Wisconsin state quarters discovered here with unusual markings continue to draw attention from collectors
By Inger Sandal
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
The Wisconsin state quarter has been good to the Tucson Coin Club.
The frenzy behind two rare varieties of the newest state quarter, first discovered in Tucson, has created a surge in prospective new members.
"There's been a marked increase in the people attending the meetings in the last three months," said Jack Winger, a club spokesman. Meetings that drew about 40 collectors are now drawing closer to 50 or 60, with many first-timers bringing quarters they are eager to have examined.
"This whole city is one big collector," Winger said. "Everybody is looking through their change - which is neat."
The coin club, Arizona's oldest at 49 years, was just starting its membership drive in December and had fliers in coin shops throughout Tucson when the Wisconsin quarter was released.
The coin has the nation's first president, George Washington, on the front and a state design on back that includes a cow and an ear of corn. Tucson experts soon noticed some of the 2004-D Wisconsin quarters had unusual markings that looked like extra corn leaves - one variety has an extra leaf that goes up, and a second has a leaf that curves down.
By March, the variety coins were fetching $1,000 apiece in local stores.
Winger said that he believes the bulk of the quarters have been found.
"I think if you're going to find them you're going to find them in change," he said. Any discovery should be protected immediately in a special coin holder available at local coin stores or from the club, he said.
State quarters remain one of the most affordable ways to start collecting, especially by buying directly from the Mint at usmint.gov, he said. Arizona's state quarter is slated for release in 2008.
The Tucson Coin Club meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at VFW Post No. 4903, 1150 N. Beverly Ave. The $12 annual membership fee includes a monthly newsletter. For more information, go to www.tucsoncoinclub.org online.
Every meeting includes time to ask questions of experts and discuss special finds, along with an auction, door prizes and a raffle.
"You come home with some pretty neat stuff," Winger said. "When the story first broke, there were some (Wisconsin quarters) in our auction going for $20 to $30 for a set of three."
posted on April 4, 2005 11:18:20 AM new
You know I wonder sometimes where ebay sellers get there names. The guy selling the quarters name is "yellowing toenails"...may be reflective of his/her true state but strange nonetheless.
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
posted on April 4, 2005 08:43:41 PM new
I guess news doesn't travel as fast as one might think. We knew of the problem at Christmas time. But then again, the pulse of the heartland does run through here.
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Alive in 2005
