Gold Quarters

Gold Quarters and Their Value

Contrary to popular belief, a gold coin’s value is not based on how much it weighs. Multiple gold-plated quarters do not cost much because they have very little melt value or none at all. This makes it impossible to resell them.  For instance, most gold-plated quarters are layered with about 0.003 inches thick of gold, so their value is no more than the regular US minted 25 cent quarter . A while back, there was a gold-plated quarters craze, and people rushed to buy them because they were convinced it was a worthwhile investment that would appreciate over time.

Later, they realized that the gold-plated coins held no value and would never hold any substantial value. One would be lucky to find someone willing to buy them. On the other hand, a gold quarter that is genuine is worth a valuable amount. If you are among those who own the existing 91,752 gold quarters that are government-issued, you are lucky because you have a collector’s item that is resalable for a lot more than its face value. But how much is a gold quarter worth? Well, I will explain the basics, such as their current market price, the price history of gold quarters, and whether or not they are a worthwhile investment.

What Are Gold Quarters

While gold coins have been in existence for a while now, gold quarters are a fairly new invention. For instance, in the US, the first introductory of gold coins came with the Coinage Act of 1792 being passed. This statute brought about minting, a $2.5 coin, known as quarter Eagle, $5 coin or half-Eagle, and $10 coin or Eagle. It is worth noting that gold quarters are not the same as quarter eagles. They are also made of gold but cost so much more.

gold quarters
Pic of a gold quarter.

The US mint periodically issued commemorative gold coins in the 19th and 20th centuries. This included the 1922 Grant Memorial dollar, the 1916 McKinley Memorial dollar, and the 1903 Louisiana Purchase Expo dollar.

The US mint started issuing gold coins that were not meant for circulation (NIFC) in the late 20th century due to how much the gold coinage of the collector’s aftermarket had grown.  The silver coins and the commemorative gold coins were explicitly given for the collector’s market by the US mint . They included very rare coins such as the 2000 Library of Congress bimetallic Eagle with a $10 face value and the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum coin, with a $5 face value.

The Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin 2016

The standing liberty centennial gold coin 2016 is the only gold quarter officially sanctioned to ever get into circulation in 2016. It had a 25 cents face value and a composition of 99.99% karat gold. It weighs 0.25 troy ounces. On its obverse side, it features a “W” hallmark that indicates the location where it was minted, West Point, New York. The US mint only produced 91,752 standing liberty centennial quarters.

So how much is a gold quarter worth? Well, the standing liberty centennial gold coin 2016’s aftermarket value can be gotten from its melt value. This will be derived from the present-day spot price of gold.  Note that the coin consists of 0.25 ounces of gold. Therefore, the coins resell value is about a quarter of the price of an ounce of a gold bullion bar . As of March 16, 2021, an ounce spot price of gold bullion bar cost $1,740.76. this means that the US minted gold quarter containing 0.25 ounces of pure gold in the collector’s aftermarket will cost $435.19.

It is worth noting that this is based on the assumption that your coin sharply strikes that of a full original luster to about two or three contact marks that are noticeable, MS-66/67. A gold quarter in a mint state or a ‘perfect uncirculated’ MS-70 is a coin that has not been in contact with other coins, is unscratched, and does not have any wear. It can be detected by 5x magnification, and it usually sells for about 15% to 20% more than its weight in gold. There are several gold calculators that you can use to discover your gold coin’s melt value. Some calculators can help you calculate the value based on the bid price, weight, and purity.

The Price History of Gold Quarters

As mentioned earlier, gold coins were originally minted in 2016. According to the spot price of gold bullion, the prices have been fluctuating. Listed below are end of the year price history of MS-66/67 Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coins and all the years they have been in circulation.

  • In 2016 they were $289.78
  • In 2017 they were $324.12
  • In 2018 they were $320.41
  • In 2019 they were $379.87
  • In 2020 they were $483.87

Over the past five-year period, their value has maintained a strong upward curve. Gold quarters have appreciated by +66.98% between 2016 and 2020. The S&P index 500 measured that gold-quarters appreciation has outpaced the US stock market that grew by about +56.07% in the same period.

Are Gold Quarters a Worthwhile Investment in 2021?

Most people do not like taking risks with investments in things they are not well versed with. So you may be wondering, “are gold quarters a worthwhile investment in 2021?”. Well, yes, they are. If you would like to diversify your portfolio, gold quarters are an excellent option, and they safeguard against the instability that occurs in the equities market. For instance, the price of gold recently got into an all-time high state when it broke through the critical $2,000 an ounce resistance point.

Can it maintain that upward movement in the price? According to the market watchers and analysts, for the next twelve to eighteen months, the bull run of gold will continue.  Mainstream forecast estimate that by Q4 of 2021, the ceiling price of gold will be between $2,300(Goldman Sachs) and $3,000(Bank of America. If that is the case, then a gold quarter will be worth $575 and $750, respectively.

During relatively uncertain and unstable times, gold usually does well. During recessions and bear markets, investors typically flee from the volatile stock market, and they flock to investing in precious metals like gold instead. According to history, whenever there is an economic downturn, precious metals often retain their value. For instance, October 2007 and March 2009 was the recession period of the global financial crisis. S&P 500’s price fell by 56.8%, and that of gold increased by +25.5%. The same thing happened when the dot-com bubble burst between March 2000 and October 2002. The price of gold rose by 12.4%, and that of the S&P 500 dropped by 49%.

Therefore, history is proof that gold is a worthwhile investment for any investor looking to safeguard against market risk and systematic instability.  Given how the pandemic brought about much economic instability, investors who do not like taking risks should consider diversifying their portfolios by investing in gold quarters .

Gold Quarters FAQs

Here are some Gold Quarters FAQs.

Are Gold Quarters Investments Considered High Risk?

Generally, a gold quarter investment and gold investments are considered low-risk investments. There is also the fact that over the years, their prices have kept moving the trajectory upward, and experts and analysts predict that it will keep moving upward. However, it is essential to remember that no investment is entirely risk-free. Although their prices are high and stable when there is economic uncertainty, there are periods when the prices fluctuate.

Therefore, it would be best to work with an expert before adding it to your portfolio, as they will offer you information and guidance that will help you make an informed decision. Gold quarters are safer investment options. Although the market is often unpredictable, you can be sure that should the market go down, you will not lose as much since gold often retains its value. You should also factor in that they have been steadily appreciating value over the last five years.

Where Can be Purchased With Physical Gold Bullion?

First, you need to ensure that you have gone through the comprehensive list of IRA-approved gold bars and coins so that you do not partake in any sketchy deals. Make sure that the dealer you are purchasing them from is a professional and that the gold bullion bars they sell to you have a serial number. They should also give you a certificate that indicates the purity of 99.99%. Do not buy your bars from unreliable online sites or try to get ones that are of low grade. If you are not sure, you can consult with a professional and also carry out research.

When it comes to coins, if you are well-versed with what coins you want to buy, you can get them online from a trustworthy broker who has been operational for some time. Any gold coin dealer will advise you on what coins to get if you need guidance on what to get. The best thing would be to get bullion finish coins.

Should I Invest in Gold or Stocks?

Stocks

It would be best to invest in both. As mentioned earlier, most investors will invest in precious metals like gold when the stock market is unstable.  Investing in gold also safeguards your portfolio.  So it would be best to get both since they can all fall or rise in value. It is worth noting that physical gold will always have its inherent value, while stocks could fall up to zero when the company goes bankrupt. If you are purely looking for capital gain, then investing in gold would be the best thing because when stocks fall, gold rises. There are several other precious metals that you can also invest in.

Investing in Gold Plated Quarters

At a certain point in time, you may have come across premium gold-plated quarters that were being sold with the promise that they are a worthwhile investment. People who bought them found out that they wasted their money because these quarters are not worth much. As mentioned earlier, these quarters are plated with a very thin layer of gold, with very minimal melt value.

Just about anyone who has the right equipment can create a gold-plated quarter, so it is not rare and cannot be a form of investment.  The US mint does not endorse plating or any other modifications being made to coins . Therefore, do not purchase gold platted quarters thinking they are an investment because you will not be able to sell them for much. You will be lucky to find someone willing to pay for them. Note that gold quarters are the actual investment and not gold-plated coins.

Should I Invest in Gold Quarters?

Based on the predictions of market analysts, the answer would be yes. However, it would be best if you kept in mind that these are predictions. When it comes to investment, things could work in your favor or against you. It is also worth noting that when everyone is rushing to invest in something, the prices often go up. However, talk to professionals and your financial advisor about what the market looks like and their thoughts on adding it to your investment portfolio.

As mentioned earlier, they are suitable for your portfolio in diversifying it and safeguarding it against risks. Besides, investing is about taking risks. You can always get an expert to manage your portfolio if you are not knowledgeable in what investments are suitable for you.

What are the Different Types of Coins?

Often, people may get confused about the difference between the coin types. Listed below are a few types of coins and their differences.

Bullion Coins

Bullion Coins

These coins are made of precious metals and are often intended for investors. Their value is usually based on the precious metal’s weight, and it often varies every day depending on the current market price. These coins are not sold to the general public via the US mint. They are instead sold by dealers who are located throughout the country. Other quality coins include uncirculated, proof, and circulated coins, which the US mint sells directly to collectors, and some are sold as keepsakes and gifts.

Uncirculated Coins

Uncirculated Coins

These coins are often hand-loaded into a coining press. They are then struck on specially burnished blanks, but they have a soft matte finish. They are made in a similar way that circulating coins are made. However, the difference is that they have a brilliant finish. They also have an official certificate of authenticity.

Proof Coins

Proof Coins

Proof coins are the finest quality coins that the US mint produces. “proof” refers to the coins’ finish. Proof blanks are often treated specially, hand-polished, and thoroughly cleaned to make sure they have a high-quality strike. They are then placed in presses that have been fitted with specially polished dies, and they are at least struck twice.

The proof coins are packaged after in a manner that preserves and showcases their unique finish. Because they are struck at least twice, the coin has a frosted and sculptured foreground for a mirror-like background, intricate design, defined, and glamorous shine. They also come with a certificate of authenticity and are usually encased in a protective capsule.

Circulating Coins

Circulating Coins

These coins are often produced for circulations. However, ones that the US mint sells directly are not released to the federal bank reserve. The US mint usually offers these coins in bags, boxes, or rolls. They do not come with a certificate of authenticity.
As mentioned earlier, gold-plated quarters do not hold much value. However, you can get several hundreds of dollars per piece for genuine gold quarters. The spot price determines their precise resell value, which varies every day.

The Standing Liberty Centennial gold quarter, ever since it was incepted in 2016, has increased its value by 66.98%, making it outperform the US stock market.  If you are an investor, consider gold quarters and gold coins as safe-haven assets, especially during these uncertain economic times . Before you start adding gold to your investment portfolio, it would be best to go through a comprehensive IRA-approved gold bars and coins list. It would also be best to do further research and seek advice from a professional so that you can make an informed decision.

Before investing in precious metals, make sure you have done a thorough research and read enough about them to be well informed. It is essential to work and deal with reputable gold companies when investing in them. Avoid investing or buying coins advertised, or because it is the latest craze and everyone is doing it. Always consult with professionals and seek expert advice before making any financial decision, especially if it concerns a topic you are not knowledgeable in.

As mentioned earlier, the value of gold quarters has been on a stable rise and is predicted to increase in the next couple of months. If you are an investor, consider investing in them, or seek professional advice before you take the step if you are not sure. There are also several calculators online that can help you calculate the worth of your gold coin.

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Tim Schmidt

About 

Tim Schmidt is an Entrepreneur who has covered retirement investing since 2012. He started IRA Investing to share his expertise in using his Self-Directed IRA for alternative investments. His views on retirement investing have been highlighted in USA Today, Business Insider, Tech Times, and more. He invested with Goldco.