Expert: PAPAJACK - 12/6/2008

Question
I'm not sure what state the quarter is or what year but it is one of the newer
U.S. quarters. It seems to be missing the back plate with no printing on a
copper colored back that has a few scratch marks that cross.

Answer
Hello Armando,                                  

This is not Dan, I was referred your question by all experts.com team.
Are you sure there is no date on this coin?

If the coin seems to be acceptable weight, it should be 5.67 grams, and the thickness does not seem right. It should be lighter if some of the nickel cladding is missing. There is a de-lamination error where part or all of the Nickel-Cladding falls away from the copper core of the coin after it is struck.

The most collectable ones seem to have the delaminated part of the coin still with them when they are sold. The value to an error coin collector depends on which side is missing heads or tails and how much is missing, how well the parts that are there were struck with the design.

This is a fairly common error. The U.S. Mint buys strips of metal about 13 inches wide and 1,500 feet long to manufacture the clad coins. As the coil of Nickel Clad material comes near the end of a roll, the thickness and composition is not always in specification.

I see coins as I described for sale for $10 or less depending on denomination and other conditions like damage and how much of the coin is fully struck. Yours could be worth more or less.

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.
If you write back with
1) The general location (nearest large cities) and,
2) Some postal zip codes in the area of the coin.

Use the private question option by checking the box on the question page. I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy.

I hope this information helps.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack