Banks appear to be the source of most State quarter dollars reported in First Reports and Circulation Reports sent to Coin World recently.
That may seem like a logical place to go for State quarters, especially for collectors who've just started looking for the coins in the past couple of years. But banks have not always been the place to find these coins.
When the 50 State Quarter Circulating Commemorative Program began in 1999, many banks responded with blank stares when customers asked for the newest State quarters. Some banks recognized an opportunity for customer service by ordering the newest State quarters but most were oblivious to the interest at the beginning of the program.
We encouraged collectors, and still do, to check businesses that use lots of change, such as coin-operated car washes or laundries, the service desks at discount department stores and home improvement centers, truck stops, vending machines, airport gift shops and restaurants. We've had reports from all of these types of businesses and some collectors have kept them as sources of the newest State quarters.
So if you're new to the hobby of State quarters or you are just looking to revitalize your searching abilities, think about some of the suggested businesses or others that might come to mind. Remember to be polite and to pick times when the businesses are less busy to make your requests. Those two keys may well unlock a door to collecting your treasured State quarters.
First Reports
Thomas Blanchard of Georgia reported Feb. 7 that his bank was the source of a 2005-P California quarter.
Bob Tran of Virginia reported Feb. 9 that he received a 2005-P California quarter in change at a grocery store.
Debra Gill of West Virginia reported Feb. 9 that she found a 2005-P California quarter in her change.
Dan Watson of Connecticut reported Feb. 9 that his bank was the source of a roll of 2005-P California quarters.
Carol Metz of Indiana reported Feb. 9 that a customer paid for a purchase with a 2005-D California quarter.
Neal Curtiss of Florida reported Feb. 10 that he received two 2005-D California quarters at his bank in change.
Lloyd Robertson of Kentucky reported Feb. 10 that he received a 2005-P California quarter at a bank.
Phil Marquis of Michigan reported Feb. 10 that he was given two 2005-P California quarters from a customer.
Jill Smith of New Hampshire reported Feb. 10 that a bank was the source of her 2005-P California quarter.
John Gano of Maryland reported Feb. 10 that he received a 2005-P California quarter in change at a truck stop.
Ernest S. Popp of South Carolina reported Feb. 10 that a 2005-P California quarter was among the receipts in a bingo game.
Beverly Smith of New Jersey reported Feb. 11 that she found a 2005-P California quarter in her change.
Frank Massaro of Arizona reported Feb. 14 that he received a 2005-D California quarter in change.
Goldie Grise of Massachusetts reported Feb. 14 that she found a 2005-D California quarter in her change from a convenience store.
Vernon Hainy of South Dakota reported Feb. 14 that he was able to get a roll of 2005-D California quarters at a bank in Mitchell.
Lori Buzzell of Maine reported Feb. 14 that the Bangor Savings Bank was the source of her 2005-P California quarter.
Circulation Reports
Joseph Bouffard of Vermont reported Feb. 11 that he found a 2005-D California quarter in the cash drawer at the store where he works.
Nick Federico of Massachusetts reported Feb. 14 that he received a 2005-P California quarter in change.
