When the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act was signed into law in 1997, it had a triple purpose..The program hoped to encourage knowledge in our youth about each state’s history and culture, as well as their contribution to the Union. Second, it wanted to commemorate the states that make up the United States of America.Finally, the third goal of the program was to encourage coin collection, specifically in the younger generations.
The first 5 quarters were released in 1999 and then 5 more were released each year after.The commemorative quarter for Hawaii, the final state to join the United States,was released in November 2008, bring an end to the ten year program.
The state quarter program was a huge success.It has been estimated that 147 million of United States citizens collected the state quarters
issued in the program’s ten year run.As most other coins a proof set for each year was also minted for collectors as well.
State Quarter proof coins were minted only by the San Francisco Mint.This is unlike regular state quarters, which were minted by the mint facilities in Denver and Philadelphia.The mints have a special process that allows the final coin to have a beautiful design and finish.This results in a mirror-like background and sharp relief of the design.The foreground is frosted and sculpted in order to give the coin a cameo-like appearance.
Proof sets are designed more for true coin collectores.This is due to several factors.One, the special minting process results in the highest quality state quarters.Also,these coins are never put into circulation but instead purchased directly from the mint.Proof coins are almost always in better condition then the standard mint sets.
Since proof coins are produced in smaller quantities, it also increase the value.Increased rarity produces increased value.The 2008 quarter proof sets, for example, doubled in value in less than one year’s time.Proof sets from the beginning of the program are now valued as high as to .
These will continue to increase in value as more time passes.
Finally, the quarter proof sets come with a certificate of authenticity.Proof sets are specially packaged by the United State mint giving them something a little extra special.Since this package process is not provided for circulated coins, it gives proof sets more value.
Proof sets are originally sold only directly from the mint.Now you can buy them from various dealers who resell the sets.You can even find them onplace like ebay.
The state quarter program creator a new generation of coin collectors.Many people did not collect coins prior to the state quarter program.New state quarter investors are best to start with the 1999 quarters since those will likely be the most difficult to find.
A good place to get started collecting state quarter sets is with the 1999 state quarter proof set.
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