Odd RI quarter (error?) found in change...
lordmarcovan
Posts: 43,608 ✭✭✭✭✭
My friend Billy recently bought this coin for five bucks, from somebody who got it in change in a convenience store.
At first he was asking me about the value of blank quarter planchets, but then he realized it did have some design elements... barely.
It's a Rhode Island quarter.
On the obverse, there's a trace of Washington's neck and some of his ponytail.
On the reverse, you can see the sail of the boat and part of the bridge behind, with "STA" of the word STATE. At the bottom of the reverse, E PLURIBUS UNUM is partially visible. There is no reeding on the edge.
So, is this some sort of bizarre PMD that obliterated the central details of the coin? If so, how did it leave the rims somewhat raised?
Or was it struck through grease? Wouldn't there be some trace reeding if that were the case?
Or is it just a really really weak strike, as I suspect?
If it's a legitimate error, what's the ballpark value?
The scans below exaggerate some of the scuffiness of the coin, and wash out the images a bit. In hand, it is brighter, like a normal quarter would be. It does not appear to have been etched by acid or anything like that.
At first he was asking me about the value of blank quarter planchets, but then he realized it did have some design elements... barely.
It's a Rhode Island quarter.
On the obverse, there's a trace of Washington's neck and some of his ponytail.
On the reverse, you can see the sail of the boat and part of the bridge behind, with "STA" of the word STATE. At the bottom of the reverse, E PLURIBUS UNUM is partially visible. There is no reeding on the edge.
So, is this some sort of bizarre PMD that obliterated the central details of the coin? If so, how did it leave the rims somewhat raised?
Or was it struck through grease? Wouldn't there be some trace reeding if that were the case?
Or is it just a really really weak strike, as I suspect?
If it's a legitimate error, what's the ballpark value?
The scans below exaggerate some of the scuffiness of the coin, and wash out the images a bit. In hand, it is brighter, like a normal quarter would be. It does not appear to have been etched by acid or anything like that.
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Comments
<< <i>It's a NICE die adjustment or weak strike. Definitely not struck thru grease due to the missing reeded edge. >>
<< <i>Billy was just passing through on his way home from work, and my wife had the camera with her, so all I could do was some quickie scans of it. I didn't think to put it on the digital scale. Maybe if and when he brings it back I can do that. I called him and told him goodmoney4badmoney's value assessment, and asked if he wanted me to sell it for him here. He said yeah, so whenever he comes back around, I guess I'll do that. When I've got it in hand I can weigh it, I guess. >>
By the way, my assessment is the minimum I would want to sell it for if I owned it, it could sell for more.
www.brunkauctions.com
the side view looks like it.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
If and when Billy brings it back to consign it to me, I'll try to take other pictures (with a camera instead of the scanner), and weigh it.
On the other hand it may sell well on ebay.
<< <i>Maybe it's just wear. Send it to PCGS for a p-1 grade then sell it to a lowball registry collector. >>
Aah, but wear, particularly the amount of wear necessary to bring it down to a PO01 grade, would not have left the raised rims so high.
Nor would it have obliterated all traces of the reeding so effectively. There'd still be a reeding line or two left on the edge, most likely.
To me it looks like a legitimate die adjustment strike. As for value, I think $75 is a little low - heck, I would pay $75 without much thought. On eBay if marketed right I think it would be a $100-125 coin.
Ben
<< <i>Maybe it's just wear. Send it to PCGS for a p-1 grade then sell it to a lowball registry collector. >> Aah, but wear, particularly the amount of wear necessary to bring it down to a PO01 grade, would not have left the raised rims so high. Nor would it have obliterated all traces of the reeding so effectively. There'd still be a reeding line or two left on the edge, most likely. >>
I know that-I was joking -but it does bring up a question- Would PCGS grade it? and what would it grade if they did?
Bob
<< <i> Not sure Rob, but the rims look awful strongly struck for that weak a die trial. >>
Rims are relatively strong looking due to be run through the upset mill,,,,, commonly called a "Type 2" planchet.
Billy should be bringing it back by tomorrow for me. I'll try to shoot photos of it instead of scans, and put it on the digital scale.