Getting Started in Coin Collecting State Quarters

When the U.S. Mint first introduced the State Quarter series back in 1999, it instantly attracted a new generation of coin collectors to the hobby. Those who got started early on the 10-year program had an impressive set of circulated coins to be proud of when the program ended.

As the coins entered circulation, it was easy for many to assemble sets by saving rolls and bags of them. Now that the program is over, it seems that collecting clad state quarters has lost some of its appeal. With the exception of a few silver proofs and high-grade coins, most circulating state quarters are worth only their face value.

Some people still like to collect state quarters, but not for the reasons you might think. Instead, they are interested in acquiring the best-graded examples of each state coin to increase its numismatic value. Others want to complete a set of all 50 states or their respective territories. Some even want to fill one of the popular state quarter maps that contain slots for each state.

These maps are typically a color coded map of the United States with spaces for each state and its territory to be fitted in. These maps also include a variety of interesting and educational information for each state such as its capital, nickname, state flower, state tree and more.

There are a number of ways to collect state quarters, but the most popular is to purchase a state quarter album. These albums are often made by leading coin album manufacturers such as Whitman, Littleton and H.E. Harris and feature a state-specific coin slot next to the coin illustration.