Expert: PAPAJACK - 5/10/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi I wonder if you could hekp me I have just found a 2002 P quarter which is half ok but half the color of a cent could you tell me about this and if it is worth anything.  Thanks for your time.
ANSWER: Hello Sue,        

In the minting process, the blanks that coins are minted from are cut from long strips of metal made like a sandwich with a copper nickel alloy for the outer layers and the center metal is made of just copper. This is what you see on the edge of normal coins.

As the strips reach the end they are not completely plated, either on one side or both. Then when the blank planchets are cut out of the strips, they will be missing the silver looking Nickel Layer on one or both sides.

The defective or blank planchets will continue undetected, through the mechanized minting process, and have the design stamped into them giving you what looks like an almost normal coin, except for the copper color on one side or both.

This happens pretty often, more than you think, because with the billions of coins produced every year, it is impossible to visually inspect every coin, and the mechanical sorting machines and other processes that sort out error coins can not detect this error.

Values vary for unclad planchet error has been from $3-$10 depending on strike and denomination. Usually errors collectors pay more.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I just wanted to check as this coin is not one side copper colored but both sides half way up (my husband says it has been dipped in something?) but I would like to hope that it is an unusual coin, can you help? Thanks again Sue

Answer
Hello Again Sue,          

I can direct you to a trustworthy coin person in your area. With out seeing the coin it is only a guess as to how it was made.

Write me back in a private  question and let me know your general location using
1) the nearest large cities and
2) some telephone area codes and
3) some zip codes in your area, I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy.

Thank you for your confidence in us here.
Please remember to rate this answer at the bottom of this page. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack