missing copper layer in a state quarter?

mcmxi

A friend asked what I could find out about this quarter. There is no evedence of copper anywhere on it. The fields seem a little more depressed than normal. It weigs the right amount, but my scale isn't the greatest. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I WEIGHED IT TODAY AT 5.6 Grams

ajbauman

I would say that is either a "layered" quarter (e.g. platinum, silver) or possible a silver proof.

I can't really see the luster from the pictures, but if it has a lot of luster it might be a one of the above.

If the luster looks flat, I would say that it must have been struck on an incorrect planchet although I couldn't say what type.

jamakin

check the weight of the coin

mcmxi

The luster is what you would expect on a quarter. nothing about it looks to me like it has been layered. The mint mark excludes it from being a silver proof. The weight is within tolerance (according to the scale I was using)

jamakin

Maybe a planchet error?
Does it sound like a silver coin? Give it a tap , silver coinage has MUCH differnt sound to it than clad.

Rob790

most likely just plated

SilverEagles92

99.9% sure it's either silver or platinum plated.

Rob790

<< <i>99.9% sure it's either silver or platinum plated. >>



I'd vote nickel.

rgCoinGuy

<< <i>most likely just plated >>





At least one pic post of month comes up with these. Maybe one day someone will find a legit one, but I haven't seen one that isn't plated yet on here!

mcmxi

How would I be able to tell if it is plated? I thought the plated coins come out shiny.

Coin Finder

Is it thinner than a normal quarter?

notwilight

Weigh it. It doesn't look like a circulated proof but it could be a circulation strike on a proof planchet, but it still doesn't look soft enough to be silver. I would agree it is likely plated--although probably not for any purpose other than perhaps the guy running the plating machine looked in his pocket to find something for a test run. --Jerry

edit: I reread your description and if it is a circulation strike on a proof planchet the striking pressure might be higher than required for silver resulting in slightly overstruck condition.

Steve27

I think its a normal clad quarter, with the outer layer covering the copper on the edge. I've seen this often with 40% silver Kennedys.

jdimmick

I glad this came up, I had the local K & W cafeteria clerk were I frequent find one in change. It looks exactly the same. I was originally thinking a business strike struck on silver proof planchet, but it didnt ring like silver. Ill bet its one of those platinum plated coins or silver plated as I have spent countles numbers of th platinum plated my self when they come in with collections.
JIm

19Lyds

<< <i>I think its a normal clad quarter, with the outer layer covering the copper on the edge. I've seen this often with 40% silver Kennedys. >>



The biggest difference Steve is that the core of a 40% Kennedy is not copper colored as it is an 80% copper 20% Silver alloy which is exactly the same as the Eisenhower Dollars. I've seen "darkened" edges on these 40% clad coins but never a copper edge.

The OP's coin is more than likely a silver plating which an accurate weight would reveal.

A coppernickel clad quarter should weigh around 5.7 grams whereas a 90% Silver coin would weigh in at 6.3 grams.
If the OP's coin weighs 5.8 or 5.9 then its a plate job.

It is definitely not a circulated silver proof because regardless of wear, some mirroring would show up.

mcmxi

I will try to find a more accurate scale and get back to you. I have gotten some of those plated quarters in the past and it dosen't look like those. I'm not trying to say it isn't plated just that it dosen't look like the others.

mcmxi

It weighs in at 5.6 grams. I threw 5 other state quarters on there and they all came out the same.

mcmxi

anyone????

rgCoinGuy

I still say plated, possibly nickel or silver, I would think you could scrape in one of the reeded edges and see if there is copper underneath, it wouldn't be very deep. Of course, if I am wrong, that may upset its value. I know there was another thread like this not long ago where someone said they work in an electoplating shop and do this all the time (put them in a nickel bath) then drop them into circulation.

Edited to add, they all stated, IIRC, that the weight didn't change much if at all.

Edited to add one more thing, weighing other CLAD quarters and they weigh the same, probably tells you it is NOT silver, as it would weigh different from the clads.

notwilight

<< <i>It weighs in at 5.6 grams. I threw 5 other state quarters on there and they all came out the same. >>



That's the right weight for clad...must be plated. There are lots of plating processes and it could have just been a hand test piece put back in the pocket and spent. --Jerry

tmot99

I'd take some sandpaper and/or a sharp metal object and scratch at the edge to see if you can get a little plating off to see if there is copper underneath.

LincolnsRule

I got a P Missouri in change today just like this, also seemingly missing the copper layer.