Ps and Ds spark hunt for elusive coins

Instead of minding my Ps and Qs, I’ve been minding my Ps and Ds.

All for naught.

I am one of the clever 18 bazillion collectors saving those interesting new state quarters. I thought it would be nice for grandchildren, surely I will have some grandkids some day, to help grandma sort through the quarter box I started way back in the old millennium.

I was plugging along nicely, until my daughter, Kati, said I had to find both Philadelphia and Denver mint quarters. I had tons of Denvers but only one Philadelphia in my stash. The Ps and Ds are located on the front of the coins at about the 4 o’clock position.

I look like Dr. Watson with my magnifying glass reading the little letters on my silver spheres.

Needing both mints made the state quarter hunt more intense. I recently went to Reno and spent my time buying rolls of quarters, sorting out the state finds, then selling back the change for paper money.

I only found two Ps in Reno. Here I thought gamblers from around the country would have plunked several Ps in the slot machines. They must all be taking their Ps to Atlantic City.

I might call my Uncle Neal in Virginia and see if he wants to swap Ps and Ds through the mail. I wanted to find out how valuable the quarters might end up.

I found professional advice. Jeff Smith of Everett, an admitted purveyor of junk, has collected coins for four decades. It’s such an overwhelming hobby, one might want to specialize. Smith, 55, is particularly interested in old Lincoln pennies.

He hunts with his buddy, Walter White, 55, also of Everett. They collect teddy bears, cookie jars and Teddy Roosevelt items at garage sales and swap meets. They haven’t found the elusive "big daddy" Lincoln penny, a 1909 S-VDB that is worth thousands of dollars. The duo settle for lesser treasures.

"It’s nice to find a coin worth $8 to $10 in a sack of pennies," Smith said. "We try to make it fun."

If you want to wheel and deal in pennies, call Smith at 425-252-0500.

Smith isn’t keeping a bunch of the state quarters. I think he is on to something. Mints are producing more than 700 million of each issue.

I can’t see what future enhanced value the circulated quarters will have with that many being produced. Serious collectors are squirreling uncirculated quarters that are worth more than versions that already passed hands at the 7-Eleven.

The state quarter program runs until 2008, with five new quarters released every year, about one every 10 weeks. The quarters are being released in the order that the states joined the union. Each quarter will feature a different design on the back.

The state quarter embodies what Smith loves about coins.

"To me, they tell history," he said. "Coins are art."

Smith owns an 1853 penny. He told his son that Abraham Lincoln was alive when the coin appeared.

"The state quarters make me feel good because they are arousing the public interest in the hobby," he said. "Collect what you can afford, what you like."

He suggested I try finding P quarters at a federal reserve bank.

Jeannette Mitchell, vice president/manager at Frontier Bank in Everett, is saving a few state quarters for relatives.

"We don’t always get a huge supply," Mitchell said. "We get the Denver mint quarters."

Customers can find Ps at the bank as coins do circulate around the country. Some tellers set aside state quarters so they are available for those who ask for them, she said.

Avid collectors can always shop coin stores, the secondary market or the Internet. Smith checked a catalog and noticed a roll of uncirculated Delaware state quarters could be purchased for about $60.

That would be the day, when I would pay $60 for $10 worth of quarters. With 700 million being made of each state, I think I will stay pretty casual about my collection.

The whole hobby could have landed me in hot water the other day. I’ve been contemplating getting one of those United States wall maps to display my coins. I have been waiting to find one with spots for mounting both Ps an Ds.

I thought I found one at a little shop at the mall. I held a sealed package with a map in one hand while I scanned an open model on display. Darn. It didn’t hold both the Ps and Ds.

I walked out of the store and waltzed down the mall, then realized I still clutched the sealed model I didn’t buy.

That’s an awful feeling.

I rushed back to the store and threw myself on the mercy of the shopkeeper. He believed I wasn’t shoplifting, but probably wondered about the weird lady who left his store mumbling about her Ps and Ds.

Kristi’s Notebook appears Tuesdays and Fridays. If you have an idea for her, call 425-339-3451 or send information to

o’harran@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

x
$14.5M property tax levy lid lift moves forward in Edmonds

After a public hearing, the City Council voted 5-2 to place the resolution on next week’s consent agenda for final approval.

Mikki Burkholder, left, and Sean Seifert pull drafts Friday afternoon at 5 Rights Brewery in Marysville on October 8, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
5 Rights celebrates 10 years in Marysville

During a challenging time for the US craft beer industry, 5 Rights continues to enjoy growth and an uptick in sales.

Wine is illuminated on a large win rack at the center of the main room at Long Shadows Woodinville Tasting Room & Key Club Lounge on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 in Woodinville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two winery restaurants in Woodinville stand out

You wouldn’t expect to get world-class pizza at a winery,… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.