Why did they start making colored quarters?

Question

the one with states on the back. http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-Set-of-Five-Colorized-State-Quarters-P_W0QQitemZ290238543612QQihZ019QQcategoryZ105645QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Answer 1

i didnt know they did.

Answer 2

They were a limited release thing..most likely for one of the collectible gallery type places.

Answer 3

The first day the first 1999 state quarter was available at banks some dealers had the painted. At the end of the year all 50 will be available. This is done outside the mint by private companies. Serious coin collectors consider the coins damaged and in the end they have little resale value. They do look quite stunning in an oak frame on the wall though. It would be a more I like it item than one that is an investment. Silver Eagles are also painted as well as the 1976 Bicentennial coins. As to when the fad started, it goes way back to England when some coins were hand enameled. in modern times it took off in the 1970's I believe. As to why they do it, is to make money. The state quarters are also available gold plated.