Community Voice Response: May 5, 2020

From the April 10, 2020, Numismatic News E-NewsLetter

Do you think the “W” quarters with privy marks are a good way for the Mint to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II? Why or why not?

Here are some answers sent in from our E-Newsletter readers.

It is a great idea as long as this is not to make it easier for the Mint-contracted coin dealers to more readily identify the 2020-W quarters because they let some slip through to consumers and collectors in 2019.

Metro East Coin & Currency Club
via Facebook

It seems that such a world-changing event should have at least earned the entire reverse of a coin, not just a privy mark.

The thing that I really do not understand about this is the fact that sellers on eBay are already listing these coins in advance sales when they do not have the coins in hand. And since they have been dumped in with other Mint coins, how can they ensure that they can get their hands on these unless they actually have some way of getting them out of circulation that the average collector doesn’t? There is obviously a way to get these coins easier than the public and some sellers have found an in, which again defeats the purpose of trying to get them into circulation to inspire new people to collect. I am tired of the dealer games and overpriced coins.

Guy Cleveland
via Facebook

The privy mark is a good commemoration for this landmark event, but limiting it to “W” quarters makes it too obscure for the general public. The Mint should apply the mark to every circulation coin it produces in 2020 to reach the wider audience of the general public.

Bob Fritsch
Nashua, N.H.

I think it is a good idea and I like it.

Robert Powers
Address Withheld

It would have been a great idea but the average collector cannot find any of these coins in circulation or at their local banks. They are almost impossible for the average collector, especially young collectors, to find in change. There has to be a better way for the Mint to get these coins into the collecting community. I’m not sure how this can be accomplished but the U.S. Mint in conjunction with the ANA should try to come up with a better distribution plan.

I, for example, was only able to find one “W”-mintmarked quarter during my search of change for all of 2019, and I am sure my chances of finding any in 2020 will be the same. Also, obtaining any new rolls of the current year’s production, unlike the way it used to be when I was a kid, seems to be an impossibility!

Vincent S. Iannetta
Address Withheld

It can't hurt.

John Dunkle
Address Withheld

I am done with the Mint. They are peddlers of junk. Their gold and silver are too rich for collectors. Why don’t they discount to us monster boxes? Also, why doesn’t the government give us back real money (silver and gold)? The Federal Reserve is bilking the world with this fiat fiasco. Gold would force sanity on them.

Vincent Milo
Address Withheld

I think that it is good to put privy marks on the “W” 2020 quarters. It gives it some more detail, which is nice!

Dave Burdis
Charleroi, Pa.

I like the idea of the 2020-W privy mark quarters; however, I hope the mint does a better job at releasing the coins more widely than last year (which they have already committed to doing.) I have found just one 2019-W quarter in change as of now, and I have been looking since they announced them last April!

Ryan Kordziel
Address Withheld

Anything that can enhance the hobby and tell a story or give somebody the satisfaction of a find in change. These are the things that make people interested in collecting coins and memorabilia, so anything that the Mint can do to enhance the hobby in a way in which young people might get interested in coin collecting, I am for as long as they don’t try to milk the public with profits.

People need to be able to enjoy the hobby without it costing them an arm and a leg. When I was a kid, a roll of pennies held treasures. Going back to those treasures will definitely improve the hobby for the young collector and maybe help the older collector rediscover the joy in collecting.

Harry Schwartz
West Park, Fla.

I’m not a big fan of the Mint making minor changes to coins so they can sell more coins to a limited group of people but because of why they are adding the privy marks or at least the reason they say they are doing it, I’m all for it. World War II needs to be remembered, the atrocities need to be taught so we never allow it to happen again.

I would like to own these quarters because Ibelieve they are special, something that will not be repeated in my life as I will be well past 100 for the 100thanniversary. I do believe the Mint is starting to gouge the collector with its price structure. They know they have us, if you’re young you can wait a few years and hope the price has gone down. I first ordered from the Mint in 1954. It’s time for me to sell, not buy. I’ve enjoyed my hobby, I’ve enjoyed all the friends, family and acquaintances I met over these 76-plus years. The only person I’ve missed and never met at all the shows and activities that I’ve attended was Mr. Q. David Bowers. I never got to bid on an 1804 dollar or 1913 “V” nickel, either. This is the greatest hobby anyone could get involved in and, although I plan to start divesting myself of most of my coins, some will remain with me as a couple of coins in each set need to be upgraded before I can send them to the next caretaker.

Gary Gagne
Palmetto, Fla.