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Proof in change

scooter25scooter25 Posts: 769 ✭✭✭✭

I found a 1968 proof quarter in my pocket change today. It looks as though it was recently spent, I.e. still looks proof. First time this has ever happened to me. I guess my question is, what do I do with it? It has been circulated and a 1968 proof quarter doesnt have much value, let alone one that was circulated. So do I keep it or send it back out into the world? What would you do?

Comments

  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,399 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For coins such as that I typically spend them again unless you want to build a subset of proofs found in circulation. I've only kept one such coin and it was a newer vintage proof Jefferson nickel I found in a parking lot after it had been run over several times. The affect of the damage vs. the proof surface looks cool.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Whether you keep it or put it back into circulation is your choice, the excitement is in the find.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Good question...

    It is neat to find, but had zero collector value. It is ether a memento or pocket change, at your discretion.

  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Check it for a doubled die-obverse and reverse. Obverse-date and LIBERTY Reverse-QUARTER. See the CONECA website-
    http://varietyvista.com/index.htm-for descriptions.

  • daltexdaltex Posts: 3,486 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Lowball set?

  • carabonnaircarabonnair Posts: 1,423 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think I would spend it again in hopes that it becomes a well-circulated proof one day. [And I think we all assume it is a 1968-S so it can be identified by the mint mark in the future.]

  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Railroad track candidate? I wonder if someone has done that with a proof coin before?

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Spend it.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Spend it, or send it in for grading to sell to a lowball set collector.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 34,792 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I always put them into circulation. Just no market for impaired modern proofs. A member of the junior coin club loves finding them when he searches rolls. You'd be surprised how many proofs halves he's found in rolls, along with cents and nickels.

    I keep threatening to break up any proof set that doesn't greysheet at least 30% over face and dump them in a coin star.

  • TeamDennisTeamDennis Posts: 108 ✭✭✭

    I routinely put any storage impaired proof back in circulation. Maybe it will plant a seed with a youngster My current can waiting to go to the bank just got an influx of 1938 -1956 Jefferson nickels after I pared down my collection of excess dates. Hopefully it ends up in a new collectors hands as well.

  • SaorAlbaSaorAlba Posts: 7,564 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just wait until you find proof silver.

    I have found a '53 Dime that originated as a proof.
    And a small handful of the silver state quarters.

    Tir nam beann, nan gleann, s'nan gaisgeach ~ Saorstat Albanaich a nis!
  • mannie graymannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would carry it as a pocket piece and wear it down to VF or so.
    Then it may have some appeal for lowball collectors.
    It's cool to find proofs in change.
    I would estimate I have found 20-30 over the years, most recently a 1976-S copper-nickel.

  • scooter25scooter25 Posts: 769 ✭✭✭✭

    It is cool to see what you all think. I still dont know what to do with it. Doesn't feel right to spend it

  • OnastoneOnastone Posts: 3,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I had found a proof quarter a few years ago, saved it until last week when I realized it really had no collector value. It's just neat to recognize it as a proof. I finally just spent it.

  • ms70ms70 Posts: 13,954 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 29, 2018 8:42PM

    Spend it so another eagle eyed collector enjoys finding it like you did.

    Go ahead. Make their day.

    Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have found a few proofs in change... usually I set it aside for a while... and eventually it gets spent... unless it was silver, I keep silver - Roosevelt dimes - two. Cheers, RickO

  • MASSU2MASSU2 Posts: 261 ✭✭✭✭

    I've found 4 or 5 proof Kennedy's in the same roll while roll searching once. They were all crusty and damaged so I wasn't surprised to find them. I also found a Maine statehood SILVER proof quarter in change. Other than the circulation wear on the quarter there doesn't appear to be any other damage to the coin or anything that would warrant spending.

  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Got a 1973 S Kennedy out of a roll today.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • cecropiamothcecropiamoth Posts: 969 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pulled a lot of those 70s, 80s and 90s Cu-Ni clad Kennedy proofs out of bank rolls over the years. A couple of silver Kennedy proofs too! Nearly always identifiable by the rims. A few modern proofs in change. Usually modern nickels. Best proofs in 'change' were two impaired Franklin half proofs about three years ago at a Speedway station. I always ask for halves in those places. Never know what you might come up with.

    Jeff

  • Mdcoincollector2003Mdcoincollector2003 Posts: 665 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would put it in a 2x2 because it will always be worth slightly more than a average 1968 quarter unless it gets severely damaged and it is a cool conversation piece about how you found it.

  • fiftysevenerfiftysevener Posts: 909 ✭✭✭✭

    I have found a few recently and can understand a '64 penny due to large number of '64 sets broken in the 80's. '78-S nickel and 82-S penny would take a deliberate act to open the lens.

  • WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 6,825 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I drop lot of proof cents in circulation..they are simply not worth keeping.

    WS

    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • islemanguislemangu Posts: 1,383 ✭✭✭

    Keep them. Coins collected from circulation tie us back to the root fun of numismatics. They should have their own shelf in your collection.

    RinkorRareCoins.com
  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I get a couple rolls of halves every month and primarily use them for tips. Quite interesting the reactions they create sometimes.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,588 ✭✭✭✭✭

    May I see it? :)

  • BUFFNIXXBUFFNIXX Posts: 2,718 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 5, 2018 2:23AM

    I went to my bank couple years ago and asked for some kennedy halves and there was one nice recently dumped proof in the coins i got. It was a clad proof. just as nice some times when i went they gave me some silver proof halves too.

    Collector of Buffalo Nickels and other 20th century United States Coinage
    a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,482 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Got a 1978-S Quarter in change one time. I gave it to my Nephew. He really loved the way it looked.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon

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