San Francisco opens Golden Gate

When I learned that the U.S. Mint is striking regular circulation quality quarters in San Francisco for the first time since 1954, I was excited.

I digested the details:

• the coins only will be sold to collectors by the 40-coin roll an 100-coin bag

• 1.4 million of each of the five America the Beautiful designs will be produced

• the coins will go on sale starting June 21

I found myself antsy about knowing the price, but that wasn’t all. Naturally, as I collector I want more.

What about striking “S” cents for the first time since 1974?

How about striking “S” nickels for the first time since 1970?

A new “S” dime for the first time since 1955 would be nice as would a first “S” half dollar since 1954.

Then there are the dollar coins. Five designs are struck each year. Putting an “S” on some would be the first time since 1935 that circulation quality dollars would have that mintmark.

As you might have guessed, I am not counting the uncirculated “S” 40-percent silver coins struck for collectors in the Eisenhower series or the quarter, half and dollar for the Bicentennial in 1976. They were not of the same composition as the standard circulating coinage.

Of course, if the Mint would strike all the denominations at San Francisco that would open the door to the possibility of a set of these coins, or adding them to the regular uncirculated coin set.

That’s the fun of being a collector.

There is nothing to restrain my thoughts as I consider the many possibilities raised by these new San Francisco quarters.

If these new quarters sell out quickly, we might be well on our way to turning these other possibilities into reality.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."