Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 2/26/2008

Question
I was rolling coins the other day and came across this one. It's a regular U.S. quarter from 1997, but someone or something has engraved "Good Luck" in all caps across Washington's neck. I was wondering if you knew where it might have come from, or if it's just someone out there engraving quarters at home?

Answer
Hello, Amanda, I think you almost certainly got it right -- it's just someone trying out their engraving skill.  People have been doing this since the 1800s.  Maybe the piece was made for a special occasion -- given to someone before the big football game.  Jim Lawniczak