Q. David Bowers
(Also see preceding listings)
Dates on coins: 1938 (also 1836 and 1936)
Date when coins were actually minted: 1938
Mints used: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Maximum quantity authorized: 500,000 (maximum total for all issues 1935 onward) Total quantity minted (including assay coins): 6,006 Philadelphia, 6,005 Denver, 6,006
San Francisco
Assay coins (included in above): 6 Philadelphia, 5 Denver, 6 San Francisco
Quantity melted: None
Net number distributed (including assay coins): 3,156 Philadelphia, 3,155 Denver, 3,156 San Francisco
Issued by: Arkansas Centennial Commission, War Memorial Building, Little Rock, Arkansas (A.W. Parke, secretary); remainder sets sold after 1939 were offered by A.W. Parke, Box 189, Little Rock, Arkansas
Standard original packaging: Wood-grain pattern, hinged boxes with impressions for three coins, arranged in the shape of an inverted pyramid; the interior is either black or green. Unprinted
Official sale price: $8.75 postpaid per set of three; $10 after July 1, 1938; $12 on and after March 1, 1940
(average market prices)
1940 MS-63 $12
1945 MS-63 $17
1950 MS-63 $21
1955 MS-63 $42
1960 MS-63 $60
1965 MS-63 $80
1970 MS-63 $65
1975 MS-63 $220
1980 MS-63 $1,300
1985 MS-63 $750
1986 MS-60 $500, MS-63 $800, MS-64 $2,150, MS-65 $4,200
1990 (spring) MS-60 $400, MS-63 $610, MS-64 $1,500, MS-65 $4,450
1990 (December) MS-60 $330, MS-63 $510, MS-64 $800, MS-65 $1,950
Notes: To find the price of a single coin, divide by three (and add a small premium, for sets usually sell for slightly less on a per-coin basis than single specimens). The run-up in prices for MS-65 1938 and 1939 Arkansas sets peaking in spring 1990 is explained by their demand by investors (not collectors). After the peak, investor demand slackened considerably, and prices fell accordingly.
(Also see preceding listings)
Dates on coins: 1939 (also 1836 and 1936)
Date when coins were actually minted: 1939
Mints used: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Maximum quantity authorized: 500,000 (maximum total for all issues 1935 onward)
Total quantity minted (including assay coins): 2,104 Philadelphia, 2,104 Denver, 2,105 San Francisco
Assay coins (included in above): 4 Philadelphia, 4 Denver, 5 San Francisco
Quantity melted: None
Net number distributed (including assay coins): 2,104 Philadelphia, 2,104 Denver, 2,105 San Francisco
Issued by: Arkansas Centennial Commission, War Memorial Building, Little Rock, Arkansas (A.W. Parke, secretary)
Standard original packaging: Wood-grain pattern, hinged boxes with impressions for three coins, arranged in the shape of an inverted pyramid; the interior is either black or green. Unprinted
Official sale price: $10 per set of three
Interesting fact: This issue was advertised in autumn 1938 and stated to be sold out before the 1939 year began (i.e., before the coins were struck).
(average market prices)
1940 MS-63 $26
1945 MS-63 $60
1950 MS-63 $65
1955 MS-63 $135
1960 MS-63 $285
1965 MS-63 $340
1970 MS-63 $315
1975 MS-63 $610
1980 MS-63 $2,600
1985 MS-63 $1,250
1986 MS-60 $920, MS-63 $1,300, MS-64 $3,100, MS-65 $6,600
1990 (spring) MS-60 $850, MS-63 $1,200, MS-64 $2,300, MS-65 $6,000
1990 (December) MS-60 $700, MS-63 $890, MS-64 $1,200, MS-65 $3,000
Notes: To find the price of a single coin, divide by three (and add a small premium, for sets usually sell for slightly less on a per-coin basis than single specimens). By early 1939 dealers were paying $15 for sets.