2001-S New York State Quarter Clad Proof : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The 2001-S New York State Quarter Clad Proof is a base-metal Proof coin issued to honor the state of New York. The circulating version of the New York quarter was released on January 2, 2001, and became the first 50 States Quarters issue for that year. The coin, authorized by the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act of 1997 (link to PDF), includes a reverse depiction of the Statue of Liberty and a geographical outline of New York State. The clad Proof was part of a collector set that could be purchased at United States Mint retail locations, through their catalog ordering system, and over the phone. The popular sets were also readily available for a small premium at brick-and-mortal coin shops nationwide.

In 1999, Mint officials invited then-Governor George Pataki (R) to compile a list of design themes for the New York Quarter. Design candidates included a scene from the Battle of Saratoga, Henry Hudson and his sailing ship Half Moon, the New York Federal Building, and the Statue of Liberty.

The coin was officially unveiled on January 8, 2001, at the New York State Museum in Albany.

What Is the Value of a 2001-S New York State Quarter Clad Proof?

The Federal Reserve did not release the 2001-S New York State Quarter Clad Proof into circulation, but if there was an incidental release from a coin collection, the value of the 2001-S New York State Quarter Clad Proof starts at 25¢, its stated value.

For the vast majority, however, the 2001-S New York State Quarter Clad Proof is sold as part of that year’s set. These sets typically sell for about $10, which would put the value of each quarter at $2. In numismatics, we consider these to be raw (ungraded) coins. Professionally certified (graded) coins tend to come in two grades: Proof 69 Deep/Ultra Cameo or Proof 70 Deep/Ultra Cameo.

* * *

Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (843, 2/2025), NGC PF70UCAM (831, 2/2025), and CAC PR70DCAM (4, 2/2025).

• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, February 12, 2025 – $13.98.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, February 1, 2025 – $9.59.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, November 15, 2024 – $14.98.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, August 7, 2024 – $9.29.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, August 5, 2024 – $10.78.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, August 3, 2024 – $12.15.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, August 1, 2024 – $14.05.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, July 30, 2024 – $12.02.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, July 28, 2024 – $13.88.

The 12 results listed above are a sample of the clad Proof quarter’s performance on eBay over the last year. A sampling of historic prices realized from major numismatic auctioneers for lots containing individual coins is given below.

• NGC PF70UCAM: Heritage, April 5, 2012, Lot 19227 – $28.
• NGC PF70UCAM: Heritage, March 20, 2012, Lot 21162 – $28.
• NGC PF70UCAM: Heritage, March 15, 2012, Lot 16217 – $20.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #73205777: “Michael Fuller Collection,” Heritage, December 4, 2007, Lot 67541 – $358.80. Michael Fuller Collection on label.

* * *

Design

Obverse:

The obverse of the 2001 New York Quarter is the first to show a modified portrait of George Washington, a design by John Flanagan based on a 1786 plaster bust by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. Sculptor-engraver William Cousins designed the newer rendition of Washington, which remains the obverse design for the quarter for the duration of the America the Beautiful Quarter series.

The redesign was necessary in part to accommodate new inscriptions on the obverse that previously were featured on the reverse of the quarter; these obverse inscriptions include the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in a semi-circular arrangement over Washington’s head, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST to his right, the word LIBERTY to his left, below his chin, and the denomination QUARTER DOLLAR along the bottom side of the rim, under the first president’s bust. The inscriptions QUARTER DOLLAR and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA were located on the reverse of Washington Quarters made from 1932 through 1998 but were relocated to the obverse to allow a wider reverse canvas area for the changing 50 States Quarter designs. Flanagan’s initials JF are in the dark area of the bust truncation, and the mintmark is to the right of Washington’s ponytail. The S mintmark of San Francisco is located below IN GOD WE TRUST.

Reverse:

Daniel Carr designed the reverse of the New York Quarter, and it was engraved by Alfred Maletsky. The theme of the quarter is denoted in the reverse inscription as GATEWAY TO FREEDOM, which is superimposed on the upper right side of a geographical outline of New York State. The most prominent design element is the Statue of Liberty, which is seen standing tall before the outline of the Empire State.

The Statue of Liberty, which welcomed millions of European immigrants entering the United States via Ellis Island during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is a symbolic reference to the coin’s “Gateway to Freedom” theme. The 151-foot-tall statue was made by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi in the 1870s and shipped to the United States in 214 crates. It was then erected atop a 154-foot-tall pedestal.

In addition to the Statue of Liberty, other elements on the reverse of the New York Quarter include the date 2001 and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM below the central design feature. At the top of the coin are the inscriptions NEW YORK and 1788, with the latter a reference to the year New York was admitted as the 11th state of the Union. Four stars along the left rim and seven stars running along the right rim collectively symbolize New York’s status as the nation’s 11th state. Under the left side of the New York state outline are Maletsky’s initials, AM.

Edge:

The edge of the 2001-S New York State Quarter Clad Proof is reeded.

Designers

American sculptor John Flanagan’s work in the medallic and metal arts ranks him as one of the best artists of his generation. For generations of coin collectors, he is best known for his Washington Quarter design (View Designer’s Profile).

William Cousins worked at the Franklin Mint from 1967 through 1990, rising to be Director of Sculpture by his departure. He began working at the United States Mint as a sculptor-engraver in 1990 and retired in 2000.

Besides the 2001 New York and Rhode Island Quarters, designer and medallist Daniel Carr has created many medals and tokens, often for organizations of a numismatic bent. He has also developed software to render his work digitally.

Sculptor Alfred Maletsky worked at the Franklin Mint from 1976 through 1992, joining the Mint as an engraver in 1993.

Coin Specifications

* * *

The post 2001-S New York State Quarter Clad Proof : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.