobacco. They had their own money system without coins in use until foreign traders came to America and demanded payment for their goods. The foreign coins then started to circulate, but soon Americans started making their own coins from copper in the 18th century. Then after the new American government was born, it started to regulate coinage. The rights to produce their own coins were eventually given to the states. Later, national coinage was produced in America and the first U.S. Mint building started their coining operations in Philadelphia in 1793. The Mint building was actually an old brewery! The cent coin was the first one struck for circulation.


It's amazing how these ingenious and enterprising early Americans operated their first Mints. They used a screw press that was powered by horses or many strong men! The planchets were squeezed between the obverse and reverse dies to strike the coins. At first, the dies were cut by hand. Sometimes a die cutter would add his own artistic flair to his dies.


Coin collecting has a long and colorful history and was mostly a hobby for the wealthy until more modern times. The Roman Emperor Augustus (63BC-14AD) was the earliest person known to collect coins. He collected them for his own collection and even gave out some as gifts. In the Middle Ages, the wealthy families and royalty amassed amazing collections. Even in the early history of America, only the wealthy could afford to collect coins. Everyone else had to spend the money for necessities such as food, shelter and clothing.


Then in 1858 the American Numismatic Society was formed and in 1891 the American Numismatic Association was founded. (A numismatist is a person who studies, collects or invests in paper money or coins). Because of these organizations, public awareness of coin collecting grew and in the 1930s the U.S. Commemorative coins were struck and became extremely popular with the public. More and more people were starting to collect and invest in coins. The numismatic hobby has been growing every since the 1930s and it is estimated that there are more that 15 million numismatists in the United States today!

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Stamps 101, Part 3

This article is taken from the American Philatelic Society website.  http://www.stamps.org/kids/kid_qa.htm 
 
What makes a stamp valuable and how do you determine that value?

The value of a stamp is determined by the quantity available, the demand, and its condition. Approximate values, for both mint and used items, can be obtained from a stamp catalog.

Is it better to collect canceled or mint stamps?

This is a decision that collectors must make for themselves. Canceled stamps with light markings can make a beautiful and, of course, educational collection. They also usually are less expensive to obtain. It must be noted, however, that in general mint stamps will have a greater value in later years. This is not always true. One of the most valuable stamps, the 1 cent British Guiana, is a heavily canceled stamp.

What are the rarest or most expensive stamps?

There are more than ten stamps of which only one copy is known. And while rarity is one factor in determining value, the history behind the stamp often is more important. Some of the most famous and valuable stamps include:

• 1 cent 1856 British Guiana (Sold for $935,000 in 1980)
• 1d and 2d 1847 Post Office Mauritus (1d & 2d valued at $500,000 used; 1d at $1,100,000 unused)
• Sweden 1857 3 skilling Banco Yellow (Approximately $2,000,000)
• Hawaiian Islands 1851 2 cent Missionary ($660,000 unused; $200,000 used)
• British Guiana 1851 2 Cent Cottonreel ($70,000 used)
• Western Australia 1854 4d Inverted Swan ($60,000 used)
• United States 1868 1 cent Z Grill (Sold for $935,000 in 1988)
• Canada 1851 12 pence Victoria on Laid Paper ($80,000 unused and $50,000 used)
• United States 1918 Inverted Jenny ($150,000 unused)

The above values are based on catalog values or last known sales.

Why isn't there just one stamp with all different prices?

If all stamps appeared the same, Postal clerks and customers would be more likely to confuse them. In fact for a period of years the Universal Postal Union required that stamps had to be a particular color based on the rate they paid. Another important consideration is that stamps give us an opportunity to honor our great citizens, commemorate important events in our history and encourage our citizens to do things that help our society to work well, such as register to vote, and to give blood.

Why do people collect stamps?

People collect stamps for many different reasons. Some like to learn about the designs. Others enjoy them as little art works. Still others like to try to get all the stamps of one country. But most of all, stamp collectors have fun with their stamps because no collection is ever complete, so there is always a challenge. Besides, your stamps belong to YOU, and that is a nice feeling. And, of course, stamps are one way of sharing an interest with other people -- your friends, a parent or perhaps a neighbor. Even strangers can be instant friends when they discover that they both collect stamps!

How old must a stamp be before it's worth more than face value?

A stamp becomes valuable because there are fewer copies of it than there are collectors who want it. Age of the stamp is only one factor. Also important are how many were printed and how many collectors there are. There are some stamps that are 100 years old but a billion or more were printed. They will never be rare.

How and where do you get stamp catalogs, tools, and mounts?

Most often, people get stamp supplies, catalogs and stamps from stamp dealers. Visit the dealer listing on this website or look in the yellow pages of your telephone book under "stamps" or "stamps for collectors," and call before you visit to make sure that the dealer carries the things you need. If there is no local dealer, you need to find adult collectors who can tell you where they get what they need -- usually by mail. Sometimes a member of a local stamp club (see listing on our site) will order supplies for the club members, and you can submit your order with the club order.

Why are stamps canceled?

Stamps represent money that has been paid to the Postal Service. The money that is collected from selling stamps is used to pay the expenses of transporting and delivering the mail. Once stamps have been used, the cancellation makes them into a receipt for the service that the Postal Service has given. If more service is asked for in the form of a new letter, a new stamp must be used.

Where can I put my stamps if I don't have hinges or mounts?

Without hinges or mounts it will be difficult to display your stamps in an album or on home made pages because tape or glue will damage your stamps. You could use glassine envelopes or stock cards, but stamp hinges are less expensive. Self-stick pages sold for photographs should not be used, as the stamps may be hard to remove, and when the adhesive dries, it may discolor your stamps.

If you have a design you think would make a good stamp, where do you send it for people to look at?

Stamp design ideas should be sent to:

Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee
Stamp Development
US Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St., Rm 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432

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Stamps 101, Part 2

This article is taken from the American Philatelic Society website.  We thought this might be interesting for stamp collectors just getting started.  If you missed it, also check out Part 1 posted yesterday.


Stamp History


How much did the first United States stamp cost?

The first United States stamps were issued in 1847. One featured a picture of Benjamin Franklin and cost five cents. The other featured a picture of George Washington and cost ten cents. (A U.S. Postage Rates listing is available for you to see postage rates and when they have increased.)

Why does the United States of America put only dead people on stamps when other countries picture people who are still living?

Each of the world's stamp-issuing nations has its own set of rules governing selection of subjects for stamps. The United States does not consider putting an individual on a stamp sooner than 10 years following his or her death. The exception is former Presidents of the United States, each of whom is honored with a memorial stamp on the first birthday following their death. The United States believes the impact of a person's life cannot be assessed until it has ended and that at least 10 years after death are required to make a fair evaluation. Most historians would agree that this is a sound policy.

How did stamp collecting start?

Shortly after adhesive postage stamps were introduced by Great Britain in 1840, people began collecting them. In 1841, a women even placed an advertisement in the London Times in which she requested help in collecting stamps so that she could paper a bedroom wall.

In what state was the first U.S. post office built?

The first post office was established in 1639 at the home of Richard Fairbanks in Boston, Massachusetts. The first building created to serve as a post office was built in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1683.

How and why did the use of stamps get started?

The use of adhesive postage stamps, as we know them today, began in 1840 with the British postal system and was largely due to the efforts of Sir Rowland Hill. The 1840 stamps were created as a means of abolishing delivery charges based on distance and the number of pages. Weight of letters became the basis for delivery charges and stamps were used to indicate prepayment at a uniform minimum rate of one penny for a ½ ounce letter. Sir Rowland Hill believed lowering the rate would increase postal revenues through increased mail volume. History proved him correct.

In what year did the U.S. start printing stamps of different designs on one sheet? The Christmas issue of 1964 was the first year different designs were printed on the same pane of stamps. Four different stamps featuring holly, mistletoe, poinsettia and a sprig of conifer were issued in panes of 100 stamps, each pane containing 25 blocks of the four different stamps.

Where were the first U.S. airmail stamps used?

The United States began airmail service on May 15, 1918. Special stamps were issued to indicate prepayment of mail carried on the first flights. The first route, flown by Army pilots in Army planes, linked Washington, DC and New York City via Philadelphia, PA. The rate was 24 cents an ounce. This rate included special delivery to the addressee.

What was used before stamps?

Prior to the use of stamps, the person receiving a letter paid the delivery costs. Since rates at the time were very high, many people refused to accept a letter. Thus, the post office often suffered the cost of both delivery and return of the letter. Mainly for this reason, it turned to a means of prepaying postage.

When was the first time that meter stamps were used on mail?

Meters to pay postage were first used in New Zealand in 1904. The first use in the U.S. was on December 10, 1920 at Stamford, Connecticut.

When was Zip codes first used? The Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code -- a five digit number -- began on July 1, 1963. The first number designates the state or area; the next two numbers, the area within that state or area; and the last two digits, the office itself. Mr. ZIP was created to help people remember to use the ZIP code to help the Postal Service move the mail. He was printed on the margins of many U.S. stamps issued between 1964 and 1986.

Who appears most on U.S. stamps?

Since 1847, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington have appeared on more stamps than any other Americans.

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Stamps 101, Part 1

This is taken from an article by the American Philatelic Society.  http://www.stamps.org/


Where did the word "philatelist" come from?

The word "philatelist" means a person who practices philately or stamp collecting. It comes from the French word philatelie, which was derived from the Greek words "philos", meaning loving, and "atelia", meaning exemption from tax (which also came to mean "postage is prepaid"). Philately has come to mean, specifically, the collection and study of postage stamps, postmarks and stamped envelopes and the study of postal history.

What are cachets?

A cachet is a design placed on an envelope, usually commemorating the event for which the cover, as that envelope is known, is being prepared. For first day covers, the design is usually closely related to the subject of the newly issued stamp. The cachet usually appears on the left side of the envelope.

What are stamp hinges and where can I buy them?

Stamp hinges are thin rectangular pieces of paper which are used to hold stamps in an album. One side of each hinge is coated with a special adhesive that becomes sticky when it is slightly moistened. Hinges may be purchased from stamp dealers (http://www.bjstampsandcoins.com). Hinges come in two varieties, flat and pre-folded.

What are coil stamps?

Coil stamps are stamps made for use in vending or affixing machines and are sold in rolls. They have perforations on two parallel sides only (either the horizontal or vertical side). The other sides of the stamps are cut straight.

What is a mint stamp?

Mint stamps are stamps that remain in their original state of issue, unused and with full gum (if so issued).

What is a joint issue? A joint issue occurs when two countries each issue a stamp or stamps on the same date to commemorate the same subject. This happens frequently when the person or historic event honored has a special meaning for both countries. For example, on June 1, 1976, the U.S. Postal Service and the Canadian Post Office jointly issued stamps honoring Benjamin Franklin. Franklin had been the first Postmaster General of both Canada and the United States. Both stamps were designed by the same person and looked nearly identical.

What is an overprint?

An overprint is any printing added to the face of a stamp after it has been manufactured. This is usually done to make stamps suitable for use not originally intended. Precanceled stamps represent one kind of overprinting. Whenever an overprint changes the value, it is called a surcharge.

Why and how are stamps watermarked? A watermark is a special design or pattern pressed in to the soft paper during the manufacturing process. These impressions take many forms, such as letters, animals, fruit, emblems, and combinations of these and others. They are frequently hard to find under normal inspection. Watermarks help provide protection against forgery.

What is a semipostal?

A semipostal stamp frequently carries two denominations on its face often separated by a "+" and is used to pay for postage and make a charitable contribution. One denomination is the amount of postage that stamp pays for and the other, usually smaller in size than the first, is the amount that will go to support charitable organizations or help pay for health programs. The United States has issued only one semipostal stamp to support breast cancer research in 1998.

What is meant when a stamp is said to be "off-centered"? The term "centering" refers to the stamp in relation to the perforation surrounding it. Perforations should be equal distances from the printed area. When they are, the stamp is well centered. When they are not, the stamp is off-center. A very badly centered issue may actually have the perforations intruding into the printed design. A stamp's condition and value is determined, in part, by the quality of the centering.

How can you tell if a stamp is a commemorative or a regular issue?

Regular or definitive issues are the stamps you are most likely to see on your mail. They are usually one color, relatively small and printed in large quantities to stay on sale for several years. They most often depict famous persons from history, the U.S. flag or historical artifacts. Commemorative stamps are issued in honor of an important event, person, or special subject. They are generally larger and more colorful than definitives. Commemoratives are only sold for limited periods of time. If you are in doubt about the type, consult a catalog or ask a stamp dealer.

What does "aerophilately" mean?

Aerophilately is the hobby of collecting air mail stamps, and envelopes (covers) that have been sent by air mail -- including by airplane, balloon or other types of aircraft

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New Blog for BJ's Stamps and Coins

We have a new blog!  Things will be updated with news, articles and just general information about coin and stamp collecting.


Please also visit our BJ's Stamps and Coins Facebook page! 


Check back often for new posts! 
Happy collecting!

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