Expert: PAPAJACK - 2/7/2008

Question
We found a 1983 Quarter that appears to be gold in color.  Did they make some of these or is this a coin worth something other than 25 cents?

Answer
Hello Oz,                          

How clear is the Obverse of the coin? Is the design very strong and detailed?

I have heard of a few ways of this happening:
There was always the possibility of an off-metal coin blank getting stuck in the bins the mint used and ending up in another production run. (This error would have to be confirmed by an expert.)

Get a good magnifier and a light source. Examine the edge on the coin at all angles. You should see a copper center core in the coin.

If the front or back surface is kind of rough under magnification or pimply it sounds like it may have been in a chemical bath.
Someone may have plated the coin. Usually an error leaving the mint will be fairly well struck and very sharply detailed.

Many people have reported coins plated or gold-wash especially the new state quarters. This imparts a gold color and protective film on them. But this is a gimmick to sell coins and adds no value.

If you still suspect it to be a genuine error it needs to be checked by a specialist. If it is a genuine error, it will have numismatic value. But it cannot be estimated without a knowledgeable coin person seeing it.

The Item would have to be seen to be accurately appraised. A photograph would not help with this. If you write back with the general location (nearest large cities) and telephone area code or codes and some zip codes in your area, I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy.

Again most likely the coin has been plated or has a residue on it. This renders then worthless to true coin collectors. Only if the coins had come from the U.S. Mint this way would they be valuable.

I hope this information Helps.

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Good Luck