Expert: Joe Hylas - 2/12/2008

Question
K I wanted to get my husband something unigue for a present.  

So In two weeks I purchased all the 1999-2007 Silver full proofs,

1999-2007 full clad proofs,

1999-2007 P&D Uncirculated mints. (slabs)

And also the 1999-2007 Gold and platimum sets - in slabs (which pretty much came with another set I got as a bonus gift)

So when I present these all to him I am going to leave it up to him on whether or not he wants to sell them and he can keep the money for whatever he would like.  Or he can save them and make a nice frame to hang and display all the slab sets.  

Of course I spent quite a bit on all of these getting them at one time and the inflated prices on some and others I got pretty reasonable.  If I was to average out all the cost the price was about $30.00 per slab set (which of course is inflated over all especially the mints sets each one P&D are not worth even close to that - just giving an average. This price does not include the gold or platimum ones if I was to include them it would bring it down to $22 a slab (not really interested in the gold or platimum but they might look nice on display.

So my question is in your opinion would having a full set of all 1999-2007 Silver,Clad, Mint P&D - EVER BE WORTH what I paid for them?  Meaning do you think 10 years down the road having the complete series with be of any benifit or should I steer my husband into selling them?

He would kill me if he knew what I spent all at one time so I will not tell him that.  Who knows what I am asking I just feel like I have a bit of buyers remorse, but what is done is done can't go back now, unless I suggest for him to sell them.

Do you think many people are going to have all the complete sets or mainly just like the state map boards etc.  Is there any benifit to owning the whole series or no.

Thank you,

Answer
Hi Lori,
What a thoughtful and generous wife you are!  It was so very nice of you to think of what he enjoys and making it happen for him.

The statehood quarter sets have created over 20 million new collectors in the US alone, it is the most popular series the US Mint has ever created.  Being averaged in at $30 per slab is not unreasonable.  I hope you chose PCGS or NGC slabs, they are the best 2 and heads above the other services.  Also, I hope the grades on the coins are PR-69 for the proofs or higher.  The mint state pieces get super expensive above MS-67 so I am assuming that you acquired mostly MS-67's in that series.

There are many, many collectors assembling sets of statehood quarters and I do believe that in the future it will pay off for you.  However, if he were to sell them now, because they are readily available, you may lose 50% of your purchase price merely because dealers have ready supplies of them and are in no rush to hold more inventory that is so readily available.

Regarding the platinum and gold slabs, again, I hope PCGS or NGC.  Hopefully, these are not gold or platinum plated quarters.  You failed to tell me what the denominations were, whether they are all the $5 pieces, $10 pieces, etc. or the complete 4 coin sets for each year, every year.  Gold and platinum will continue to rise, and these are a great way to put away precious metals.  The plated quarters are not worth anymore than face value.  I see them ooffered on HSN and other TV sales shows, it all fluff and marketing.  Stay away from that stuff.  If you are to continue buying coins for him, only buy PCGS and NGC.
Let me know if I missed anything and I will be glad to advise you.
Regards
Joe Hylas